Magdalena’s back hit the brick wall of the alley with shuddering intensity, the impact delivering a sharp jolt of pain up her spine. Where her temple collided with the stones left an echoing throbbing that reached her eyes, which were growing hazy. With slow realization of the situation at hand, Magdalena raised her forearms in feeble defence.

“Empty your fucking pockets— and hand over the phone,...

The blood pounded in her ears like a drum, the ballad frantic and uncoordinated as dust scuffed under her boots in a background symphony. If she swallowed, she’d taste the blood of her swelling lip. Sharp as a thorn on her tongue, and as bitter as betrayal.

“Leave her alone— She didn’t,” Leviathan’s voice faltered, stuttering off into a choked gasp. Her throat constricted around the words, like p...