Chapter Two: The Man Who Heard Secrets

The desire amplified by the key had consumed every caution, leaving only the need to destroy. "Where is the man?" Shen Yan asked. Han froze. Minglan turned. "What man?" "I don't know!" Han raised a lighter. "I didn't lock him there. Master Gu told me—" As the flame appeared, a metal badge rolled from beneath the driver's seat. A nightingale was engraved on its face, thirteen grooves on its reverse. Minglan struck the lighter from Han's hand. Flame met gasoline and raced blue across the floor. Shen Yan dragged Han toward the door, but Minglan moved into the fire to retrieve the badge. A beam cracked overhead. Shen Yan turned, threw her down, and burning wood grazed his back. They stumbled outside into fine rain.