Heaven's Crime (gxg) ✓

thirty-two. name one thing hotter than a girl in a suit

              "Do you know her?"  

               Bastian's question. Raw with fear.

               "Yes," I say proudly, as Veah pulls out two swords. "That's my girlfriend."

                There is chaos―pandemonium. I see people running as bullets begin to fly, and it is a free-for-all war with only one way out.

                 In order to get out of here, they're going to have to go through Veah.

                 There must be a hundred people here.

                 But Veah isn't alone. Ren and Maiko push through the curtains, exchanging a glance with each other.

                  Mai gives the crowd a bloodthirsty smile.

                  Someone―I recognize him as the man who ordered Pierce to take off her shirt―pounces on her. Maybe he figures she is a weakness, an easy target. For a moment, her name forms on my lips in an attempt to warn her. 

                   But before my voice can even escape me, she throws something at him.

                   It is sharp and silver and shaped like a star.

                    Tommy probably would have died on the spot. He loves badass weapons more than he loves pistachio ice cream. And I know from watching movies that what Maiko just threw is called a shuriken. A throwing star.

                     It rips across the man's throat. With a splutter of red, he goes down.

                     From across the neon lights of the club, my eyes meet Veah's.

                     I am still locked in Bastian's grip. His forearm tightens over my throat, as though he realizes he has found leverage.

                     Despite the music and the new sound of screaming, Veah tilts her head. A question. Did you get it?

                      Without looking away, I nod. I got it. 

                      It isn't the written formula, but there was a reason I tried to help Pierce. I saw the blue trail of crystal powder on the edge of the table, and I slipped a few beads into my pocket. 

                     We have something to work with.

                     I might only be an engineering and math major, but I'm not a child genius for nothing. Chemistry is one of my strongest skills. All I need now is a lab.

                     And to get away from Bastian.

                    "You know," I say, as Veah begins to cross the dance floor, slicing her way towards me, "you could have a little more manners. My girlfriend is more of a gentleman than you are."

                   "I have a hard time believing that," Bastian hisses against my neck. "The most deadly assassin in Tokyo city is a gentleman, is she?"

                  "That's right," I say, ramming my head back into his nose.

                  He lets out a shout of pain. His grip tightens, until I can hardly breathe.

                  "Better luck next time," he whispers.

                   Right before I ram my knee between his legs, I ask him, "How do you know all of that, anyway? About Magic and the four elements?"