Albedo advanced through the alley without losing her smile.
The man guarding the entrance pulled a short knife from his waist and walked toward her, clearly believing he was facing an ordinary woman who had made the mistake of following the thief. The others showed no concern. One continued counting the coins while another opened the purse in search of something more valuable.
"You should have kept walking," the first man said.
"I was bored."
He tried to grab her arm.
Albedo caught his wrist before contact and squeezed only hard enough to crush the bones. The man opened his mouth to scream, but she struck his throat with her other hand. The impact caved in his neck and threw him against the alley wall.
His body fell lifeless.
The others finally understood that something was wrong.
