I walked into our train's cabin like I hadn't just dismantled fourteen living weapons with a piece of glass and half a lung collapsed.
The tile floor under my boots was too clean.
Elliot looked up first. His eyes widened. Anika turned her head in the same instant, blindfold still tied across her face, but her senses were sharp—too sharp for the casual lie I was already preparing.
"Mr. Jester?" Elliot stood. "What the hell happened to you?"
I glanced down.
My suit was torn at the shoulders, blood staining the fabric in deep maroon patches that hadn't dried yet. The sleeve was nearly gone on the left side, and one of my ribs had started showing through the open seam. My shirt collar was stiff with dried blood, and glass still glittered in my hair like someone had tried to crown me with it.
"Minor...mishap," I said. "The vending machine put up a fight."
Elliot blinked.
Anika tilted her head slightly. "You are a terrible liar," she said flatly.
