Page 223 of I Will Break You

“That’s good, right?”

I grunt.

The air grows colder as we continue through thetunnel, which narrows the closer we get to the buildings around the cemetery.

“So, what’s the problem?” he asks.

“There’s only so much I can teach her in a controlled environment,” I reply with a sigh.

“That’s the same with all assassins.”

“But she’s a civilian,” I mutter. “And a target.”

He blows out a breath. “Then we’ll have to put everything we have into taking down X-Cite Media.”

Jynxson launches into a plan of attack, outlining how we can destroy the house and out-of-town studio, but I’m listening with half an ear. He’s only talking to fill the space, because we both know Amethyst’s problem is bigger than just a snuff movie studio.

Any mother who wants their child dead is a monster, but one who would engineer her daughter to be gang-raped and murdered in front of cameras is a special kind of evil.

We could kill every bastard associated with those movies, but it wouldn’t be enough to protect Amethyst. Not while her mother still draws breath.

“I’ll put pressure on the Spring brothers to keep digging,” he says. “Dolly is still out there, dishing out orders. We have her email address. It’s only a matter of time before Tyler hacks into her account and traces her location.”

Leaning back in the seat, I cradle Amethyst to my chest. “Time is a luxury. If Dolly can’t get Amethyst, she’ll target a substitute, like she did with Lizzie Bath.”

When we reach the tunnels on the edge of the cemetery, Jynxson pauses to let me disembark, and I continue on foot through the underground walkway that leads to 15 Parisii Drive.

Amethyst stirs, her soft curls brushing my face. “Xero,” she murmurs. “I think I know the next target they’ll take if they can’t find me. It’s my best friend, Myra.”

NINETY-FOUR

AMETHYST

It took me a while to grasp the message about Mom. She made no secret of considering me a burden, but I thought the worst she could do was send me to an institution. That’s why it took so long to realize Myra could be a target.

The moment I return to the crawlspace, I call my best friend, who bursts into tears at the sound of my voice.

“Where have you been?” she asks. “I came round to the house, but it’s empty. The old lady next door said it’s for sale.”

My jaw clenches at the reminder that Mom has already cleared out my possessions. “I’m safe.”

“I’ve been so worried. Tell me where you are, and I’ll drive over?—”

“No,” I say. “It’s too dangerous.”

She falls silent for several heartbeats, filling the receiver with the sound of her frantic breaths. “Is this connected to the Well Hung Man and Dick Johnson?”

“Yes.” I rub the back of my neck. “No… Kind of.”

“Because the day after you came to see me at the store, that woman who runs the Unofficial Xero fan club dredged up videos we shot from the book fair. She also said people reported you leaving with them.”

Any other time, I would grind my teeth at the reminder ofLizzie Bath trying to get me into trouble to gain clout. Now, my stomach lurches at the memory of her grisly death.

“She’s disappeared,” Myra says. “Her videos are online, so she hasn’t been banned. She just stopped posting.”

“Are you still staying in that apartment?” I ask.

“Yeah. Why?”