“Maybe.” Amal stepped back and crouched in front of him. “Tell me
about your escape.”
The Ripper’s catlike eyes flashed to me before settling on Amal.
“Kahanov and I escaped together. But you already knew that.”
“How did you coordinate the escape? Were you two friends? Where did
you intend to go?” she pressed.
“So many questions.” The Ripper smiled, but Amal’s claws extended, and
he froze. “We weren’t friends, but he was my neighbor, and when you’re in
this place long enough, you take what you can get. The plan was his. I helped
him slip past the guards, and once we got free, we were supposed to meet up
with the Viper. She was going to get us out of Magic Side.”
“The Viper?” Amal glanced back at me, but I hadn’t heard the name
before.
“Can’t tell you anything about her. We never managed to meet up.
Kahanov ditched me the second we reached the northern dock. So instead, I
did what I do best.” A bloodthirsty grin spread across his face, and I couldn’t
restrain myself any longer.
I stepped forward and punched him, careful not to break his jaw but
ensuring I felt his nose crunch. He howled and clutched his bloody face.
As the Ripper’s cries subsided to the whimpers of a wounded beast, Amal
gave me a sharp look, then folded her arms and continued her interrogation.
“Where was the Viper going to take you?” Irritation colored her voice, but
she kept her cool.
“Don’t. Know,” he replied, his answer distorted by the hand he used to
stanch the bleeding. “Like I said, Kahanov ditched me, and I wasn’t privy to
the details of his plan.”
“Is that all you have for us?”
The Ripper nodded but I sensed his lie, and my patience was running thin.
I unleashed my alpha presence and let my claws extend. Amal tensed, and the
devil shrank further into the corner, averting his eyes. “S-stop. I’ve told you