Shadows Behind The Veil.

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nto the Unknowns

cision that spoke of experience, of countless escapes. Jia sat in the passenger seat, arms crossed, her gaze fixed on

guilt of leaving her cousin behind. Wei had promised it was for her pr

e finally asked, breakin

at her. His voice was clipped, all business. "You'll be

ia pressed, turning to face

ripping the steering wheel. "Let

ng her tone. "I didn't ask for your help, Mr. Zhang. I

ith something unreadable. "This isn't a gam

ing in. She hated how easily he unsettled her,

rst, scanning the area before motioning for her to follow. Jia hesitated, clutch

n, sparsely furnished, with no trace of the lu

them. "There's food in the kitchen, a spare bedroom up

folding her arms. "Wha

rd a small cabinet in the corner. He opened i

Is this what you do? Live like thi

don't get to the top of my world

ave to like it," she m

d slightly. "I do

ia wanted to push him, to demand answers about his world and why he had dra

e said finally, headin

ia

, turning t

aid, his voice low

gone almost as quickly as it appeared, replaced by his usual stoic mask. Without a wo

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ed to his ear. "It was a warning," he said quietly, h

Jia couldn't make out the words from where she

nued. "I need names. And

careful not to make a sound, but the creak of the wooden floor betray

asked, slipping his p

itted, descending the stairs

f the couch, crossing his arm

he pressed, nar

the people I

guard. "Why?" she asked softl

but he quickly masked it with his usual intensity. "

he repeated

lmost to himself. "But you saved me once

d-of a young boy, bruised and frightened, hiding in

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