Flashback ( PDFDrive )

Territories. The monocle pendants that the Black Swan gave them
when they swore fealty had a special lens set into the curve of dark
metal. And when Biana hurled hers into the force field that Ruy had
been hiding behind, the energy hit the glass and exploded, covering
Ruy in white flames.
If Sophie tried the same method now, she’d be the one showered
with fire. And she’d have to take out three members of the Neverseen
by herself with only one throwing star.
She’d call that plan B.
Not that plan A sounded a whole lot better.
Her panic-switch ring was carefully hidden under her glove, and if
she pressed the center stone, it would send Dex an alert and allow him
to track her. She hated using it, because it meant asking him to risk
his life—but she knew he’d tell her that that’s what he’d designed it
for.
And he’d have his bodyguard with him.
But . . . Dex and Lovise would still be outnumbered—and totally
unprepared, since the ring didn’t let her warn them about what they’d
be facing. She’d have to suggest that as an upgrade.
Assuming they survived . . .
“You’ve gone quiet,” Gethen noted. “Beginning to grasp the gravity
of your situation? Or are you still trying to think of a way out? Or
maybe you’re realizing that if you’d used the weapon you’re holding
when you first saw us, you would’ve had a better chance than you did
with your pathetic inflicting.”
“Actually, I’m waiting for you to tell me what you want,” she said,
pressing the center of her ring before she could change her mind.