She and Annan each kept busy in their own way. After two days of this, the McKennan Clan announced that the Bloody Battle would begin in three days. Rus had found several razor-sharp daggers as thin as cicada wings, while Annan still had nothing.
No. I have to contact Greyfur Rat's wife as soon as possible.
He could leave the city-state and get beyond the reach of the Fel Energy to contact Free City, then have them reach his brother's wife. But there probably wasn't enough time.
Or... he could reveal his true identity and announce that he was right here!
It was risky. The McKennan Ratfolk knew he had been involved in the Red-Eye Clan's downfall. But a "Succubus impersonating Annan Reeves" could avoid a wanted notice while catching his brother's wife's attention.
First, though, he had to convince Rus.
The bad news was that Rus had met him. If she exposed him, things would get troublesome.
The good news was that Rus wasn't too bright. Annan was confident he could fool her.
That night, Rus came back from outside and set down a pile of things. She was about to head out again when Annan stopped her.
"I need to tell you something."
"I'm out of money!" Rus yelled on reflex, backing toward the window, ready to jump out at any moment.
"I'm not asking for money... I think your plan to enter the Bloody Battle is clever." Annan opened with praise to put her at ease. "But it isn't foolproof. I have another good idea. Together, the two plans would give us a backup."
"What idea?"
"Look, the Rat King belongs to the Red-Eye Clan, right? And the Red-Eye Clan was wiped out by those human Legion things, right? And those human Legion things take orders from