The knife in his hand holds steady even as his vision swims a little, bloodrush and exhaustion taking equal tolls. Still, it doesn't take long for his mind to catch up to his instincts. Astrid is not an enemy; he is in the Gallows, not a Venatori prison; he is as safe as a spy inside enemy territory can be.

His arms lowers, slowly at first, and then he crumples back onto the bed, heaving an exhausted sigh as he goes.

"But in a sexy, rogueish way, right?"