-13-

Expression

A knock sounded at the window.

Erwin slowly set his book on the side table and leaned forward in the chair. The room was several stories up 'were his ears playing tricks on him?

'Erwin! ' came a muffled yell. 'Open the fucking window. '

Levi?

He strode to the window and tore open the curtain. Through the glass, he could see Levi 's face, his nose and mouth coated in blood.

Heart pounding, Erwin threw open the window and thrust out a hand to help him in. 'Were you followed? '

'That 's your first question? ' Levi struggled through the window frame and dropped to his knees on the carpet, breathing hard. 'No, I wasn 't followed, and I wouldn 't have led anyone here even if I had been. I only came through the window because I would 've terrified the lobby staff. '

'Is this your blood? '

'Yeah. '

Erwin dropped to one knee and gingerly touched Levi 's jaw, his chin, his nose. Levi cursed and pulled away.