-

27-

Trust

A roar sounded from the next alley over: 'Kill him! Take the blond one alive. '

Erwin 's jaw set.

They 've spotted Levi.

He opened up the gas tanks, rocketing toward the source of the voice.

The alley opened up beneath him. At least a dozen people surrounded Levi, but he was holding his ground, so swift that he was able to hold them all off at once. A few lay wounded in the fringes.

In the shadows, outside the fray, metal glinted. It took Erwin a moment to recognize a rifle barrel. The bartender was taking aim at Levi.

Erwin plummeted, crossing the flats of his blades in front of him just before impact. Thiemo turned to him, eyes wide, and tried to take a shot. The blade flats connected with his chest. A bullet whizzed past Erwin 's ear as the two of them slammed to the ground.