—grabs the knife, yanks it with abrupt force; whether it’s dislodged or not, her hand is there after and presses hard against the wound

[and the other arches over his back and pulls tight, trying to keep him still

[and she will stay in that embrace if it kills her, if he chokes her, because she wants to heal him. He’ll feel it, if it works.

[“Someone like me.” Whatever Akechi may be.

[Aubrey loves him.]