#Chapter 72 Renee

I clenched my hands in my lap, my throat dry. "I thought I did." Her gaze slid toward me, narrowing slightly. "You keep making choices that suggest otherwise." My heartbeat thundered in my ears. “I’m not weak.” Her lips twitched, not quite a smile. “No. You’re not. But strength without caution isn’t bravery—it’s stupidity.” I set my jaw. "I'm not sure if I should take that advice from you. Aren't you the one always getting into a fight?" "Have you ever heard of me losing a fight, Renee?" I grimaced at that. "Are you saying I'm a loser?" "I'm saying you don't plan to win and thus plan to lose." The weight of her words settled heavily between us as the city lights streaked by outside. I didn’t know yet if she was warning me, threatening me, or trying to protect me. Maybe it was all three. I really wanted it to at least still be protective. I opened my mouth to manage some sort of reply, but Arielle’s sharp tone cut me off. "If it's not an oath to do better, I don't