"I don't want allies." Clove's eyes narrowed, but she held tears at bay. Anger, hurt, fear. All of it was welling deep, and she didn't know what to do with it. She wanted to kill, but that would get her killed. "I don't trust anyone, and no one should trust me. Did that, didn't work, not doing it again." Her hand shifted on her knife, reminding herself it was there.

"So keep your distance. Or I'll kill you. Or die trying."