"What do I have to lose?" Rani's made clear that reputation's about all anybody sees in her here, at least on first glance. She's far from home, far from family and friends--she doesn't have anything of her own here except bloodstained clothes. Her life is the only thing that's actually important, and it still seems ridiculous that anyone would die over the who's-who of social circles.

Besides, I'll have a knife.

The question isn't exactly a yes, though, she realizes. There's one more thing lurking in her thoughts, demanding to be asked. It's Dawn waiting in the corners of her mind, giving her advice about respect and power. This is the only other thing that matters. "What happens if I change my mind?"