Chapter Four
Kinzer’s wrists were bound in rope behind his back, his arms crushed against the edge of a bathtub Raya had submerged him into.
Through the shaking water, he could see a red and green blur that he knew was his current nemesis. She had him by the hair, and despite his efforts to wrestle free, her hold was too strong for him to battle.
She pulled him up for a moment.
He gasped for air. Angling his leg, he slid it under his ass, grabbed the knife from the back of his shoe, and cut at his bindings.
“Who are you with?” she asked.
“I’m… on my own.”
“Oh, yes. A fallen clipped just wandering through our little operation. Of course.”
She dunked his head and held it under.
Kinzer pressed his feet against the floor and jerked his body forward, trying to give her the impression he was resisting while slicing at the rope, occasionally cutting his fingers instead.
He wiggled and squirmed under her grip until she pulled him back up. Inhaling, he took in what he could, knowing very well that he would only have a moment.
This reminded him of the War, when he had endured torture and cruelty at the hands of his enemies. It also reminded him of before the War, when he’d endured punishments for resisting his given occupation, when he’d resisted the order of Heaven.
“This is the last time I’ll ask, and if you don’t answer, we’ll just drag it out of the clit you brought with you.”
“Fuck you!” he said. As he cut through the rope, his hands separated and he made a quick attack, driving the blade into Raya’s arm, running it down her muscles so that he created a trail of blood.
With her other arm, she snatched his wrist and pulled it back, yanking the blade out with it.
“Little shit,” she said.
She pulled him forward and slammed his head against the side of the tub, like someone punishing a dog for biting. The impact made him lose control of his limbs for a moment. He dropped the blade.
Raya forced him back under the water for what he knew would be the last time.
He grappled with her hold, but it was no use. She was too powerful, and he was without anything to defend himself.
He worried about Maggie. Would they catch her? Would she get away?
He’d failed her by dragging her into this. He had to get away.
Red rushed from Raya’s arm and muddied the water until he lost even the blurred images of his attacker. But as his strength waned and his head felt as if it was about to burst from holding his breath, even the red faded. He wouldn’t have a chance to save his friend.
Raya pulled him back slightly so that his mouth was so close to the water’s surface. She was toying with him. Teasing him. Reminding him of how thin the line between life and death really was.
This is the end.
And what a way to end. Without having so much as tracked down Veylo. Without being any closer to the Christ. Perhaps it had been foolish of him to believe he could stand up against the Raze and the Almighty. Perhaps it was foolish to take on the burden of saving the world. And yet, he didn’t regret it. He’d done what he could. He had lived a long life, and he’d loved and been hurt so many times. He knew nothing came after these realms, and he was fine with that. He didn’t need to see more, do more. If this was the end, he was ready.
Raya released him.
It was almost cruel that he had been so close to relief, from all the pain, from all the suffering. Now, he knew he had to keep on. At least keep on trying.
He grabbed the side of the tub and pulled himself up.
As he stumbled to his feet, warm water rushed across his face, streaming back into the tub.
His chest pushed in and out as his body forced him to replenish his lungs with oxygen.
