Page 174 of Ashes

Work faster.

“Work faster,” I mimicked, running to kick the fire out behind the cross so I could drop it to the ground.

Once I had that done, I kicked furiously at the cross until it tilted.

I hadn’t banked on so much manual labor tonight. That was annoying.

The cross crashed to the ground, Sin’s limp body bouncing against it.

Quickly, I went to him and cut the ropes from his wrists and ankles and heaved him away from the flames.

I got him.

Is he alive?

I checked his breathing.

He was beaten to fuck, but he was definitely alive. I slapped his face and his eyelashes fluttered.

“Hey, you pretty fuck. Welcome back,” I said.

He let out a groan. “M-My feet.”

“They’re a little burned. Nothing that’ll kill you,” I said, falling to my ass to sit beside him. “I’d be more concerned with the rest of you.”

He groaned again.

I admired the job the watchers had done on him. They were my kind of people. I’d probably have lashed him to the cross with his own entrails though. But really, potato, pah-ta-to.

He OK?

He’s fine.

Thank fuck. I’ll be there in a minute.

Silence descended in my head.

I inhaled deeply.

“It was me,” I said. “They made me do it to her in the facility. I never would have. Probably, anyway. At least not like that. I know you keep rolling it around in your head on who touched her.”

He stared up at the night sky, his breathing fast.

“It wasn’t fun for me,” I said, answering the thoughts in his head. He thought I’d enjoyed it. “That’s not how it should have been, but it’s how it was, so we deal with it and try to move on.”

“You’re a monster,” he whispered.

“Agreed.”

He licked his lips. “What now?”

“Well, a promise was made. I’d leave something with the watchers and take something with me. My currency is souls, Sinclair. And I have yours now.” I got to my feet and held my hand out to him. “Come. I have someone I want you to meet.”

He didn’t take my hand for a moment. “I-I. . .”

“Do you want to be alone out here? I’ll leave you if you wish it. But I’d really rather you get on your fucking knees and beg me to make it right.”

He whimpered and took the hand I offered him. I pulled him to his knees and stared down at him. Waiting.

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