Page 138 of The Crowned Garza

My body aches, everywhere.

There’s nothing beneath my feet. I’m hanging. Arms stretched above me, wrists rubbed raw.

They take turns beating the shit out of me.

My ribs are broken, I’m sure of it.

I’m dehydrated, my brain is foggy, butherface is there, etched on the black canvas of my barely conscious mind. More beautiful than aurora.

She’s worth it.

She’s worth all of it.

I hear the whistle of death, creeping closer and closer.

But I don’t regret a single moment spent with her.

~

“HEY, COME ON,man,” True’s voice breaks through the numbing pain. “I didn’t sign up to kill him. Knock him around a bit for lying to us, sure. But this is enough. We gotta stop.”

A dark chuckle. “He’s not even close to getting what he deserves.”

“Bro, you of all people should be defending him right now. He was the only one on your side when you wanted to take on Sunny’s case,” True argues. “He threw in his own funds. Talked to Tor ahead of you. Helped you every step of the way. For fucking free.”

“Except he wasn’t doing all that to backmeup, was he?” Tripp returns. “He did all that ’cause he was worried about Tillie. Oursister.Why? ’Cause he’s been fucking her for I don’t even wanna know how long. He was never genuine, so nah, all that counts for nothing.”

“Makes you wonder what else he’s been hiding,” Trent says. “Ever notice how we could never find anything on him? He’s been with us for, what, fifteen years? And we’ve got nothing solid on him. Think about it. He controls everything from the inside. He controls the tech teams, the surveillance, the systems. Of fucking course we only found what he wanted us to find. Is his name even Saint Lucian?”

“Wemight not know that information, but Tor does,” True replies. “If Tor withheld anything from us, it’s gotta be for a reason. So let’s just… Jesus. At least give him something to drink.”

“Gladly...”

Something creaks and grinds onerously, and then I’m being drowned in an icy deluge.

Unconsciousness reclaims me.

~

IN THE NEXTwave of gauzy consciousness, Stefano Castello’s voice is in the room.

“Gesù Cristo, if you’re not going to kill him, then wrap this up. I actually like Guy. He’s a wizard and a strong ally to have.”

“Arewe killing him?” Trent asks.

“Of course not,” True answers. There’s a long moment of silence before True reiterates, “We’renotkilling him! Shit’s sake, Guy’s my friend.”

“If this is how you treat your friends...” Stefano mumbles. “What’s Tor’s take on it?”

“Tor doesn’t know he’s here. He told us to back off, but—”

“You’re kidding me, right?” Stefano says in disbelief. “I thought Tor signed off on this. Wait, does this mean youdon’tknow who Guy really is?”

A tense beat of silence, then, “You gonna tell us?”

“Whatthefuckhave you lot thrown me in the middle of?” Hurried, retreating footsteps. “Be right back. I need to get some clarification on how you were even able to lay a finger on him without getting your brains splattered if this was not signed off on. Please take my advice anddo notleave this bunker until I get back. I have no doubt we are completely surrounded right now. Forfuck’ssake!”

Stefano leaves, and for several moments, there’s nothing but the drip, drip, drip of a leak somewhere.