Page 65 of Shai

The only thing I had in my favor was the element of surprise. We weren’t in a war zone. It was unlikely the sniper was primed to take an immediate shot. And I was counting on him being more focused on incoming rather than outgoing. My best bet was to make a run for it and not look back, not stop until I was out of range. Although, my plan was shot to pieces of they’d radioed ahead and he was already aware of McIntyre’s fate and my part in it. It was a huge risk to stake my life on.

Voices from behind the closed door made my decision for me. If I

waited around, I’d be dead anyway. At least this way, I had a chance. I broke into a run. For the first fifty meters or so, there was nothing but blessed silence, save for my own rapid breathing and the sound of my feet hitting the ground.

Then a shot rang out, the impact kicking up the earth less than a foot

away from me. I picked up the pace. Even so, the next shot was closer. My options were limited. I wouldn’t make it to the bend in the road that would take me out of the sniper’s eyeline. The river was my only chance. I changed direction, a shot ricocheting off the spot where I’d been moments before.

I didn’t slow as I reached the river, launching myself straight off the

embankment and into the water. The last time I’d been in this river, it had come close to being my permanent resting place, and it was entirely possible it might be again. The coldness of the water was shocking, my already failing body taking far too long to recall the necessary movements to swim underwater. I had to hope I was going the right way, that my movements were taking me to the opposite side of the river rather than back to McIntyre’s compound. I wouldn’t know for sure until I breached the surface. I stayed underwater for as long as I could, until my lungs were screaming with the need for oxygen. Even then, I took a few more strokes, terrified that as soon as I broke the surface of the water I would be picked off by a bullet.

When my head finally broke the surface, I’d swum almost the entire

length of the river. I had to be out of range, a fact confirmed by no bullets zipping through the air. Gasping for breath, I swam the rest of the way until I could drag myself out onto the opposite bank. I collapsed onto my front, my whole body numb. All I wanted to do was sleep. But then where would I wake up? I might be on Shai’s side of the river, but that didn’t necessarily mean anything. McIntyre’s men would be pissed. In that state, an invisible boundary wouldn’t mean much to them. If I woke up back in McIntyre’s compound, I’d suffer a fate far worse than death at the hands of his men.

I forced myself to my hands and knees, my movements when I finally

managed to stand a long way from coordinated. It took all the willpower I had to put one foot in front of the other, and then to repeat the motion. I needed a place away from the river to rest and regroup, somewhere that gave me the time to work out what my next move was going to be.

I staggered forward another few steps, a couple walking past quickly looking away when I tried to catch their eye. They weren’t going to help. People in this city lived by the adage of not getting involved. It kept them alive and out of trouble. If I wanted to get any farther, it was up to me and me alone.

The hour was late enough that all the shops were closed by the time I’d dragged myself onto a main road. I made it as far as the doorway of a butcher’s shop before sliding to my ass to huddle in the corner. I was freezing cold, shivers wracking my body, and my teeth were chattering, but at least I was partially sheltered from the wind.

My head dropped forward onto my chest as I tried to take stock. I’d killed McIntyre, and then I’d killed two more men. I’d become a triple murderer in less time than it had taken me to swim the width of the river. How did I feel about that? At the moment, the answer was that I felt nothing, my physical condition of much more pressing importance than my mental one. Besides, I’d done what I needed to do to survive. It was done, and guilt wouldn’t change what had happened. What came next was more important. I was free, the thought bringing a weak smile to my lips.

It didn’t last long before reality crashed down on me. I didn’t have a penny to my name. I was drenched to the skin and at risk of hypothermia if I didn’t find a way of getting dry. I had a gaping wound in my arm in dire need of stitching. I was in poor physical shape with multiple contusions and abrasions. And then there was the fact that I was quickly heading into Void withdrawal, my headache growing steadily worse.

In a few hours, I was going to be so desperate for Void that I’d do anything to get it. The slow itch was already building in my body. I knew from experience that that itch would grow into an overwhelming need. So the question was, where could I get it from?

The obvious answer was from a drug dealer. Back on McIntyre’s side of the river, I’d known where to find a few, due to avoiding their territory during my own short-lived stint as their competitor. But I’d have to be stupid to head back to that side of the river while McIntyre’s men were no doubt out looking for me. Besides, I had no money. They weren’t going to hand over Void for free. I turned the gun over in my hand. Could I trade it? Would it still work after its extended dip in the river? Did it still have bullets? I could threaten someone with it and hope that they didn’t call my bluff. Anyone on this side of the river was in Shai’s employ, though, which meant it would get back to him.

Shai has Void. I closed my eyes, trying to pretend that the urge to return

to him was just about the drugs, and had nothing to do with the man himself. I could almost feel the magic pull of his presence across the city. He was little more than a mile away. He threw you away like a piece of rubbish. I let my head thud back against the wall. Taylor had been important to him. He’d only done the trade because there’d been no other option. He’d been forced to put his operation first.

He’ll probably catch you anyway. Better to return of your own accord

than for him to track you down once he discovers what happened. You don’t want to be on the wrong side of his brand of justice.

I was assuming a lot. I was assuming Shai would even want me back.

Except deep down, I knew he would. How many times had he told me that I belonged to him? How many times had he insisted that our fates were intertwined?

The argument in my head went on for a while, my frozen body refusing

to warm in the slightest, which was hardly surprising given how wet my clothes were.

One thing was for sure, if I stayed here, I would freeze to death. I struggled to my feet while I was still capable, my mind made up. I

needed warmth, clothes, Void, and medical treatment. There was only one place I knew where I could get all of those things. I turned in the direction of Shai’s compound, pausing for a moment to let everything sink in, to give myself time to come up with another reason why it was such a terrible idea.

There was nothing. The choice was already made.

I MUST HAVE LOOKED a pitiful sight as I trudged through the streets, at least three people crossing to the other side of the street to avoid me. I didn’t blame them. I’d probably have done the same. I’d seen my reflection in a shop window, and I looked like someone who’d been put through a blender.

I’d had no plan beyond reaching Shai’s compound, so when I finally found myself standing in front of it, it was difficult to know what to do next. I swayed precariously as I fixated on it, the outside strangely unfamiliar. I’d only seen it the once, the time that Shai had taken me for dinner. The rest of my time had been spent within the confines of its walls. Home, sweet home.