Page 119 of Semblance

“Move a fucking muscle and I put a hole in your head,” Lincoln threatened, his gun aimed at the bastard. “If I see so much as a drop of blood spill from Calisto, you’re finished.”

“I give you credit for being such a sneaky bastard,” Sinister said, “But you lose points for being an impatient little shit. In fact, I’m disappointed in all of you. You’d think to examine your surroundings before rushing head first into an obvious trap.”

“Put down your gun,” a voice echoed from above us.

A high powered rifle was pointed in our direction, held by the fucker who had murdered Abraham.

The sight of the White Crow made my blood boil. I could still feel Abraham’s lifeless body in my arms, a phantom memory that will haunt me forever.

“Fucking coward,” Lincoln shouted. “Come down here and fight like you have balls.”

The White Crow laughed as he directed the red dot from his rifle onto the centre of Lincoln’s forehead.

“Crows like to be perched up high,” the assassin replied. “I’m sure the guys down on the ground would be happy to accommodate your request.”

From out of the shadows, two more demon-faced men emerged, guns in hand. I could see the look of anger and disappointment on Shadow’s face. He gave Lincoln a glance that said,we fucked up.

“The fault isn’t yours,” Sinister said. “It’s human nature to allow emotions to overcome logic and reasoning. That is why you fail and I succeed.”

“What are you then?” Shadow asked, “An emotionless psychopath?”

“I gave up on relationships long ago,” Sinister said. “It was the only way to get ahead in life, the true way to obtain power. Once you start caring for someone, you allow yourself a weakness.” He grabbed a handful of Calisto’s hair and pulled her head back, exposing the pale flesh of her neck and pressed the edge of the knife against her throat. “This stupid bitch over here is one of yours Shadow.”

“Don’t even think about it,” Shadow warned.

“Oh hush now,” Sinister said. “Don’t you see? I’m trying to free you of one of your weaknesses. You were destined to do great things Shadow, but you allowed your human frailty to control you. You had the genius of Julius Caesar and the ambition of Napolean, yet you sadly wasted most of your time trying to avenge the death of your parents; countless hours wasted searching for me.”

“Who are you?” Shadow asked.

“All shall be revealed soon enough,” Sinister said, “But the game comes first.”

“No, I’m done with your games.”

“Then you’re done with your sister’s life.” Sinister pushed the blade deeper into Calisto’s neck until her skin broke and red began trickling down her throat.

“You’ll kill her anyways,” Shadow said. “All your games are rigged.”

“That’s not true,” Sinister replied. “Lincoln was freed after winning my game.”

“I don’t feel free,” Lincoln said, gesturing to the two guards who had their guns fixated on us.

“You can only blame yourself. Instead of walking through the open door, you decided to kill my men and play dress up, which I had already anticipated.” The blade of the knife moved half and inch across Calisto’s throat and she let out a muffled scream underneath the gag.

“Are you ready to play yet?” Sinister asked.

Neither Shadow nor Lincoln responded.

“Good,” he said. One of the guards walked over to us brandishing a large bowie knife. He dropped it at Shadow’s feet.

“The game is fairly simple,” Sinister continued. “I will count to three and you will either stab your girlfriend in the heart or I’ll kill your sister.”

Shadow stared at the knife on the ground.

“I don’t have to repeat the rules now, do I?” Sinister asked.

“You can’t expect me to do that,” Shadow said.

“Sure I can. It’s a simple choice. Choose who will live—Calisto or the Golden Virgin. You have until the count of three.”

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