Chapter 24: Die he or justice must; unless for him some other able, and as willing, pay the rigid satisfaction, death for death. – III, 210-212

So much blood.

There’s so, so much blood.

But Rhys can’t stop.

He can’t, because every time he does, the wounds just close back up like they were never there and Kisho is once again on a mission from Hell to flay Sawyer alive.

“KISHO!” Rhys screams, voice ragged and throat raw, as a mixture of blood, rain and tears run down his face. “KISHO, STOP!”

Kisho’s talons make no discernible sound over the downpour as they slice easily into Sawyer’s hide.

Rhys tries once again to grab Kisho by the arms and haul him away, just to give Sawyer some time to heal, but even with his claws dug deeply into Kisho upper-arms, it makes no difference. It’s like he can feel Kisho’s muscles knitting themselves back together around the incisions, forcing Rhys’ claws out, not impeding Kisho in the slightest.

Sawyer lost the ability to howl in pain what feels like forever ago. Rhys can’t even be sure he’s conscious anymore. It’s impossible to distinguish between heartbeats now.