“Night.” I signal toward Jude, and he steps forward. His hands land on her biceps securing her against his chest firmly, so she can’t turn away.
Is it wrong to make her watch this? Probably, but she has too. Nightmare’s the type that he’ll do it because I’ve asked him to, even if he’s not too crazy about having her here. He’d never do this to the woman he loves, but she already knew the type of person he was when they met.
I’ve never felt guilty about my decisions and my heritage, but right now my stomach churns for her. I’m stripping her innocence away one step at a time. Sinner was already broken, but this sweet creature isn’t. For that, I’m truly sorry to be the one to do this to her.
Sinner’s right though; if she ever randomly witnesses me doing a sacrifice, she’ll freak out. It’s better to snuff that option out now. She’ll have a chance to swish the idea around in her mind and hopefully come to terms and eventually accept me once again.
“Times up, Murph.” With my solemn threat, I unclip the machete that’s secured to my hip.
“No!” Protesting, he scrambles to my left. He’s too out of it to argue much or put up a fight. It’s amazing my words register with him at all. Who knows if they really do or if it’s something from the heroin or meth trip he’s on right now? Regardless, half the people I kill are doped up on something, so this isn’t out of the ordinary.
“Get him!” Nightmare growls, his feet planted in one spot as Jude attempts to pull away.
Murphy hops back to the right, and I slam the machete blade down across the back of his neck. “Ahh!” His pathetic wail’s laced with pain and shock.
His back springs up, and I time his reaction to turn perfectly. A second quick slash across his neck has blood spraying free, and Jude letting lose a shaken scream. As much as I want to comfort her, I can’t at the moment. I have to finish this.
Her voice is abruptly silenced as I imagine Nightmare slamming his hand over her mouth. I can’t chance a look at her just yet. If I do, I know I won’t like what I see in her eyes, and I may stop when I need to keep going.
Murphy face-plants, his blood hydrating the earth with each drop. Placing my knee in the middle, right along his spine, I yank his head back. Using my machete, I make a deeper slice across his flesh. It’s an awkward position, but I make it work. The blood pours out, just as I want.
Cupping my hand under the wound, I let the blood fill my palm and begin to chant to myself. Sacrifice to bring this man peace. Sacrifice to keep my sins quiet. Sacrifice for my ancestors no longer here. I offer this token of evil to you.
I lay my blade beside us, and with my palm full of the crimson syrup, I transfer some to my other hand. Lifting up both, I present it to the sun, the god of light and warmth, the god of life.
For you, this I offer. Sacrifice for life.
Bringing one hand to my lips, I drink. The blood trails from my chin, dotting over the man’s shirt. With my other hand, I transfer the liquid, evenly between the two and rub it into my skin, coating my arms with the wine of the gods.
“Please stop!” Jude eventually breaks free enough to cry out.
My gaze trains on hers. “This is my heritage, baby girl. My ancestors took the evil, black souls and used them as a tribute. It’s a sacrifice in our names. This blood is spilt to gain safety for you.”
She sobs. “It’s crazy...how can you be called Saint?”
“I killed the man I discovered torturing Sinner. He named me, I didn’t choose it,” I mutter solemnly, remembering that day as if it were yesterday. Nightmare’s never heard this story before, none of the brothers have, but he knows now as well. No one is aware of just how long Sinner’s been in my life; they know it’s been years, but it’s been nearly my entire life.
There isn’t anything I can do about this, it’s just who I am. Grabbing my knife, I slice long straight cuts on each of his limbs and one across his stomach. Sitting patiently, I wait, hoping the offering will replenish the land after he’s stolen so much from it.
Sheathing my knife, I approach her, still covered in the sticky, ruby liquid. “Tell me, do you love me, baby?”
Her lip trembles. She’s clearly unsure of what to say or do. I only want the truth from her and letting a bit of rage out on a piece of filth has me relaxed and bold. It’s time we talk as Sinner asked me to do.
“There’s no right or wrong answer, my sweet. Either you accept me for who I am as I have done you, or you don’t.” She said she did earlier, but that was before all this.
Tears fall, creating wet trails in their wake and she nods just enough for me to see it, her mouth opens, a whisper breaking free. “I do...I do love you, Saint. I don’t know how, because it’s so soon and things are crazy, but my life is fuller with you in it.”
My mouth turns up into a smirk. “Time means nothing to me. I could’ve met you an hour ago; that wouldn’t be the point. It’s how you feel and how I feel that counts,” I reply with my heart at peace from her answer and reach forward. My fingers trail over her face as I quietly chant, “My sacrifice for her, to keep her safe, to give her life.” Then lean in and kiss her, blood coating my mouth as the copper taste remains on my tongue.
Her lips tremble underneath mine, but she doesn’t turn away. She offers me everything at that moment—her heart and her freedom—because she’ll never be the same afterward. She’ll be mine too.