Free Rapture Falls by Matt Drabble Page A

nefarious purposes, but there truly is no honour amongst thieves and they fought for control” the priest lowered his head in genuine regret. “My name is Hugues de Payens , I was born in the year 1070 in the Chateau Payn about 10km from Troyes in Champagne and I was charged by God himself with creating the order of the Knights Templar in the year of our lord 1118 . Our solitary mission has always remained the same, to hold the line between the Cube and the Archangels of whichever side, you were part of that line child, you were part of the shield”.
    Baine did not waste any of his time attempting to process the latest fantastical information that had been laid upon him, he had already seen and heard enough in the last few days to know that anything was possible but everyone seemed to be lying and he trusted no-one. The only thing that appeared to be consistent in all of this was the Cube, hold the Cube and hold the power, this had rapidly become his new motto in life, he would hold the Cube and he would hold the power and everyone else could go fuck themselves. “So what do you want from me, you know other than boring me to death? ”
    “You are to continue fulfilling your duties, it is rather unfortunate that Gabriel has awoken your dormant side, you were always more of a potent weapon within your single minded manner, but it matters not” de Payens waved a nonchalant arm across the conversation. “A problem has arisen in the form of the police detective that you were obviously observing, he is quite contrary to our wishes at this time and you are to remove him”.
    Baine felt the tension loosen and slowly release him from its grasp, he stood and flexed his arms, he stretched his spine and massaged his left shoulder blade with his right hand wind milling the arm. “So you have his details” he asked having no intention whatsoever of following anyone’s instructions ever again.
    “Ah if only it were that easy, I think that it is best for all concerned if you were returned to your previous, more manageable state” de Payens had plucked a large ancient looking leather bound book from his desk drawer, he stood tall and began to chant, “Somnus in filiolus lux lucios quod exito ut filiolus vengeance per incendia ” , ( sleep in Gods light and awake as Gods vengeance through fire ) , “ Somnus in filiolus lux lucios quod exito ut filiolus vengeance per incendia ” , ( sleep in Gods light and awake as Gods vengeance through fire ) over and over again.
    Baine would have laughed at the absurdity if only he were able, he began to falter, his head felt heavy and inexplicably weary, his vision blurred and his thoughts muddled, he was so very tired, he felt as though he could sleep for a thousand years, all the while de Payens continued to chant. Baine was slipping away, he was slowly being put back to sleep, his fledgling new life retired once again into hibernation. He sagged heavily forward, the desk was all that prevented him from falling to the floor and being lost forever, he grasped blindly, his fingers scattered the desks tabletop objects sending many crashing onto the ground. He was so close now, he was almost gone, at the last he clasped a silver letter opener with a crucifix handle, he thrust the blade hard into his right thigh , the flash of stabbing pain granted him a momentary reprieve as the blade tore open his skin, with all that he had left he threw the knife at de Payens. The priest was so enthralled by his incantation that even with all of his ability and experience he was unable to prevent the blade striking home, the silver knife embedded itself in his neck leaving a gaping slashed would that spouted a gyser of blood and halted his capacity for speech. Baine took his first and only advantage, he stumbled backwards out of the office and toward the small side service door, he flung himself fully at it shattering the old and decayed wood, suddenly he was in the morning’s cold embrace. He fell face