Royalty

Chapter 13: He Wouldn't Play Along

Astra's POV:

The second I heard that door open as he reentered, I gave up. My shoulders were burning, it was bordering on unbearable.

I could feel cool blood trickling from both wounds.

My face turned to look again at J -- Moriarty.

He wasn't James.

That was still leaving me dazed. I truly hadn't expected it. He had seemed so ... perfect. Well, not perfect, but ... and the little things made sense now. Why he'd known where I lived. And also why he'd seemed to agree that Sherlock and John were shutting me out. But then, well ...

Why had he helped calm me down? When I'd had the panic attack? That bit didn't make any sense to me. Was he just trying to gain my trust? Was that all, or ...?

My head turned to look at the far end of the pool. The gun, pointed directly at the bomb vest. Moriarty's eyes, fixed on Sherlock's.

That's when the guitar riff started.

My eyes narrowed in confusion, despite the burning pain. What ... ?

Sherlock and Moriarty stared back and forth for a few moments. And then Moriarty rolled his eyes.

" ... Do you mind if I get that?" he asked apologetically. Ah. His ringtone. Interesting choice, I guess?

"Oh, no, please. You've got the rest of your life." Sherlock kept his grip on the gun. I could see John carefully trying to rip off some of his shirt as a tourniquet.

Moriarty pulled out his phone, answering the call. "Hello? Yes, of course it is, what do you want?"

Sorry, he mouthed to Sherlock.

Oh, you're fine, Sherlock mouthed back.

Moriarty spun in a circle, looking exasperated before suddenly whirling back around. "SAY THAT AGAIN!" he roared suddenly. I flinched, and noticed his eyes drop to me momentarily. I couldn't read his expression, something in it didn't make sense. His voice calmed. "Say that again, and know, that if you're lying to me, I will find you and I will sssssssskin you." He drew out the 'S' just long enough to sound insane. "Wait." He lowered the phone from his ear, taking a few steps toward Sherlock again.

Sherlock's hand tightened on the pistol.

Moriarty's eyes shifted as if trying to understand something. "Sorry ... wrong day to die ..." He had stopped. He looked at the phone, then back at Sherlock.

"Oh. Did you get a better offer?" Sherlock asked casually.

"You'll be hearing from me." He casually turned around, bringing his phone back to his ear, strolling casually back to the opposite end of the pull. "If you have what you say you have, I will make you rich." His voice went cold. "If you don't, I'll make you into shoes." He clicked his fingers, and all the sniper lights disappeared as the door shut behind him.

The gun fell from Sherlock's hands and he was back at my side. "John, call an ambulance, now!"

"They took my phone, I can't --"

Sherlock fumbled in his pockets, eyes widening as he realized he'd forgotten his phone at the flat. "The pink phone -- in my coat pocket --" I forced out. Sherlock practically dived for the coat John had taken off.

But before he could call, all three of us heard sirens, directly outside the pool.

We all looked at each other, confused. But Sherlock got over it. "We'll worry about it later. Astra's we're going to help you stand, alright?" I nodded. John went to haul me up by my middle, and Sherlock grabbed my arm, causing me to gasp in pain. Sherlock let go of my arm as if burned.