Victor threw up blood. He knew how this spell would end on a normal person, he'd seen it before; the caster takes all the pain from the recipients. They would feel nothing. All the pain and wounds would be absorbed by the spell caster. Usually this ended in death, but since Victor wasn't normal, he wasn't sure how it would end, or what kind of after effects it would have on him.
As he lay on the ground Victor found himself wondering where Lepidus had gone. . .it had been days since he had heard of him.
Pain wracked his body, making him cough. The arrow had wormed its way deep into his chest by now.
"If I had a heart I'd already be dead!" Victor laughed, which was a mistake; the laugh turned into a cough.
"This is pathetic! I would never have done this before!" What had changed? Why was he being so soft?

"Never make friends. They will bring you down and only interfere with your missions, you plans."

The words floated back to him like a bad waffle. . .Johan had been right, though, damn him. Friends only caused pain.
"What a pathetic sight!" A voice said scornfully above him.
Victor looked up quickly, trying to struggle to his feet. The man sat on his heels and looked Victor in the eyes.
"This is is what the great Victor Graves the Crimson Assassin had been brought down to?" He said softly.
Victor made a rasping laugh " I agree, it's pretty low, right?" His smile was sardonic.
"I can help you." The stranger said softly.
"And why would you do that? You don't know me!"
"No, but I know Them."
". . . who are you?"
"I am no one, just a shadow." The man smiled. "A guardian angel, if you will."
"I don't believe in Angels! So tell me why They would want to help me now? After all this time?"
"You are vital."
Victor looked disgusted, "Vital? What a load of bullshit!"
"Do you want my help or not?" The man sounded slightly testy.
After a long appraising look Victor nodded slowly "Yes. I do want your help."