one last breath

The old man was barely clinging to life. They both knew it. Maybe he didn't want to die with this on his conscience. Cassiel couldn't bring himself to be sympathetic. If the old man wanted absolution, he was looking in the wrong damn place for it. Xanilov's body shuddered against his with obvious pain, but Cassiel just lay stiffly next to him. He gave some thought to not answering the question, but hell, he was going to die anyway. "Cassiel." The word came out curt, and he didn't even give a passing thought to giving the bastard Senka's name. He wouldn't drag his sister into this - she'd been through enough and he didn't deserve to even know that much about her.