Once more, David's aim ought to have been perfect. Somehow, though Jonas doesn't move an inch, the blade misses him anyway. It soars right past him, lodging into the wall behind him.

Jonas shuts his eyes for a brief moment, gathering his thinning patience. Then he raises his gun to take aim at David. He's given every warning. It's time to start shooting. The weapon has apparently decided to function now, because it fires again and again and again in an unwavering burst.