Page 104 of Marked
Something slams into my temple. Hard enough I see stars.
I snarl. A muscular arm goes around my throat, pulling me back until I choke and fight for my next breath of air.
“He goes to jail, Ruin. We don’t kill.” Markus’ voice is hard, unwavering. “Not even for this.”
I buck and strain. Horan stands poised over Draven like an angel of mercy, sword against the vamp’s neck. “Horan,” I croak. “Kill him.”
He stills.
I rail. “I’m your fucking Captain. Kill him.”
The sword tip presses tighter. “For the crimes you have committed, for the wrongs you cannot right...your life is forfeit either way.” Horan’s voice is low in the din. “But for the atrocities you have committed against my brethren, you will rot in hell sooner rather than later.”
“Horan, no!” Markus releases me and rushes forward.
Horan steps aside and I draw the Glock at my waist. Markus is mid flit as the first bullet catches Draven in the chest. The second millimeters apart. I fire as I stand, as I walk closer.
I fire until my magazine clicks empty and a wide, see-through ring sits in the center of Draven’s chest.
The vampire stares up at me as the light slowly fades from his eyes. He laughs and collapses back, unmoving.
Markus slams to a halt inches from the fallen male. His hands shake as he reaches for Draven and then stops. He turns.
“We have no supplier!” he bellows. “Vlad was our middle man. I needed his boss, Ruin. Our supplier of Brightex is still out there, still infesting our streets. What the fuck am I supposed to tell the Council?”
I lower my gun to my side and turn away.
“Ruin. Don’t you dare. Ruin!”
I ignore him and keep walking to Gage and Tanner. They huddle around a familiar dark-haired frame.
Lilah’s chestnut waves are tousled, flowing out from her along the stained dais. But her skin is ashen. Too pale.
That feeling of doom crashes over me, like all the light in the world suddenly snuffs out.
I push between them and fall to my knees.
“Baby girl?” I whisper, voice thick. “You can wake up now. He’s dead. I got him for you. I got the monster.”
She remains unmoving, eyes closed. I brush back her hair with trembling hands. “Lilah?” I strain to catch her heartbeat, but the others are too loud. They have to be blocking hers. She’s weak. Tired.
That’s all.
“Cap...”
I grab her and lift her in my arms. She is soft but too cool for my Lilah. My Lilah is all heat, humanity, and that damn innocence that makes me want to be better. That makes me believe I can be better.
My face presses into her hair and I rock her. “It’s okay, baby girl. Come on.” Her silken waves are soft under my lips. “You got to wake up. We got to go.”
My back and arms begin to burn, but I barely feel it. Barely notice it over the emptiness growing inside me.
A strong hand alights on my shoulder. “Ruin...”
I wrench away from Markus with a snarl. “This is on you,” I snap. “I told you. I fucking told you that diplomacy does not solve this shit. Now she’s–” My voice breaks.
No.
I look at him, fangs down. “Change her.”
