Introducing Marcus

Louis

Sita and I have been driving like crazy, and the hour it would take to reach the city felt like an eternity.

“I just came from here,” Sita said out of the blue.

“Why were you in the city?”

“Divorced… Starting over.”

“Really! That is not what I wanted to hear… So, you obviously know about Chris and Juliet?”

She seemed stunned. “Why aren’t you hitting the road after Friday?”

“Not really against polyandry.” Sita couldn’t seem more shocked. I smiled.

“You can’t think that Chris would stand for that. He didn’t cheat on me for three years.”

That thought wiped my smile away. “Chris can’t even remember what happened Friday. And before that… he rejected her up to the last minute. If you showed up two hours earlier… NONE of this would have happened…! What was it that you couldn’t get over?”

“Why haven’t you gotten married in the last two hundred years, Louis?”

“Don’t get me wrong. But you don’t seem like the sentimental type Sita. You have a guy totally devoted to you.”

“Had…” She said softly.

The conversation died down after that. I wasn’t going to pry and had no desire to know what she was thinking… or why she couldn’t sleep with Chris.

“If we get there, you will have to take the basement and find the car. He will run for it and hopefully just dump the bag again like last time and flee. If you have to manifest, the basement is the safest place. Let me find him inside the motel.”

“I’ll follow your lead.” An instant comradery forming knowing how serious the situation was.

Sita pointed at a building as the GPS directed us to the garage's entry. There were 3 floors of basement parking.

“Let’s see… Maybe the lowest level. No one parks there.” She shrugged.

There was little light. It was automatic as we drove down the lane. It wasn’t as big as the other levels. The options were limited, and it didn’t take long to find a set of keys on the wheel. I had to repark the rental in a spot where he wouldn’t be able to just speed out. To ensure he couldn’t get away, I parked my car in front of it.

“We need him alive. Be careful… I don’t think you’ll be able to take him on. But the baby takes precedence.”

I had a sick sense of dread in my stomach. Something felt off. Everything seemed was too easy. Jacklin giving me the right club at the right time. I was finding everything just too convenient.

“What is it, Louis?”

“Weed.”

The place was a mess. It wasn’t just a brothel. Or a high-end hotel with benefits. There was a floor dedicated to a club. The massive dance floor made it almost impossible to move around. The music was too loud. And not my type.

I also couldn’t bypass any of it because cubicles with coaches ran along the walls on all sides of the floor. And unfortunately, the doors Jacklin said I had to get to were staring at me on the other side of the room. Guarded by bouncers. I just hoped they knew I was coming and would let me through. I gave my name, and they spoke to someone through an earpiece.

“Enjoy.” They opened the two doors for me, and I walked through. Jacklin was either really hands-on, or she had good staff.

On the other side was a small lobby. Bouquets of flowers stood everywhere in pots. The elegance continued. A massive waterfall softly fell over glass behind the reception area. It didn’t disappoint the standard the hotel was trying to maintain.

“Welcome, Mr. Du Pont,” the girl standing in front of the water welcomed me. She was clad in an off-shoulder sequenced dress. It wasn’t the hotel’s reception. It was a private floor.

“To my left is the restaurant.” She pointed. “And a bar area where you are sure to find some company for tonight.”

Her eyes lingered on me a little too long. I raised an eyebrow, reading her thoughts. “Thank You. Any news about the client Jacklin arranged for me to meet?”

“He had not checked in, but I will keep you informed if he does. Please have a drink on the house.”

I tapped the counter’s surface, reading her name tag. “Thank you, Claire.” She winked at me.

I wished Juliet was there to use her invisibility to do some recon. Because how was I supposed to go about doing everything?

There was nothing for it. I had to get a girl and make my way to a room and get some answers. Maybe even get a jump on the guy. If he saw me down there, it wouldn’t have worked anyway.

Juliet said that the last time he was given access to the whole place. Used service elevators. Jacklin was making me run around in circles and wasting time. Mr. Tailored was paying a lot of money… Maybe she wanted to placate me and not give him up. There would be a fight. I was pumping myself up for it. He was just as old as me… But infected vampires were said to have a little bit of an advantage. Stronger. Faster. Almost unbreakable.

I sat down at the bar next to a girl, and I got down to it, “Are you free? Or are you waiting?” I asked.

“Waiting… Sorry. But if you could wait just an hour, I would be happy to accompany you.”

“I’m in a bit of a rush… Can you perhaps point me in the direction of your best friend in need of some money?” She smiled and pointed her red painted nail in the direction of a redhead in a booth. The lady waved me over. It didn’t take long, and Louisa and I walked past Claire. She pouted her lips, disappointed that I didn’t choose her but smiled at the redhead in my arms. Claire handed me a room keycard. I told her to call me if she had any good news.

I took a selfie with my new date in the elevator and sent it to Juliet.

Me {This could have been you… Not a date! Just cover!}

Juliet {Sorry eating. Talk later. Dracula Emoji and a blood drop Emoji.}

Smelling Louisa next to me as a meal seemed like a good idea. I could’ve left Jaklin with a headache if she had stabbed me in the back. It took forever to get to the seventh floor.

She unlocked the room and went inside. I listened outside for a minute. If I could hear anything. But that hotel was a bit more soundproof. Hearing the cub wasn’t going to happen.

I messaged Sita and asked if she had seen anything.

Sita {Nothing yet... Hiding. Anything on your end?}

Me {Making progress. Hold on… Be careful. Hide better.}

I closed the door. Had to scare the girl a little with my vampire face. My strength and impeccable manners before she knew I wasn’t mucking about. Questioned her about all the regulars the women were complaining about.

“He is tall, well dressed, and his hair is flatly gelled onto his head… Come on… this has to already give you a name.”

She laughed, “You’re kidding. You just described every old guy in here.”

“He’s not old. Thirty-something. Very handsome and doesn’t muck about. In and out quick. Regular for the last month... More than others.” Her face changed. Bingo! She wanted to say but changed her mind.

“I will give you a chance to live… This is really important to my… girlfriend. She is into all that vigilante stuff and justice… World peace and everything. This guy owes her some answers.”

“Ruth. My friend downstairs. The one you sat next to first... Her client is coming. For the last month… Twice a week.”

“That has to be him… What room?”

“Two flights up. Room 923.”

“You have any bondage that I can tie you up with? So, you don’t ruin this for me?”

“Top drawer.” She sighed. “You wouldn’t believe me if I said I won’t spill my guts.”

I chuckled. “No. Sorry. I wasn’t born yesterday.” I laughed at my own joke. I was really bored without Juliet. I tied Louisa next to the bed on the floor. “I will make sure you get paid double for the whole night. Really sorry. This is kinda life or death.”

Now I just had to wait for Claire to phone. She did but gave me the wrong information. Kinda sus again. But I would rather be prepared if it was a trap of some kind. I made my way to the ninth floor… Trusted Louisa more than Jacklin and Claire.

The elevator door dinged when it opened. I heard Ruth’s voice. “What’s in the bag? Sounds like a puppy.” Wrong question to ask Ruth. I listened to the slap and a cry of protest.

“No Questions.” I heard a man say. It had to be him. It seemed to work because she followed him anyway. Stupid Ruth. I took it as the perfect opportunity.

I walked past them. Ruth holding her cheek.

“You just hit this woman?” I asked. Putting my hands on his chest.

When Rodrigo met my eyes, he recognized me immediately. I wondered if he would. He tried to be fast, but I was just a little faster. I got the bag from him and tossed it to Ruth. She surprisingly didn’t let the bag fall while I kept him busy.

“If I were you, I would run. Not want to go into a room with this guy.”

Ruth was hesitating. “Down in the basement. Last level. Blond. Well dressed. Give her the bag and tell her to go in my car and floor it.”

When I manifested, Ruth screamed, which made Rodrigo attack her. Trying to get the bag back.

I warded him off. We were both trained in combat. It was evident from the way he moved. Wonder where he got that from? I yelled again when Ruth stood motionless. That time adding screeching to get her into action.

It seemed to put humans in their place, and she ran for it.

“Remember, it’s the third-floor basement, Ruth!”

I didn’t know if she would go or if she would get the bouncers. Or what would happen, but that was further than I expected us to get.

All I had to do was keep Rodrigo busy until Sita called me.

“Who is funding you?” I was trying to talk to him while he advanced at me.

“Does it matter?”

“Oh wow, he speaks. Will I actually get some answers tonight?”

“I don’t know. Let’s see if you can keep up with doing both.” He fought well in his suit and kept fixing his jacket every time he could. I used these moments to ask him something.

“What did you give my girlfriend, and how long does she have?”

“Little Juliet… not feeling so well? Poor thing was courageous but stupid.”

“You know what? I tell her that every day. Not to her face, but she keeps doing things that are just really….”

He smiled. “Stupid.”

I nodded. His boxing was good, but his feet were slipping on the carpet with the fancy shoes he had on. When we both realized, I smiled. He glared at me. We heard the familiar ping of the elevator coming up. We glanced up at the indicator that showed it was coming to the ninth floor.

“Quickly! Tell me what I can give her to make her better?”

He chuckled. “Nothing! All you born vampires are just putting off the inevitable of facing extinction as well… Just make sure she doesn’t bite you when she starts turning.”

I didn’t like his tone. I had a minute left. When I attacked that time, I didn’t muck about and put him on his ass in five seconds, pinning him using all my strength. He groaned in pain as I twisted his arm into an uncomfortable position.

“There is a cure, of course….” He croaked out. “But only I have it.”

“How long does she have?”

“Two years with her dose and her age.”

I sighed from relief. “Then you will have to come with me so that we can sort this out peacefully. I will let Juliet decide what to do with you.”

The elevator was coming up the last two floors. I pulled back and let Mr. Tailored go. Stunned at the voice, I heard coming up the shaft. Reading his thoughts.

Rodrigo didn’t understand… He took a deep whiff. His already grey features turned stark white, and Mr. Tailored made a run for it.

I was stock-still… Not knowing what to do. It was too late anyway. The doors opened, and I figured knowing was better than being in the dark.

***

Marcus

I heard about Rodrigo from Jacklin. Got in a helicopter to go and find him. He had been one of my biggest mistakes… The other one was… Juliet. N

My father had not forgiven me for either. Daily my estimation went down in his eyes. The last few years had been the worst. Losing the Farrow family from the compound was a significant loss. My father took it personally. He felt that he had not put me in my place enough and that I was making decisions where I had no business making them.

The dark skyline came into view, and the helipad on the roof of the hotel became more prominent as the pilot landed. Two of my men and I jumped out. Our steps were quick to get out of the way. The manager ushered us into the building through big glass doors that opened by themselves.

Inside I didn’t even pull myself together as I always felt I had to. My guards ran for the elevator. When I reached it, the doors were already opening. I was highly strung and kept tapping my leg, willing the box to move faster.

A town car was ready to pick us up outside, and we drove off immediately.

Nervous and at the same time excited. I drank some water and chucked the bottle back into the cup holder in the door. My gaze kept drifting from looking out one window to another. The streets were quiet… We moved rather swiftly. But my regrets kept haunting me.

Reports started circulating a few weeks ago... Samuel himself began making inquiries about an infected vampire running around… Planning something against the creatures that made him. My father’s rage was kindled all over. Blaming me for letting him escape so long ago.

Seemed like our Spaniard had gone off the rails. And it was my problem to find him. He had been gone for so long. I had forgotten about him. Rodrigo’s hobby was catching and killing baby werewolves. With their population so low. He was bound to surface.

Hearing what he was planning gave me nightmares. Only thinking about him succeeding in his endeavor was a catastrophe. And not only for the compound but for the planet. He wanted revenge, but… that plan of his was beyond the norm.

The first night I came to see Jacklin’s was about a week after the whole story came out. She had told me of the French vampire that had made a scene trying to find Rodrigo. Saying that he had heard the cub in the bag and his girlfriend went after the infected herself.

How anyone could do that… was strange. Jacklin also said that the girls’ parents joined the French guy in her office on the top floor a few minutes later. Having killed all her guards. It was weird that anyone… let alone a girl, would follow Rodrigo…

It took only a few seconds before that stone-cold face flashed in front of my eyes. The one that was so set against me. Juliet was almost out of high school at that time… Only a few months if she didn’t skip grades… So, I thought it could possibly be her. Liam and Cindy would die for her. Fit the description of the parents.

I smiled, thinking about her… She would be the only one away from the compound that would care enough about someone else… Let alone a werewolf… The whole thing had her stubbornness written all over it.

Vampires were scattered all over and to keep track of them all was a full-time job. The compound had to make money. So Qadir gave some the choice of going.

Jacklin… I didn’t know how she got out. Running the club scene. The hotels and the brothels.

But going into exile from the compound meant you didn’t want to be found. In the beginning… I didn’t want to see Juliet either… I was a little broken after they left… I couldn’t face her like that.

I was scared to death that whatever Rodrigo was doing had ended up making Juliet the same. It wasn’t like I could call Samuel and ask him if his niece had turned into a Zombie. But the fact that we didn’t hear anything else gave me some reassurance that she made it. And when the news of the saved werewolf cub reached us… I was proud of her.

My suspicions were confirmed when the news quickly circulated about the young vampire girl playing the heroin. I listened to men retell the story to my father. He had not put two and two together. I had that stupid smile on my face and relished the fact that Juliet and I were connected. I might have gone about it the wrong way… No! I didn’t have a choice… And if I ever had another opportunity. I would’ve done anything to fix my mistake. Like I was trying to do at that moment.

Finding Rodrigo was now not only for my father but also for Juliet’s sake. If she was really concerned about the werewolves… I thought that maybe I could climb back into her good graces. So, that night was crucial to me.

We reached the hotel. Another manager met us and escorted us to wherever we needed to be. She was wearing a grey dress suit with black high heels. When one saw the bottom reception area. You would never think that there was a club and a high-end brothel all together in one building. I had been there before, and particular floors needed an invitation. That night I needed an escort throughout.

I picked up my phone, riding another elevator up to the ninth floor where we needed to be. Kubra, my lifelong friend, was on the other side of the line giving me feedback about how far he was with the rest of my entourage. He was the only other person who knew how much that night meant to me and sounded just as agitated. Everybody else was relaxed and just doing their jobs.

Jacklin had called me in a hurry telling me that the French guy was moving. That another cub was taken, and he was asking for information. That he was at that moment heading to one of our hotels.

I couldn’t believe my luck and set out immediately, hoping to not only find Rodrigo but maybe catch a glimpse of Juliet. If she was with this new boyfriend.

It felt too good to be true. Like Jacklin was behind Rodrigo in some way. He would never be that careless if she was not using him. But I didn’t care, and when the elevator doors opened, I hastily wanted to exit. The two bodyguards with me held out their arms when they saw someone standing to the right of the landing.

“Open up, you idiots!” I pushed past them.

When I stepped out, I was face to face with a stranger. He was crushing his cell phone in his hand. No, he wasn’t only crushing it… He let it fall on the floor and was trampling on its remains. For the second time in three years... I had that stupid smile on my face. Thank the universe, and hope started rising that I might be closer to Juliet than I had been in years. But I would have to lure her out. She wasn’t going to be an easy catch.

***

Louis

I heard Marcus’s voice on the phone. His thoughts as they rode up the shaft. My fist instinctively closed around my phone. I had confirmed it was him as he called off his men. When I saw his face, I dropped my phone and crushed it. That face and figure that immerged out from the elevator was one I thought I’d never see. One that flashed in Juliet’s memory every day many times. I had never seen him in person… He seemed a little bit crueler than Juliet gave him credit for.

His middle eastern features were distinctive, with his dark skin and dark brown eyes. When he looked at me and saw my foot… The smile on his face made me pause. That feeling in the pit of my stomach sunk lower.

He wasn’t stupid. In seconds figured out what was going on, knowing exactly who I was and who I was protecting. Optimistic eyes scanned the little lobby area. Disappointment clouded as quickly as they lit up. The scowl back in full force. Marcus didn’t see the prize he wanted.

There was almost a constant sadness on his countenance. The full shaved beard lined his jaw, chin, and mouth. It didn’t make him look any friendlier. He screamed power and would be a formidable opponent.

He was attractive. Thinly built like Chris and me. No muscles… Stupid Juliet! She had a type. The only thing he didn’t have was my easy smile. But Chris was also very serious. With an arched pull on his lips like everything in life bothered him and made him think. All of us were mysterious. Number one on her list of who could possibly be good enough…

Even his clothes were stylish. He wore a long dark jacket over a dark polo sweater. Dark jeans, and black shoes. Luckily that day, I wore the total opposite of him. Light colors rather than my usual blues and blacks.

The way Juliet remembered him wasn’t quite like that. In her flashes of him, his hair was long. And he mostly wore a long-sleeved white Kurta with pants. There he was much more western. It seemed like he hadn’t given up on his prize. Making changes, Marcus?

I was being dramatic, crushing the phone. But I didn’t want Juliet to even hear his voice. He was why Jacklin wasn’t reprimanded. Under the ultimatum that she would let him know of any news of me and his prize. Was it only business for her? She knew about Juliet… But I didn’t think she knew who Juliet really was. Or what she looked like… And if I was Marcus… I wouldn’t have spoken of Juliet… especially to Jacklin…