The Marquis (The 13th Floor)

Chapter 10


As soon as he was outside, Marc swung an arm and toppled a lamppost. He shouldn’t have gone back to see her. He should’ve kissed her. He should’ve told her there was nothing between them. He should’ve made certain she stayed in the apartment where she was safe.

There was no time for anything else. He would find Vetis and finish it one way or another right now. The question was which end did he want?

He needed to kill Vetis. Marc couldn’t risk the bastard killing anyone else. He wouldn’t risk Vetis coming back to kill Mae out of spite. This meant giving over fully to his demonic side. Becoming what he hated most of all. The Grand Marquis. The Damned.

Decades ago when he left Hell, he swore he would never be that again. The nightmares, the memories, knowing what he had done in service of his Master, it was worse than any torture Hell could devise.

Yet letting Vetis win and take his head, Marc wouldn’t have to become what he loathed and his torment would end. Hell wouldn’t have him and neither would Heaven. There would be nothing. Blissful nothing.

Marching toward the café, he heard gunshots and shouts down four or five blocks. Marc paused and nodded to himself. The military had been called in. Looters and other criminals would flee. Even any lesser demons could be taken down by bullets. Carmine would be exorcised of her demons and nurtured by those who loved her.

Before he could continue on, the ground shook with the reverberations of a massive explosion. A plume of smoke rose from the center of the city. Carmine’s Circle. She was too sophisticated to have a city square.

There was a great white fountain in the center of the roundabout. Three tiered with elegantly sculpted travertine stone. An angel with spread wings sat on the top tending the eternal flame. It was the symbol of the city; a landmark all tourists would see when visiting.

The perfect monument for Vetis to blow up.

His body shook as he roared without sound. A pain in his chest echoed the attack on his city’s heart. Carmine, Kiral, and Mae. All dear to him and yet only pawns in Vetis’ game. How he loathed the bastard. He’d rip him limb from limb.

Changing directions, Marc ran for the Circle. His increasing speed blurred the devastation around him. His horns curled outward and he panted as his teeth grew.

There was no life around the Circle. The buildings were burnt hulks and all the vehicles were cleared out. Perhaps some people were smart enough to leave the city. He should have stuffed Mae in one of those cars. At least then she’d be far away from this and he’d never have to turn his back to her.

Marc slowed to a walk as he entered the Circle. There was silence save for the sound of bubbling water. It was as if the apocalypse had happened. Not a soul left to wander except for the damned. Like him. Like Vetis.

On top of the fountain, Marc thought for a second the angel still stood. Snowy wings outstretched as it bent to the flickering fire. His heart skipped a beat. How could it survive the explosion? Was there some hope for him yet?

No. Emotions were playing tricks with his vision. There was no hope for him and no angel.

Vetis lifted his bowed head and smiled, a sore imitation of serenity. His wings fluttered. A pretty illusion and nothing more.

The top two tiers of the fountain were blasted to bits, but the bottom had managed to stay in one piece. Water gurgled out of the blackened stump. The eternal flame was not quite so eternal as it spurted out. Vetis wiggled his fingers in farewell and straightened himself.

“I see you got my invitation.” Vetis hopped down to the edge of the fountain and extinguished the illusion of wings.

“I think the whole city got it.” Marc surveyed the area. Plenty of room to fight in the heart of Carmine.

“There were a few other nosy nellies, but I didn’t want them at my party. I only want to play with you, Marquis. And oh!” Vetis clapped his hands. “Look at you! You were always an impressive demon. All I have is funny ears, a tail, and pointy little teeth. It’s horrible to look so human, but at least I know the blood that boils in my veins is not tainted by mortality. Or morality. What about you, old man?”

“Nothing’s holding me back this time.” Anger and hatred surged through him. Marc never liked that Vetis had to put on a show. Nothing more infuriating than an ostentatious little prick.

“Nothing?” Vetis skipped along the edge of the fountain. “You know I have your vampire. In fact, he’s up over there.” He pointed to the highest building on the Circle. “Chained to the rooftop. I could’ve staked him or set him on fire, but there’s nothing more satisfying than a vamp shriveling up in the morning sun. Sunrise is, what? Twenty minutes away?”

Marc twitched and turned, wanting to rush to the rooftop. He’d let down someone who was counting on him. Kiral didn’t have anyone else. He only had him, and he had gotten him targeted through association alone.

Slowly, he faced Vetis again. The enemy was here. Running to save Kiral would only prolong the game. So many lives depended on him ending it right this moment.

“So you’ll let him roast. Marvelous!” Vetis chuckled and snapped his fingers. The clop of hooves echoed off the buildings as six constructs trotted into view. Each carried a woman. The only one that was conscious was weeping quietly.

“And what do you think about this now, hm?” Vetis leaned forward.

Marc frowned as he peered at each of the women. All older with dark hair. His psychic vision told him they were good people, and he didn’t know a single one of them.

“No? Nothing?” Vetis sighed. “Well, drat.” He cocked his head and then whooped as a seventh construct entered the Circle. The rider’s arms were locked tight around its captive. “Here we are.” He pulled out a pair of sunglasses from within his jacket and slipped them on. “Oh yes. This is the right lady!”

“Marc.” Mae shook her head, tears streaming down her lovely face.

No. This wasn’t happening. She was supposed to be safe. Could God not hear just one of his prayers for the sake of one of His most compassionate souls? If He hated Marc so much, so be it, but Mae shouldn’t have to suffer for it.

Red swirled within his eyes, tainting the world. Bellowing her name, he threw up his hands and flames zipped over his body. His clothes turned to ash, and he grew near eight feet tall. Each horn was bigger than his head. His jaw cracked as the lower half of his face extended much like a wolf’s muzzle.

He snapped his teeth in a mockery of a grin. The Grand Marquis had accepted the invitation to the party.