marcus-is-death

[marcus-is-death]

Marcus chuckled. "Forcing is such a violent term." He mused. "I'll offer...and if he refuses he dies. See? Very diplomatic." As another wave of fear passed through him, he sighed. "Refreshing. Your fear. Interesting you would stand in my way...for someone who nearly destroyed your city. A city you swore to protect."

Hunter wasn't very far behind Cece. But apparently far enough for her to get herself into trouble by the sounds of it. "Move..." He told the people peeking out from the door.

At her recognition, Wyatt smiled, almost jovially. "Heeey." He drawled, waving the spear at her. "Long time, eh?"

"A parabatai?" Marcus questioned. "Ah...that's right. You didn't come with one, did you?"

Wyatt kept his gaze on Cece with an amused expression. "Nah...something happened to im at some point. Don't really remember. Maybe I killed him."

"DUCK" Hunter shouted to Cece, trusting she'd do as he had told her as he already begun to pump his ax arm. He let the weapon fly, soaring over Cece's head and striking the ground just in front of Wyatt. Intending to force him back a step. Which...didn't make him even flinch. Something that clued Hunter in that something was very, very wrong with him.

"Ah..." Wyatt replied, making a face at the axe. "There he is." He rolled his shoulder once, cracking his neck.

Marcus rolled his eyes. "Another behind the ward. Whatever shall we do?"

Another voice purred through the air. "I'll get her, boss." It said as a stalk of thorny vines seemed to come out of nowhere, aimed directly at Cece.

She didn't think saying she didn't see how else he'd get this person he was after would do her any good. So she held her tongue. But equally, keeping him talking might be her best option. If she could buy enough time till he either got bored and left, or one of the Downworlders inside came out. But how long would that be? "So you'll just force him to switch allegiance?" His admittance to recruiting and the implication that Chicago as a whole might be in danger sent a cold shiver of fear through her. She didn't let it outwardly show but she guessed he'd sense it none the less.

Shock soon joined fear as she took in the man he'd spoken to. "Wyatt?" He looked so...different. She eyed the spear in his hand. Her own itched to grab a weapon but she keep them still. At his question about her parabatai though she moved without meaning to, taking a step back towards the hospital. Because it had somehow felt like a threat. This whole interaction did. And that's where Hunter was, back behind the safety of the hospitals wards.

[marcus-is-death]

"Well...that wouldn't be very bright of him would it? Simply waltzing out into a battle field. Unless it was one of his own making it seems."

He tilted his head toward Cade who merely shrugged. There wasn't actually much for him to do. Not with the other warlock hiding behind the ward. Marcus tsked at that. "I do hate wards..." He mused. "Annoying little things. I had a ward maker at one point. I do believe she died of asphyxiation. Or something of the sort. Isn't that right?" He posed that question to Rhiatt who was watching the healer with a keen interest.

"Like I remember." He muttered. "I stand by my defense. I didn't force her to dive to her doom. She already knew lightning and water don't mix."

"I do believe that was the point." Cade mused, stroking his chin.

Rhiatt's lip quirked. "I wasn't the one who drove her mad with fright enough to jump in the first place."

"Boys..." Marcus chided. "Let's not be rude." Crossing his arms, he stamped the ground once and the shaking intensified. "Now that I think about it. Hospital's see death everyday...don't they? So...what's one more?"

He laughed at Torben's taunt. "Oh...clearly this is a civil conversation. These two..." He gestured to his warlocks. "Are mere minions. They take orders from me."

"Now who is being rude." Cade replied, coming to stand beside Marcus. "Bramble could probably give us a ladder of some sort up there. But who's to say the little vampire will still be up there? He's not keeping a very good eye on him after all."

At the mention of Magnus and Xypher Marcus laughed. Almost delighted. "Well sure...the more the merrier I say. Are they going to hide behind the ward as well? I was surely hoping for an entertaining evening."

His eyes never left Torben's as the strange woman appeared. Cade however, left his side to intercept her. Rhiatt merely squinted his eyes a bit. "Not a vampire." He decided.

Marcus chuckled at that. "Well then...the stakes it appears are on the rise." He tilted his head to their visitor. "And why is that, poppet? Will they do a trick?"

Torben raised his eyebrows a fraction at that. With everything he said he was getting a better picture of the man before him. It wasn't one he was liking much. The fact that he'd happily sacrifice people to see such a thing ordinarily only deepened the dislike.

"I wasn't crediting him with anything. Merely observing the patient seems the type to discharge himself," he didn't like this situation one bit. But he also wasn't the sort to let fear tactics work if he didn't need to. Still, he'd do all he could to keep his staff, patients and hospital safe.

His eyes drifted to the ground before the hospital as the ground began to shake. So he was a necromancer then. Less than ideal but he still wouldn't let it scare him into giving up a patient.

When he looked up again he saw they were no longer along. He eyed the two warlocks with suspicion, not needing the necromancer to speak to them to know they were with him. It had been quite some time since he'd had to deal with anything like this.

"I would much rather keep things civil," he turned his attention back to the necromancer as he casually leaned against the door frame. "But if you're bent on escalating things you won't mind if I invite a few of my friends to join me? I'm sure Magnus Bane and Xypher Slade would love to be here for it,"

He was about to continue, pointing out a number of the other old and powerful Downworlders he could call on when a light chuckle reached him. It hadn't come from inside the hospital, nor from the three warlock before him. It's source was a woman he didn't recognise who was slowly walking towards them, hands clasped behind her back, observing them as she approached.

"I think you should let him invite them. It would be so much fun to watch," she said to the necromancer.

[marcus-is-death]

At the word gruesome, his lips spread into a promising smile. "I should hope so...pity I don't have anyone disposable enough to test that theory. We're preparing for war you know..."

He chuckled darkly. "Your giving Morpheus too much credit. Why would he order his weapon out of neutral territory? Or did you not realize that's what he was? Morpheus has been stewing in this area quite a while. Gathering his numbers around Chicago. Clearly it has something here he wants. Thing is...I don't take kindly to him interfering in my plans. So you see....I need that boy in there. And if you refuse to comply...I'll be forced to take other measures to get what I want."

The ground began to shake under their feet. "There are so many dead beneath this city...so much pain over the years...I wonder what would happen...were they all to rise and take their revenge?"

A few figures came into focus then. Wade and Rhiatt. The sky started to light up with lightning and darker clouds. But Marcus held up a hand to halt their movement.

"Is he afraid, Cade?"

"Not nearly enough..." He replied darkly, eying Torben with a raised brow.

"What's with the pleasantries? Let's just torch the perimeter. They'll have to come out then. Last I checked...smoke inhalation can still kill a warlock."

Marcus smiled at Torben then. "My apologies. My little ones are testy this evening. Care to try your luck?"

"It is rather gruesome," he commented with a slight grimace. "I won't have to do any forcing. Trust me, I know the sort. He'll be out of here as soon as he's able. So I'm afraid it is much easier and far more pleasant for me to just let his short stay run it's course, let him leave of his own accord. This is a neutral place after all,"

[marcus-is-death]

"Did I admit to such a thing?" He mused. "Perhaps my ultimate goal is not to breach the wards." He considered her statement, then shrugged. "He's not...currently. But one of that caliber is not permitted to exist without swearing allegiance to me. I am recruiting you see. All of Chicago can't really be as foolish as to not understand the danger you are all in. Can you?"

He didn't move from where he stood, but the fear emanating off her was delicious. "Well....at least you seem to. Funny though..." He called back over his shoulder into the darkness. "Is this true, Wyatt? Have the nephilim finally realized the error of their ways?"

The form of a man all dressed in black fighting leathers stepped out of the shadows, the glint of the tip of his spear being the only light. "I don't know about all that..." He answered, voice dripping with madness as he squinted at the girl. "But...nephilim don't travel alone....where's your parabatai?"

"I think by your own admittance there you've proven the wards would be against you. And I was not aware he was in your ranks," she was starting to wish this conversation had begun before she'd stepped over the thresh hold and out of the protection of those wards. Could she get back over it quick enough? It was impossible to know not knowing anything about this man. Nothing except the screaming warning that he was a threat that her instincts were giving her. Her chin lifted, an automatic response anytime someone brought up her mixed heritage. "In the past maybe. Things are changing these days, for the better,"

[marcus-is-death]

Marcus eyed the hospital with a grim sort of resolve. "Yes well. I'd rather not lose any of my people...in that way." He hummed, assessing the roof. "So the protective barriers include the roof. Interesting. I do wonder...what if he doesn't come down? What would you do then? Force him out onto the street? Right into my hands? Why waste the time?"

"If you think they'd pass the test of the wards. Though I must warn you it doesn't end well for those who don't. Took forever to get the staines off the stone last time. I mean all he did was put a hand on a window ledge and," he made a gesture that suggested some sort of explosion. "I wouldn't risk it if I were you. He's got to come down eventually right?"

[marcus-is-death]

"Ah..." He smiled, feral. "But I mean him no harm. At the moment. It really would depend on his attitude. I do not permit defiance in my ranks." Narrowing his eyes at her, his smirk deepened a tad more. "But you are not merely a nephilim...are you? Interesting. I'd thought they'd done away with half bloods."

"A hospital should always be a sanctuary, a safe place for all who need healing. It's healers shouldn't show bias. Leaving someone to suffer or die is against everything being a healer is about," she countered. "Besides, the wards keep out any who mean harm," she added pointedly, getting an uneasy feeling about the man. Something in her fae genes wanted her to run but she stood her ground, letting her nephilim side win. It had always been the more dominate side.

[marcus-is-death]

"That's cute." Marcus sneered. "Play the fool if you must. Either permit my entrance or run away like the little piggie you are."

“Given your lack of knowledge on the patient in question, I can’t be certain as to who it is you are referring to, let alone if he’s here at all. Many of our patients have been discharged today, after all.”

[marcus-is-death]

"I have been nothing but respectful of this fine establishment." He said with a sniff. "You may try to defy me...in fact I invite you too. Either way...you die. Unless you provide me with what I want. In that case... you may be allowed to live. If only for a little longer."

“Threats aren’t a likely way to win your way in this building, sir. And, in any case, decisions regarding our patients’ onward care or discharge are not within your giving.”

[marcus-is-death]

"Really? What a pity. He's quite adorable really. Little dimples and everything. Shame he's such a little shit. Causing all this trouble. I certainly wouldn't have put up with this were it my boy. Put him over my knee, you know." He eyed the hospital at large. "Perhaps you could go find the owner of this lavish establishment. Surely he'd know."

Linnea remained frozen in her place in front of the door, watching the stranger with a concealed wariness. Death emanated off of him, so much so that it constricted the air around them. But she knew better than to react outwardly. “I’m afraid I wouldn’t know of any vampire warlock or the like. Even so, I’m afraid you cannot remove anyone from these walls against their will. There are protections in place against that sort of thing.”

[marcus-is-death]

"Ah..." He said as a knowing smirk passed across his lips. "My apologies in that case. So then you won't object to me sending my people up there to retrieve him.?" He jerked his chin upwards. "Unless of course you'd rather wait for his maker to come get him. Which...would end with far more blood shed than the path I am currently offering. That and it would put you on my good side."

"You're too late," he informed the other warlock, hands on his hips. "The wards informed me some hours ago that he's left the building. Against medical advice I might add," it was all technically true. Being on the roof wasn't being inside the building. Technically. "And as you correctly pointed out I'm happy to be rid of him so you can imagine I wasn't in any rush to stop him,"

[marcus-is-death]

"My...aren't you delightful." Marcus replied with a pleased smile. "I am your new ruler. Or I shall be once I knock your heads off their thrones. Won't be long now."

"No you're not," she replied flatly, "I don't know who you are but we have no further patients waiting to be discharged or collected today,"

[marcus-is-death]

"It would seem..." He mused, eying the girl with a questionable interest. "That this hospital is not as well versed as they should be. Allowing such a creature behind the protections. "Seeing how the children of the nephilim are here as well."

"Oh, I was just visiting so I have clue what you're talking about. Don't think the staff here would take kindly to it though,"

[marcus-is-death]

@Eld Cottage Hospital

"I'm here to collect the little warlock vampire. Or is he a vampire warlock? It doesn't really matter to me. Nor does it matter if he wants to come or not. And don't bother with the protective nonsense about this being a hospital. You'll be happy to be rid of him."

[marcus-is-death]

Marcus closed his eyes, inhaling deeply as the rush of images flooded through him. He smiled, a dangerously triumphant smile. Having his own Oracle was delightful.

When he opened his eyes and saw the girl, he grimaced. "Oh stop your sniveling." He snapped. "He's hardly dead."

Ophie moaned softly, his eyes slowly fluttering open. The only thing he saw was the girl. A blonde headed girl, with pain in her eyes. He didn't know her, though he thought somehow that he should. So he stared blankly up at her, uncomprehending her distress. He felt empty. Cold. Just wrong. But he also didn't know what he was supposed to feel like. Sucking in a breath, he scrambled away from the girl.

Marcus studied his nails. "Well...this is heartwarming isn't it." He muttered. His cool eyes found Ivy then. Smiling at the stricken look on her face. "It would appear there are many family secrets. Aren't there?" He mused, watching as Ophien continued to scurry away. "Though I expect you wouldn't know, would you?" He asked Ivy darkly.

Ophie found the furthest corner of the wall to curl up. Ignoring the two of them completely. He winced at the images flashed. But he didn't know from whom they came. He couldn't registered names or faces. Nothing.

"Well..." Marcus sighed, casting an almost bored glance at Ivy. "You could stay here. If you'd like." He told her conversationally. "Though...." He raised a brow at Ophien who had started mumbling and rocking back and forth. "He'll likely be a bit...scattered for a while." His smile was falsely warm as he extended a hand towards Ivy, but didn't dare touch her. "Or...I could take you to see him. Xavier's brother. Zander...is it?"

"We've talked. He and I. He seems reluctant to give me Xavier's location. But perhaps...he might listen to you. You'd hate to see anyone else be harmed right? You're a bright girl."

Ivy was silent. Like a deer caught in headlights, truly. Because she couldn't do anything but watch even if she'd wanted to, even if she'd tried. There was something about seeing Ophie so fearful that stunned her into that sort of inaction. Because even with his abilities and everything he knew, he never once had looked that way... at least not in her lifetime. And that made her terrified beyond measure. She hardly even registered the apology--the message to Jason. She forced herself to nod. A silent swear to do so.

She couldn't quite react to the knife against Ophie's skin, or indeed Marcus talking. Her entire focus was locked on her dad's face now, with Marcus a distant sort of figure in it all. Because she'd read about that sort of magic before. Knew well enough that Marcus performed it with nearly all of his minions... and that the same could be forced onto any of them as it had been with Desmond. But the sight was hard to take in, with Ophie desperately fighting it all.

The forceful push against their bond actually made Ivy stumble back a step, and she had to fight the urge to call out to Ophie, to beg him not to do that. But it wouldn't do any good. It wouldn't change anything.

And then it clicked. Ivy froze again, watching with wide-eyed horror as the pieces began to fall into place. Marcus wasn't just calling upon all of Ophie's memories, each of his thoughts, his visions... his bonds. He was taking them. He was stripping Ophie's mind blank, and that pain was all too evident in his visceral reaction.

The second Marcus dropped Ophie, Ivy darted forward, taking him into her arms and breaking the promise they'd always held between them. "Dad!" But no images came, no memories. Her lower lip trembled a bit as she ducked her head away from Marcus' view, curling herself around her dad. Because he always would be her dad, even if he didn't know her now. Even if he never did again.

[marcus-is-death]

Marcus paid apt attention to Monroe’s recollection. His wolf wouldn’t lie to him. He knew that. “Ah..” he said, his attention then shifting to Thaddeus who almost seemed to cringe, though Marcus very much doubted that was the case. He jerked his head up again by his hair. “You thought you’d play the hero… did you? My little gypsy friend.”

“Ka xlia ma pe tute.” Thaddeus replied with a murderous intent. His eyes cold but Marcus could see the pain in them. Monroe must have done some damage. Which pleased Marcus to no end.

Marcus’ lips twitched a bit. “Fascinating…” He purred, turning his fingers to tilt the other warlock’s face to better inspect him. “Portals are a cumbersome thing… aren’t they?” He mused. “Such a power to have in such a weak little creature.” He sighed. “And yet Desmond does seem rather fond of you…isn’t he?” His fingers slid down the side of his face, cupping it almost gently. “Well… perhaps we ought to have a talk with him then. An exchange? No… I shan’t be willing to do that.” His words trailed off, almost as if he were considering something. “Though I can’t help but wonder what he would in fact do… for you?”

Thaddeus raised his chin defiantly. “You will leave him alone.” He said with great finality. “Because if you don’t I’m not taking your sorry ass any damn place.”

Marcus made a pleased sound. “Well then… I suppose we’ll just have to convince you. Shouldn’t we?” He turned back to Monroe. “I accept your truth, pet.” He told him. Then he gave Thaddeus a shove in the wolf’s direction. “Do show our dear guest what happens to those who oppose me?” Then he frowned a little. “Do take care not to maim him too permanently. I do suppose he’ll be needing his limbs to be of use to me.”

Then, he forgot about them entirely. Stalking over to the other three. He glanced down at Ivy with distaste. He knew better than to touch her. He wouldn’t be giving up any of his secrets to her. “And where would they go? I wonder…” His eyes turned to Zander then. “I do suppose you’ll continue to play dumb?”

Zander, startled, blinked at him. “What?” He tightened his hold on Ophie.

Marcus narrowed his eyes at him. Then turned towards Constance. “Pet…” He regarded her. “Take the girl and the Oracle down to the locker room. Put them with the fae. Zander and I… have some things to discuss.”

It all happened very fast. From one moment to the next. Marcus waved one hand towards Monroe, using his power to stop him in his tracks. With the other hand, he caught Thaddeus by the back of his neck. He turned towards his wolf, pulling a resistance Thaddeus with him.

He cast a curious glance at the girl. Zander who still held Ophien in his lap. His lip turned up a bit. A sense of cool satisfaction seemed to wash over him then. Because even if Ivy or Zander didn’t know precisely where Xavier was. They would help him find him. Because they had to. To preserve their little family.

That would also gain him other things he wanted. Like Chance. Like Caius. Because Marcus never gave up things that belonged to him.

Marcus turned his gaze back to Monroe. Who was rippling with anger. Marcus liked anger. “Monroe…” He purred. “Is this true? Did you lay your hands so carelessly on something that was mine?” He sighed like it pained him. “And here I was about to give you this one…” he said jerking Thaddeus closer to him.

And Thaddeus had no desire to be there. So he dug his heels into the floor to hold himself still though it didn’t work. And he went tumbling into Marcus with a gasp. Marcus tsked at him in a condescending way.

Marcus returned his attention to Monroe. “When perhaps what I should do is give you to Constance to play with. You’ve been very naughty.” He released his hold on Monroe expecting him to stay put. He used his now free hand to bury his fingers in Thaddeus’ hair. Pulling his chin up so his furious blue eyes met his. “And where did your little portal take my Xavier?”

Thaddeus showed him his teeth. Ivy had told him that already. But he wasn’t going to confirm it. “Somewhere you’ll never find him!” He snapped. Which wasn’t an actual lie. He expected Desmond would have taken him somewhere else by now.

Marcus didn’t appreciate that, so he caught him under the chin in a rather demanding sort of way. “Perhaps you don’t understand the stakes here… maybe i should call Desmond back here and then make him kill you. Wouldn’t that be fun?”

Zander made a strangled sound,

Marcus just smiled as the color faded from Thaddeus’ face. “Though i suppose Monroe would enjoy a nice bite out of you too. Though he’s in trouble right now, aren’t you pet?”

[marcus-is-death]

It all happened very fast. From one moment to the next. Marcus waved one hand towards Monroe, using his power to stop him in his tracks. With the other hand, he caught Thaddeus by the back of his neck. He turned towards his wolf, pulling a resistance Thaddeus with him.

He cast a curious glance at the girl. Zander who still held Ophien in his lap. His lip turned up a bit. A sense of cool satisfaction seemed to wash over him then. Because even if Ivy or Zander didn’t know precisely where Xavier was. They would help him find him. Because they had to. To preserve their little family.

That would also gain him other things he wanted. Like Chance. Like Caius. Because Marcus never gave up things that belonged to him.

Marcus turned his gaze back to Monroe. Who was rippling with anger. Marcus liked anger. “Monroe…” He purred. “Is this true? Did you lay your hands so carelessly on something that was mine?” He sighed like it pained him. “And here I was about to give you this one…” he said jerking Thaddeus closer to him.

And Thaddeus had no desire to be there. So he dug his heels into the floor to hold himself still though it didn’t work. And he went tumbling into Marcus with a gasp. Marcus tsked at him in a condescending way.

Marcus returned his attention to Monroe. “When perhaps what I should do is give you to Constance to play with. You’ve been very naughty.” He released his hold on Monroe expecting him to stay put. He used his now free hand to bury his fingers in Thaddeus’ hair. Pulling his chin up so his furious blue eyes met his. “And where did your little portal take my Xavier?”

Thaddeus showed him his teeth. Ivy had told him that already. But he wasn’t going to confirm it. “Somewhere you’ll never find him!” He snapped. Which wasn’t an actual lie. He expected Desmond would have taken him somewhere else by now.

Marcus didn’t appreciate that, so he caught him under the chin in a rather demanding sort of way. “Perhaps you don’t understand the stakes here… maybe i should call Desmond back here and then make him kill you. Wouldn’t that be fun?”

Zander made a strangled sound,

Marcus just smiled as the color faded from Thaddeus’ face. “Though i suppose Monroe would enjoy a nice bite out of you too. Though he’s in trouble right now, aren’t you pet?”

“Injured?” Marcus spat, with enough force to make Zander jump.

At the moment though, Zander asked. “What?” He was having a really hard time processing everything happening around him. “He… he can’t have been. I would have noticed.” But then he stopped his argument. Because he had known, hadn’t he? He’d felt him there. But had been too caught up in other things to have taken the time to learn that. The guilt of that realization made him flinch away, though he didn’t make it far.

Marcus, already agitated, jerked Zander making him wince. “Who?” He snarled. “Hurt him?” His eyes moved around the room with deadly precision. “And who was stupid enough to let him get away?” His eyes landed on Monroe and Thaddeus. Because yes. That was starting to make sense. He released his hold on Zander and stalked across room.

Zander stumbled but caught himself. He spared a helpless glance over towards Thaddeus and the wolf before he was instantly by Ivy. Pulling her into his arms. “Oh golly…” He cried. “Oh baby are you okay?”

Marcus turned his nose down at Monroe. “Tell me, pet. How was it that Xavier got away from you?” But he already knew. He nudged Thaddeus with his shoe. “Let him up.”

Zander, after wiping Ivy’s face with his hand. Pulled her with over to where Ophie lay. “Stay here… with me.” He told her, falling down on his knees to pull Ophie’s limp body onto his lap. Ophie didn’t respond. Which scared him. He cast at look up at Ivy. “It’s okay.” He told her, because he had to. “We’ll be okay.”

[marcus-is-death]

“Injured?” Marcus spat, with enough force to make Zander jump.

At the moment though, Zander asked. “What?” He was having a really hard time processing everything happening around him. “He… he can’t have been. I would have noticed.” But then he stopped his argument. Because he had known, hadn’t he? He’d felt him there. But had been too caught up in other things to have taken the time to learn that. The guilt of that realization made him flinch away, though he didn’t make it far.

Marcus, already agitated, jerked Zander making him wince. “Who?” He snarled. “Hurt him?” His eyes moved around the room with deadly precision. “And who was stupid enough to let him get away?” His eyes landed on Monroe and Thaddeus. Because yes. That was starting to make sense. He released his hold on Zander and stalked across room.

Zander stumbled but caught himself. He spared a helpless glance over towards Thaddeus and the wolf before he was instantly by Ivy. Pulling her into his arms. “Oh golly…” He cried. “Oh baby are you okay?”

Marcus turned his nose down at Monroe. “Tell me, pet. How was it that Xavier got away from you?” But he already knew. He nudged Thaddeus with his shoe. “Let him up.”

Zander, after wiping Ivy’s face with his hand. Pulled her with over to where Ophie lay. “Stay here… with me.” He told her, falling down on his knees to pull Ophie’s limp body onto his lap. Ophie didn’t respond. Which scared him. He cast at look up at Ivy. “It’s okay.” He told her, because he had to. “We’ll be okay.”

“What?” There absolute desperation in Zander’s voice as his eyes darted around the room, trying to follow the conversation.

Marcus noticed the way he trembled in his arms. And it sent a little thrill of excitement through him. Xavier never trembled like that. He laughed then, a low husky sound. Pressing his nose under Zander’s right ear. He made to taste his skin there but then he noticed something. A scar on his collarbone. Just visible from the opening of his shirt. He’d been claimed already. The bloody Panda it seemed. He growled, tightening his hold making Zander squeak.

But the girl said something interesting, and he pulled back from Zander’s throat. He eyed Monroe who was practically sitting on Thaddeus. And Marcus did wonder just how far things would have to go before Thaddeus broke too. That thought made him smile a little, a dangerous smile.

Thaddeus who was currently struggling feebly against Monroe who was all muscle and much stronger. Ophien wasn’t fairing much better. He’d stopped writhing and was now just twitching at odd intervals, his body spasming and releasing again.

Marcus turned a cool expression towards Ivy then. “Well then, poppet.” He purred, pulling a resisting Zander a little closer. “Why don’t you tell me what you know? Where is my, Xavier?”