TPTB Ch.14. No Rest For The Wicked
Title: No Rest for the Wicked (14/?)
Series: The Powers That Be
Author: Romanceguru
Disclaimer: Joss is the boss of me.
Rating: R for heaps of immorality.
Fandom: Firefly/Angel
Pairing: Marcus/River
Warning: Possibly very dark and disturbing.
Summary: Skyplexs, ice planets and ritual sacrifices, oh my!
Timeline: Time elapse, 2 weeks following Ch. 13 “ The Devil is in the Details”.
Notes: Sorry it took so long. I really had to reevaluate what being in a relationship with someone evil would entail. Anyways, a few of you wondered how Marcus would react to the revelation that River was going to kill him in the end. This is my take.
Thank
guinny_hamilton for her constant pestering… *flinches* A chat with her got the ideas rolling again! So yay her! Also to my love-rly beta
elsibet34.
Previous Chapters
The Skyplex was a mishmash of communal mayhem, a traveling circus frozen in space.
Travelers from far and wide swarmed the place, bartering, selling, buying and buying some more. Everyone desperate to make some coin or spend some. It was a blessed union for those far from civilization.
There were carts, stands and makeshift shops for every need or whim. Plush velvets and silks hung in massive rows, flaunting their rich colors and patterns to every passerby.
A stock pile of guns and ammo laid spread out on a large table, their dangerous gleam a promising investment to those with pockets heavy enough for trade. A mixture of aromas hung in the air as foods sizzled in their woks, the crackling sound beckoning to the hungry.
Wandering through the crowds, River felt her skin tingle with excitement. Everything buzzed with energy and life. It had been so long since she had been surrounded by people, actual and whole. Not doctors and politicians with their deadened eyes and scalpels. Not demons and vampires who continued to haunt her fragmented her reality.
Then there was he at her side, a monster but not, a something that wanted to be, only he didn’t know it yet, couldn’t.
River snuck a glance at Marcus, cool and smooth as ever and paying mind to nothing but her; an observer living through her reactions. A small smile formed on her lips and suddenly she wanted to show him everything…if she could just remember how to be a girl in this world.
“See anything you like?” Marcus offered, catching a hint of something mischievous in River’s expression.
River’s smile widened, her insides warm and clinched. There was nothing she wanted for, and she imagined that was the perfect place to be.
“You’re taking a risk.” She observed as they walked, her hands dancing over everything in their path but never touching. No touching.
Walking by a stand selling bobble-headed geisha dolls, Marcus quirked an eyebrow. “Purchasing anything here comes with its risks.”
“They’re going to find us.” River clarified as she stopped suddenly at a cart and eyed an array of sphere-like delectables. She felt a presence, familiar but not, yet at the same time felt safe under Marcus’ shadow.
“Nonsense.” Marcus countered calmly as he handed a bill over to the vendor, who unhooked a treat and supplied it to River. “That’s why we came to this out-of-the-way place. To avoid detection.”
Looking around, Marcus winced at the loud display around him. “I would have preferred to take you somewhere…a little less kitschy.”
As Marcus spoke, River sniffed the thing on the end of her little fishing pole curiously. The ice bumped the tip of her nose and swung away. Trying again, she attempted to lick the treat, but it bounced away again, evermore elusive.
Turning back to River, Marcus watched with amusement as the girl struggled; her pouty, little mouth fervently working for more than a second worth of refreshment.
River wrinkled up her nose and frowned at the thing. “My food is troublesome.” She concluded with a hit of disappointment.
A wry smile formed on Marcus’ lips. “So this is who the fates have sent us, a girl who can’t even figure out how to eat an ice-planet?” Moving behind River, Marcus placed one hand on her waist while running the other along the underside of her arm, lifting it higher.
“Tilt your head back.” He instructed as he helped her guide the sphere just above her lips. “You can’t force it.”
Leaning back against Marcus’ crisp suit, River’s lips kissed the cool treat and held steady as a trickle of cool liquid quenched her thirst. It tasted of fruit and childhood, of simplicity.
Marcus smiled wickedly as he watched her drink, the innocent act looking decidedly sexy.
Tightening his grip on her waist, Marcus leaned into the clean sent of River’s hair, desire thick in tone and suggestion. “We don’t have to stay.” He proposed, secretly wishing away the masses that surrounded them. Ordinarily he wouldn’t mind an audience, but she might.
River shivered as Marcus’ words sunk in and lit her skin on fire. He was insatiable. Turning in his arms, she peered up at him with amusement and then contemplation.
Raising to the tips of her toes, she planted an affectionate kiss on his cheek. “This was your idea.” She reminded, and then returned to her heels. “Atonement.”
Smiling chivalrously, Marcus set a heavy hand on her lower back, pushing her along. “Yes, well, we’d better make the most of it.”
---
Whispering explanation in River’s ear, Marcus quietly excused himself from the palm reader’s tent, smiling to himself as the girl continued to question the old woman’s validity.
Something about the absurdness of one’s molecular structure foretelling love and mortality. Marcus wondered if River just hadn’t liked the gypsy’s answer.
Raising his arm, Marcus checked his wristwatch, waited patiently until the minute-hand ticked to the hour, and then lifted his head to scan the crowd. It was important that this be done right, which from experience, meant he had to be there in the flesh.
River need not know there were ulterior motives for their coming here. Not when she looked so happy. It would be a genuine shame to ruin that now.
Watching from across the way, Marcus’ eyes filled with a satisfied gleam as the job was done to his satisfaction. He did so love when things fell neatly into place.
---
It was late when they returned home. With a wave of his hand, Marcus stepped from one floating address to the next, guiding the tired thing back to into the quiet of their dark bedroom.
Their bedroom. It had been that way for two weeks now, ever since she’d stop sleeping in her own. Since the demon. Since she’d let him in.
The things they would do to one another rebelled against both of their very natures, compromise being key. You wouldn’t think it to look at her, but the small thing was a phenomenal lover.
Perhaps it was her persistent devotion? After all, is wasn’t everyday a creature gave him their all, not willingly anyways. He’d be lying if he said he didn’t enjoy owning every exquisite inch of her.
Sitting River on the side of the bed, Marcus shook her a little to get her to wake up fully, hoping to tempt her into some late night fun. Stepping back, he watched as she wavered and fell onto her side, curling into the blankets and mumbling something about cow fetuses in jars.
Well, there was always the morning. After all, it had been an extremely eventful day, and because of that, he was quite sated. Orchestrating the malevolent was the air he lived and breathed by.
Smiling in the dark, Marcus loosened his tie and peeled the clothing from his body, eager to pull River’s warm one against his under the covers. She always fit perfectly against him, and it was hard to image that before her, he’d preferred to sleep alone.
Crawling up the bed, he wrapped his large form around her small one, remaining propped up on one elbow so he could appreciate her. A thick curtain of hair obscured her face, so he brushed it back and tucked it neatly behind her ear.
It was a pity that this wouldn’t last long, he thought idly as he traced the delicate line of her jaw, admiring every detail as she slept. He had very much wanted to keep River Tam, but it would be foolish now that he knew the truth.
From day one the girl had slowly crawled under his skin, infecting him with her humanity. He had come so close to slipping, flirting with the idea of going against the very thing that made him, but at the end of the day, she was still crazy and he was ultimately evil.
Marcus didn’t blame her for trying. In fact, he was glad she did. Who said he couldn’t have the best of both worlds? For a little while at least.
It was a simple, fundamental rule that had helped him finally see things for what they were, one he‘d always held to; never let them kill you first.
---
River stabbed at her breakfast with her fork, muttering bitterly under her breath. Something wasn’t right, something was always not right. He was being it again.
In sharp contrast, Marcus sat to the left of her, at the head of the long table looking and delighted. “We did your thing last night.” He continued to argue, happily spooning in a mouthful of eggs and swallowing promptly. “It’s only a simple sacrifice, River. Besides, these things never last long, we’ll be back in time to do whatever it is you might want to do. Snuggle, sip hot cocoa…” He suggested patronizingly.
River stuck her fork firmly in the slice of ham on her plate and returned her hands to her lap, refusing to look at him.
A triumphant smirk smeared Marcus’ face as he watched the girl silently concede. “It’s settled, then. We’ll have a lovely time, I promise.”
Setting his forearms on the table, Marcus leaned forward, reveling in her anger, and kissed her cheek softly. “Let’s go up stairs.” He suggested in a low voice. “We have the day to waste.”
The heat of his breath on her face was nothing compared to the fire that burned through her body at his words, at his blatant insinuation. Closing her eyes, River took in a deep breath, fighting his hold. It had been weeks since he had tested her, and foolishly, she thought that perhaps…no she interrupted firmly, you knew.
Standing gracefully, River turned from the table and away from Marcus without so much a glance. The last thing she needed was his wicked hands molding her compliant, making her do things, causing her to forget that the line remained constantly blurred.
She got about a step before his hand encircled firmly around her wrist. “Or right here will do.” He affirmed mercilessly, pulling her to him. Standing at full height, he towered over her, a force to be reckoned with.
Staring numbly at Marcus’ tie, plum today, River’s voice was deadened. “I won’t enjoy it.”
Backing her up against the table, Marcus reached around and cleared the surface in one swipe, plates and food crashing first against the wall and then to the floor.
Lifting her up onto the table effortlessly, he wrapped her long legs around him, and unzipped. Tilting her chin up, he simply moved the fabric of her panties aside as he slowly pushed in, needing to see her face, watch the defiance melt away as he took her.
“Yes, you will.” He bolstered confidently, the taut resistance of her heat just as delightfully stubborn at the girl herself.
---
It was just before dusk as they arrived on an island similar to their own. The place was quickly crowding with all sorts, everything from the new Fell Brethren to corrupt higher ups from the alliance core. To them, an event such as this was the equivalent of the opera for humans. Their thirst for blood and death and the chance to rub elbows with the most affluent evil in the ’verse was just too good an opportunity to pass up.
Marcus nodded and smiled at the passing guests as he held firmly to River’s arm, an air of aloofness carrying each stride as he pulled the girl along.
Dressed to the nines in a long, delicate flowing dress, River half clung, half fought Marcus’ clutch. Her gaze lingered on each horrific face they passed, too many to calculate within reason. Her nightmares had officially bled over into actuality.
An excited murmur buzzed through the masses gathering in the courtyard, the eerie sound drifting up into the warm, purpling sky as they walked down several candlelit steps.
Just down the way, a familiar voice shouted at them from within a group of fury demons, their jaws snapping and salivating as they spoke in foreign tongue. Culverton’s thick head of blonde hair appeared from around the bunch, waving his hand eagerly at them. “Hamilton! You made it!” He exclaimed excitedly.
The temporary head of the Londinium office made his way over, lifting his hands up as he squeezed past the creatures, trying to avoid the yellow slime that dripped from their backs.
River shivered as her eyes jerked from one horrific sight to the next, overwhelmed by the sheer volume. The thin link to her sanity was quickly slipping away as the hungry, anticipatory buzz grew more frenzied.
Stopping short of the couple, Culverton appraised them, “Well of course you did.” He reasoned. “This is your gala, isn’t it Marcus? Splendid turn out, by the way.”
Twitching in surprise, River looked up at Marcus who simply smiled down at her without explanation.
“River, it’s delightful to see you again.” Culverton offered, taking her hand and bowing slightly as he kissed it. “I hear you’ve been keeping Marky here quite occupied.” He spilled with a wink.
Pulling her hand away, River’s mind went frantic, not knowing whom to address. She couldn’t read either of them. Not here. It was too loud.
“We’re simply guests of honor, River.” Marcus reassured, noticing the girl’s eyes grow wide. Gesturing to the growing crowd, he imparted graciously, “All these fine creatures came just for you. In support, that is.”
Patting her hand like there we’re casual strangers, his expression was painfully gleeful. “Of course, we’ll be closest to the action. You especially, River. We have front row seats.” He concluded delightfully.
River didn’t understand, was she the sacrifice? And if he had planned to kill her all along, why now? Why wait? Then it hit her, the full force of his cruelty stealing the air from her lungs, showing her just how severely her heart could ache.
Without deception, he had succeeded in making her love him as is, of her own free will. It would have been too easy to destroy her in the beginning. There hadn’t been anything to take away then.
River looked up at Marcus, numbly studying his face, the beautiful mask that hid so much ugliness. Even now she wanted to believe it, she wanted to kiss him and take him away from this place. Make it like it was before, when he had wanted to know their end.
Eyes widening in realization, the whole of it hit her. This was simply her fate in exchange for his, self-preservation trumping love and lust and all the wonderful things that could have been.
Marcus watched the flicker of realization set in on the girl‘s face. Lifting his hand to her dark hair, he smoothed it absentmindedly between his fingers. Even now, he couldn‘t get over how beautiful she was. If he had been capable of love, she would have been it. “You do understand this is not personal, don‘t you?” He asked softly.
River flinched at his touch, how could it be so real and false at the same time?
“This is how it has to be.” Marcus concluded unapologetically as he leaned in and placed his lips on River’s, kissing her deeply. As always, his mouth was warm and convincing, impossible to refuse. Parting her lips, River closed her eyes and allowed herself to pretend one last time.
When Marcus pulled away, River choked back the emotion and fear that threatened to swallow her whole. This was it, the end of nothing and she knew what she had to do. She needed to take this moment from him, and the only way to do that was to make this her choice.
“Do it.” River braved, holding her wrists up to him, using every ounce of strength she possessed not to cry. She was tired of crying. Holding up her chin, she was resolute. “There’s nothing left you can take from me.”
Placing his heavy hands on River’s, Marcus lowered them, almost chuckling. “Don’t be silly. I’m not going to kill you.”
Culverton grabbed a glass of champagne from the tray of a passing waiter and snorted before taking a drink. “The girl still doesn’t know her place in the grand scheme of things, eh, Marcus? I take it back; you are good.” He complimented, before knocking back the entire glass of bubbly.
A thunderous commotion erupted from the opposite end of the crowd, causing River to forget the moment. Rising to her toes, she squinted as she tried to make out whom or what was being lead to the large slab of concrete at the front.
An invisible hand propelled her forward. There was something familiar in the shadowy outline, something warm and impossible to conceive.
Before she knew it, her feet were moving of their own accord, seeking out what she already knew. Hurrying down the rest of the steps, she blindly tried to push through the impenetrable mass, not caring whom or what she may be touching.
Marcus appeared behind River and calmly commanded that they make way, and suddenly a narrow path appeared. A cold hatred pressed in all around her as she ran through the gap and up the adjacent steps, up to where they were chaining him down.
Everything inside her broke as she saw his face, her voice quivering with a flood of emotion as she dropped down by his side, his blue eyes piercing hers as she stroked his face lovingly, franticly.
“Simon” She whispered, her voice breaking tragically. Her hands continued to move over his smooth skin, saying what words could not.
“River.” Simon answered, trembling, wanting to reach up and touch her, to know that she was real. But they were binding his wrists and ankles, stretching his limbs cruelly.
Walking calmly up the steps, Marcus looked down at the scene coolly.
River could feel him behind her, the heat of her betrayer at her back, her Judas. Still clutching to Simon, she turned looked up at him with unsteady eyes, knowing from this moment forward, she’d never be able to see him as anything but a monster.
Marcus nodded at the minions as they stepped away from the platform and moved to the lever that would crank it upright. Returning his frozen gaze to River’s, he clasped his hands together enthusiastically.
“Surprise.” He offered cheerfully, as if this were the best day ever. “I hope you like what I brought you, River. I had wanted to do something truly special for your birthday, you see.”
Then his expression darkened dramatically, his steely eyes returning to their former glory. “Something you’d never forget.”
-----
TBC…
Next CH: Triggered
Series: The Powers That Be
Author: Romanceguru
Disclaimer: Joss is the boss of me.
Rating: R for heaps of immorality.
Fandom: Firefly/Angel
Pairing: Marcus/River
Warning: Possibly very dark and disturbing.
Summary: Skyplexs, ice planets and ritual sacrifices, oh my!
Timeline: Time elapse, 2 weeks following Ch. 13 “ The Devil is in the Details”.
Notes: Sorry it took so long. I really had to reevaluate what being in a relationship with someone evil would entail. Anyways, a few of you wondered how Marcus would react to the revelation that River was going to kill him in the end. This is my take.
Thank
guinny_hamilton for her constant pestering… *flinches* A chat with her got the ideas rolling again! So yay her! Also to my love-rly beta
elsibet34.
Previous Chapters
The Skyplex was a mishmash of communal mayhem, a traveling circus frozen in space.
Travelers from far and wide swarmed the place, bartering, selling, buying and buying some more. Everyone desperate to make some coin or spend some. It was a blessed union for those far from civilization.
There were carts, stands and makeshift shops for every need or whim. Plush velvets and silks hung in massive rows, flaunting their rich colors and patterns to every passerby.
A stock pile of guns and ammo laid spread out on a large table, their dangerous gleam a promising investment to those with pockets heavy enough for trade. A mixture of aromas hung in the air as foods sizzled in their woks, the crackling sound beckoning to the hungry.
Wandering through the crowds, River felt her skin tingle with excitement. Everything buzzed with energy and life. It had been so long since she had been surrounded by people, actual and whole. Not doctors and politicians with their deadened eyes and scalpels. Not demons and vampires who continued to haunt her fragmented her reality.
Then there was he at her side, a monster but not, a something that wanted to be, only he didn’t know it yet, couldn’t.
River snuck a glance at Marcus, cool and smooth as ever and paying mind to nothing but her; an observer living through her reactions. A small smile formed on her lips and suddenly she wanted to show him everything…if she could just remember how to be a girl in this world.
“See anything you like?” Marcus offered, catching a hint of something mischievous in River’s expression.
River’s smile widened, her insides warm and clinched. There was nothing she wanted for, and she imagined that was the perfect place to be.
“You’re taking a risk.” She observed as they walked, her hands dancing over everything in their path but never touching. No touching.
Walking by a stand selling bobble-headed geisha dolls, Marcus quirked an eyebrow. “Purchasing anything here comes with its risks.”
“They’re going to find us.” River clarified as she stopped suddenly at a cart and eyed an array of sphere-like delectables. She felt a presence, familiar but not, yet at the same time felt safe under Marcus’ shadow.
“Nonsense.” Marcus countered calmly as he handed a bill over to the vendor, who unhooked a treat and supplied it to River. “That’s why we came to this out-of-the-way place. To avoid detection.”
Looking around, Marcus winced at the loud display around him. “I would have preferred to take you somewhere…a little less kitschy.”
As Marcus spoke, River sniffed the thing on the end of her little fishing pole curiously. The ice bumped the tip of her nose and swung away. Trying again, she attempted to lick the treat, but it bounced away again, evermore elusive.
Turning back to River, Marcus watched with amusement as the girl struggled; her pouty, little mouth fervently working for more than a second worth of refreshment.
River wrinkled up her nose and frowned at the thing. “My food is troublesome.” She concluded with a hit of disappointment.
A wry smile formed on Marcus’ lips. “So this is who the fates have sent us, a girl who can’t even figure out how to eat an ice-planet?” Moving behind River, Marcus placed one hand on her waist while running the other along the underside of her arm, lifting it higher.
“Tilt your head back.” He instructed as he helped her guide the sphere just above her lips. “You can’t force it.”
Leaning back against Marcus’ crisp suit, River’s lips kissed the cool treat and held steady as a trickle of cool liquid quenched her thirst. It tasted of fruit and childhood, of simplicity.
Marcus smiled wickedly as he watched her drink, the innocent act looking decidedly sexy.
Tightening his grip on her waist, Marcus leaned into the clean sent of River’s hair, desire thick in tone and suggestion. “We don’t have to stay.” He proposed, secretly wishing away the masses that surrounded them. Ordinarily he wouldn’t mind an audience, but she might.
River shivered as Marcus’ words sunk in and lit her skin on fire. He was insatiable. Turning in his arms, she peered up at him with amusement and then contemplation.
Raising to the tips of her toes, she planted an affectionate kiss on his cheek. “This was your idea.” She reminded, and then returned to her heels. “Atonement.”
Smiling chivalrously, Marcus set a heavy hand on her lower back, pushing her along. “Yes, well, we’d better make the most of it.”
---
Whispering explanation in River’s ear, Marcus quietly excused himself from the palm reader’s tent, smiling to himself as the girl continued to question the old woman’s validity.
Something about the absurdness of one’s molecular structure foretelling love and mortality. Marcus wondered if River just hadn’t liked the gypsy’s answer.
Raising his arm, Marcus checked his wristwatch, waited patiently until the minute-hand ticked to the hour, and then lifted his head to scan the crowd. It was important that this be done right, which from experience, meant he had to be there in the flesh.
River need not know there were ulterior motives for their coming here. Not when she looked so happy. It would be a genuine shame to ruin that now.
Watching from across the way, Marcus’ eyes filled with a satisfied gleam as the job was done to his satisfaction. He did so love when things fell neatly into place.
---
It was late when they returned home. With a wave of his hand, Marcus stepped from one floating address to the next, guiding the tired thing back to into the quiet of their dark bedroom.
Their bedroom. It had been that way for two weeks now, ever since she’d stop sleeping in her own. Since the demon. Since she’d let him in.
The things they would do to one another rebelled against both of their very natures, compromise being key. You wouldn’t think it to look at her, but the small thing was a phenomenal lover.
Perhaps it was her persistent devotion? After all, is wasn’t everyday a creature gave him their all, not willingly anyways. He’d be lying if he said he didn’t enjoy owning every exquisite inch of her.
Sitting River on the side of the bed, Marcus shook her a little to get her to wake up fully, hoping to tempt her into some late night fun. Stepping back, he watched as she wavered and fell onto her side, curling into the blankets and mumbling something about cow fetuses in jars.
Well, there was always the morning. After all, it had been an extremely eventful day, and because of that, he was quite sated. Orchestrating the malevolent was the air he lived and breathed by.
Smiling in the dark, Marcus loosened his tie and peeled the clothing from his body, eager to pull River’s warm one against his under the covers. She always fit perfectly against him, and it was hard to image that before her, he’d preferred to sleep alone.
Crawling up the bed, he wrapped his large form around her small one, remaining propped up on one elbow so he could appreciate her. A thick curtain of hair obscured her face, so he brushed it back and tucked it neatly behind her ear.
It was a pity that this wouldn’t last long, he thought idly as he traced the delicate line of her jaw, admiring every detail as she slept. He had very much wanted to keep River Tam, but it would be foolish now that he knew the truth.
From day one the girl had slowly crawled under his skin, infecting him with her humanity. He had come so close to slipping, flirting with the idea of going against the very thing that made him, but at the end of the day, she was still crazy and he was ultimately evil.
Marcus didn’t blame her for trying. In fact, he was glad she did. Who said he couldn’t have the best of both worlds? For a little while at least.
It was a simple, fundamental rule that had helped him finally see things for what they were, one he‘d always held to; never let them kill you first.
---
River stabbed at her breakfast with her fork, muttering bitterly under her breath. Something wasn’t right, something was always not right. He was being it again.
In sharp contrast, Marcus sat to the left of her, at the head of the long table looking and delighted. “We did your thing last night.” He continued to argue, happily spooning in a mouthful of eggs and swallowing promptly. “It’s only a simple sacrifice, River. Besides, these things never last long, we’ll be back in time to do whatever it is you might want to do. Snuggle, sip hot cocoa…” He suggested patronizingly.
River stuck her fork firmly in the slice of ham on her plate and returned her hands to her lap, refusing to look at him.
A triumphant smirk smeared Marcus’ face as he watched the girl silently concede. “It’s settled, then. We’ll have a lovely time, I promise.”
Setting his forearms on the table, Marcus leaned forward, reveling in her anger, and kissed her cheek softly. “Let’s go up stairs.” He suggested in a low voice. “We have the day to waste.”
The heat of his breath on her face was nothing compared to the fire that burned through her body at his words, at his blatant insinuation. Closing her eyes, River took in a deep breath, fighting his hold. It had been weeks since he had tested her, and foolishly, she thought that perhaps…no she interrupted firmly, you knew.
Standing gracefully, River turned from the table and away from Marcus without so much a glance. The last thing she needed was his wicked hands molding her compliant, making her do things, causing her to forget that the line remained constantly blurred.
She got about a step before his hand encircled firmly around her wrist. “Or right here will do.” He affirmed mercilessly, pulling her to him. Standing at full height, he towered over her, a force to be reckoned with.
Staring numbly at Marcus’ tie, plum today, River’s voice was deadened. “I won’t enjoy it.”
Backing her up against the table, Marcus reached around and cleared the surface in one swipe, plates and food crashing first against the wall and then to the floor.
Lifting her up onto the table effortlessly, he wrapped her long legs around him, and unzipped. Tilting her chin up, he simply moved the fabric of her panties aside as he slowly pushed in, needing to see her face, watch the defiance melt away as he took her.
“Yes, you will.” He bolstered confidently, the taut resistance of her heat just as delightfully stubborn at the girl herself.
---
It was just before dusk as they arrived on an island similar to their own. The place was quickly crowding with all sorts, everything from the new Fell Brethren to corrupt higher ups from the alliance core. To them, an event such as this was the equivalent of the opera for humans. Their thirst for blood and death and the chance to rub elbows with the most affluent evil in the ’verse was just too good an opportunity to pass up.
Marcus nodded and smiled at the passing guests as he held firmly to River’s arm, an air of aloofness carrying each stride as he pulled the girl along.
Dressed to the nines in a long, delicate flowing dress, River half clung, half fought Marcus’ clutch. Her gaze lingered on each horrific face they passed, too many to calculate within reason. Her nightmares had officially bled over into actuality.
An excited murmur buzzed through the masses gathering in the courtyard, the eerie sound drifting up into the warm, purpling sky as they walked down several candlelit steps.
Just down the way, a familiar voice shouted at them from within a group of fury demons, their jaws snapping and salivating as they spoke in foreign tongue. Culverton’s thick head of blonde hair appeared from around the bunch, waving his hand eagerly at them. “Hamilton! You made it!” He exclaimed excitedly.
The temporary head of the Londinium office made his way over, lifting his hands up as he squeezed past the creatures, trying to avoid the yellow slime that dripped from their backs.
River shivered as her eyes jerked from one horrific sight to the next, overwhelmed by the sheer volume. The thin link to her sanity was quickly slipping away as the hungry, anticipatory buzz grew more frenzied.
Stopping short of the couple, Culverton appraised them, “Well of course you did.” He reasoned. “This is your gala, isn’t it Marcus? Splendid turn out, by the way.”
Twitching in surprise, River looked up at Marcus who simply smiled down at her without explanation.
“River, it’s delightful to see you again.” Culverton offered, taking her hand and bowing slightly as he kissed it. “I hear you’ve been keeping Marky here quite occupied.” He spilled with a wink.
Pulling her hand away, River’s mind went frantic, not knowing whom to address. She couldn’t read either of them. Not here. It was too loud.
“We’re simply guests of honor, River.” Marcus reassured, noticing the girl’s eyes grow wide. Gesturing to the growing crowd, he imparted graciously, “All these fine creatures came just for you. In support, that is.”
Patting her hand like there we’re casual strangers, his expression was painfully gleeful. “Of course, we’ll be closest to the action. You especially, River. We have front row seats.” He concluded delightfully.
River didn’t understand, was she the sacrifice? And if he had planned to kill her all along, why now? Why wait? Then it hit her, the full force of his cruelty stealing the air from her lungs, showing her just how severely her heart could ache.
Without deception, he had succeeded in making her love him as is, of her own free will. It would have been too easy to destroy her in the beginning. There hadn’t been anything to take away then.
River looked up at Marcus, numbly studying his face, the beautiful mask that hid so much ugliness. Even now she wanted to believe it, she wanted to kiss him and take him away from this place. Make it like it was before, when he had wanted to know their end.
Eyes widening in realization, the whole of it hit her. This was simply her fate in exchange for his, self-preservation trumping love and lust and all the wonderful things that could have been.
Marcus watched the flicker of realization set in on the girl‘s face. Lifting his hand to her dark hair, he smoothed it absentmindedly between his fingers. Even now, he couldn‘t get over how beautiful she was. If he had been capable of love, she would have been it. “You do understand this is not personal, don‘t you?” He asked softly.
River flinched at his touch, how could it be so real and false at the same time?
“This is how it has to be.” Marcus concluded unapologetically as he leaned in and placed his lips on River’s, kissing her deeply. As always, his mouth was warm and convincing, impossible to refuse. Parting her lips, River closed her eyes and allowed herself to pretend one last time.
When Marcus pulled away, River choked back the emotion and fear that threatened to swallow her whole. This was it, the end of nothing and she knew what she had to do. She needed to take this moment from him, and the only way to do that was to make this her choice.
“Do it.” River braved, holding her wrists up to him, using every ounce of strength she possessed not to cry. She was tired of crying. Holding up her chin, she was resolute. “There’s nothing left you can take from me.”
Placing his heavy hands on River’s, Marcus lowered them, almost chuckling. “Don’t be silly. I’m not going to kill you.”
Culverton grabbed a glass of champagne from the tray of a passing waiter and snorted before taking a drink. “The girl still doesn’t know her place in the grand scheme of things, eh, Marcus? I take it back; you are good.” He complimented, before knocking back the entire glass of bubbly.
A thunderous commotion erupted from the opposite end of the crowd, causing River to forget the moment. Rising to her toes, she squinted as she tried to make out whom or what was being lead to the large slab of concrete at the front.
An invisible hand propelled her forward. There was something familiar in the shadowy outline, something warm and impossible to conceive.
Before she knew it, her feet were moving of their own accord, seeking out what she already knew. Hurrying down the rest of the steps, she blindly tried to push through the impenetrable mass, not caring whom or what she may be touching.
Marcus appeared behind River and calmly commanded that they make way, and suddenly a narrow path appeared. A cold hatred pressed in all around her as she ran through the gap and up the adjacent steps, up to where they were chaining him down.
Everything inside her broke as she saw his face, her voice quivering with a flood of emotion as she dropped down by his side, his blue eyes piercing hers as she stroked his face lovingly, franticly.
“Simon” She whispered, her voice breaking tragically. Her hands continued to move over his smooth skin, saying what words could not.
“River.” Simon answered, trembling, wanting to reach up and touch her, to know that she was real. But they were binding his wrists and ankles, stretching his limbs cruelly.
Walking calmly up the steps, Marcus looked down at the scene coolly.
River could feel him behind her, the heat of her betrayer at her back, her Judas. Still clutching to Simon, she turned looked up at him with unsteady eyes, knowing from this moment forward, she’d never be able to see him as anything but a monster.
Marcus nodded at the minions as they stepped away from the platform and moved to the lever that would crank it upright. Returning his frozen gaze to River’s, he clasped his hands together enthusiastically.
“Surprise.” He offered cheerfully, as if this were the best day ever. “I hope you like what I brought you, River. I had wanted to do something truly special for your birthday, you see.”
Then his expression darkened dramatically, his steely eyes returning to their former glory. “Something you’d never forget.”
-----
TBC…
Next CH: Triggered