Zoë began to back away. Marcus simply stood, letting the vampires take hold of him. As one grabbed her, Zoë struggled.

"Marcus!"

"It doesn't matter," he said quietly.

They were led outside into the chilly night. Zoë shivered as a breeze picked up, their captors leading them away on foot. Exactly where they were going Zoë didn't know. She couldn't bring herself to look at Marcus, too upset with him. Had she looked, she would have seen a look of regret on his face as he stared at the concrete.

Three guards held Marcus as they walked, one for each arm, one behind to hold his shoulders. Zoë only had one vampire assigned to her, holding her arms behind her back. Bitterly she glared at the ground, tears spilling down her face.

Eventually they reached the Metra railroad tracks, the line that led to and from Chicago. Across the street was an area under construction. A small billboard let them know the building that loomed in front of them would be a four-story condo.

The vampires led them to the side of the half finished structure. A small courtyard had been completed, the ground having been laid with cobblestone. White concrete benches sat on either side of a very lovely three tiered fountain. On top sat a cherub, smiling and holding a pitcher which would pour water when connected to a water supply. A wooden trellis had been erected at the entrance of the courtyard. Ivy snaked around it intimately, the longer tendrils brushing against their heads as they were shoved beneath it.

Zoë and Marcus were brought about roughly, facing the street, their backs to the courtyard. Unceremoniously the backs of their knees were kicked and the two collapsed.

"You could have asked us to kneel," Marcus spat, glaring.

"Would you have knelt, Sir Marcus?" one of the vampires asked. 'Sir Marcus' had been said mockingly. "We wanted to make sure you and your guest properly greeted our Master."

"You said you would protect me!" Zoë suddenly shouted at Marcus.

Marcus stared at her, startled by her sudden outburst. Then, he narrowed his eyes. "I still plan to stand by that promise."

"How could you let this happen?"

"In case you haven't noticed, we're a bit outnumbered."

"Help!" Zoë screamed at the top of her lungs as she thrashed against her captor. "Help! Someone please help!"

"Help?"

Marcus and Zoë went rigid. A voice floated out from the darkness itself. They both looked around to make sure no one was standing right next to them, the voice sounding like it had whispered directly in their ears. The murmur filled them both with dread, crawled inside their brains and scratched at their skulls. It was everywhere at once, yet the source was nowhere to be seen.

A laugh--a small, terrible laugh--echoed in their ears. Zoë whimpered. Marcus clearly shuddered, his eyes huge.

"Help?" the soft voice spoke again. Zoë wondered if the very night itself were speaking. "How very endearing. You think someone could help you."

The shadows shifted as though it were a curtain being moved to the side. A figure stepped out, standing before them. It was much larger than any human, standing at least eight feet tall.

Black robes, which were barely discernible from the night's darkness, covered a disgustingly gaunt frame. Silver eyes were set in deep, sickly sockets. The skin was thin and pale, looking as though it would rip if this thing yawned or turned its head to the side.

Somehow the face was faintly luminescent. Despite all this the creature was stunningly beautiful, frighteningly so. Framing its lean, elongated face was straight silver hair, spilling over its broad shoulders.

However, all those features were not the most disturbing thing about this humanoid creature. Sprouting from its back was a pair of very large wings. They looked raw, painful, millions of bumps covering the massive objects of flight. For a moment the creature fluttered them, revealing a map of veins scattered over the red flesh.

It was nothing like Z.Z had ever seen. Even her worst nightmares could not have conjured a creature so disturbing. A deep dread enveloped all her senses. It was an utterly helpless dread; she went limp in her captives' arms, deep racking sobs choking out.

Marcus, on the other hand, had begun to thrash violently. His eyes were pure fear as he tried to get free; an attempt not so much to break lose from his captors but to get as far away from this thing as possible.

"Shit!" he screamed loudly. He kicked his legs out, scraping them against the ground, trying to stand, trying to run. The vampires held fast. "Fucking--shit!"

The thing laughed, taking a step forward, too large to enter through the ivy strung trundle. Its eyes squinted into slits which glittered and sparkled.

"Mmmm...You know who I am, don't you, Monsieur Marcus LaBelle? You remember me? I know who you are. You spent many a faithful year at my side. You were one of my best. I have yet to find someone who has even a modicum of the talent and dedication you held."

Loïc frowned deeply at Marcus, the jealousy palettable, but remained silent.

The beast who spoke to Marcus scowled. "And I must say, this sudden display of fear is quite disappointing. I remember so many good things about you, King of the Vampyra. Yet here you are, struggling, your senses rendered silly...Just like the rest."

Finally the thing stooped down, entering the courtyard. An abrupt, absolute chill filled the area as though the temperature had dropped fifteen degrees. Wave after wave of emotion assaulted their wits; fear, rage, insanity. Zoë was now fully collapsed on the ground, her vampire captor not even bothering to hold her.

"No wonder they ousted you," the monster spoke to Marcus. "You've become weak."

"Shut up!" Marcus snarled in defiance, still struggling wildly.

"You know it's true. You were even too stupid to see an easily laid trap. You led me to exactly what I wanted. What I needed."

The thing advanced on Marcus. For a moment he leaned over and outstretched a hand. It was similar to Marcus' hands yet somehow much more menacing.

Marcus kicked at its face. This creature had reflexes Zoë had never seen; it purposely waited until the last second and then moved out of harm's way. It didn't look amused.

"Hold the vermin's legs."

Two more vampires encircled, taking each of his legs. Marcus struggled madly but it made no difference. As the creature reached inside Marcus' pocket which held the necklace, Marcus' face twisted in pure rage.

Marcus literally hissed, large fangs bared. It was terrifying--he was terrifying. For as much as Zoë had been frightened of him in the library when he had lifted Loïc by the neck, it was nothing compared to the side of himself he was showing now. Zoë sobbed, shaking her head.

As the thing backed away triumphantly, smiling evilly, Marcus' face crumpled. His expression changed to pain. He spoke, voice was halting as though his tongue didn't want to form the words. The vampires around him cringed as much as he did, but they still held him tightly.

"Domine...labi...mea...aperies..."

Whatever Marcus was saying was clearly causing him physical pain. One eye had shut as he winced. "Et is...meum...ann-annuntiabit laudem...tuam-"

The creature began laughing manically, a sound devoid of any mirth. He clapped his massive hands, looking thoroughly amused.

"Oh Marcus...do you honestly think some silly words will harm me? You'll sooner kill yourself speaking them than do any sort of damage to me. Here, my darling son, creature of my lovely Nyx, let me finish for you."

The thing raised its hands to the sky above, tilting its head back. "Deus in adiutorium meum intende—O God, come to my assistance—"

As the creature spoke, blood began pouring from its mouth; its tongue was bleeding. Zoë cried out, curling into the fetal position, covering her head with one arm. Ignoring her, the creature finished the Latin prayer.

"Domine ad adiuvandum me festina—O Lord, make haste to help me!"

The creature cackled, wrapping its arms around its lithe body. Marcus himself had begun to weep quietly. The creature gargled loudly as though it was using mouthwash. Finally it spit out the blood. As soon as the black-looking liquid hit pavement, it began to sizzle and smoke.

Chuckling, the pernicious being wiped its mouth on its sleeve. Tucking the box which held the unusual pendant into an unseen pocket, the creature turned, waving a dismiss hand.

"I am done here. Do with them what you like."

Just like that, the creature vanished. There was a gust of wind, bringing with it the normal temperature.

Zoë crawled over to Marcus. She clutched at him, still sobbing. Her mind felt assaulted with horrible emotions still; she felt on the edge of insanity.

"Was that—was that—was that—"

Marcus spoke quietly. "Adramalech. Balaam. Beherit. Damballa. Emma-O. Lilith. Pwcca. Shaitan. Tchort. Tezcatilpoca." He looked directly at Zoë "Yes; that was Lucifer, the Morning Star."

Loïc grinned, licking his lips. "Am I going to have fun with you two."