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CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
MAGGIE
The dungeon is dark and dank, the smell of rot so thick I can hardly breathe. It makes me wonder what was left to die down here. Aside from the skeletal forms of rats, there is nothing but empty cells. We continue down the dark expanse until we reach the bars that separate us from Marcellus.
He barely looks up, slumped against the wall, appearing more haggard than the last time I saw him.
“Come to interrogate me more, brothers?” His voice is hollow, laced with defeat and something close to sorrow. “Magdalena,” he says softly. “I’m happy to see you’re safe.”
“Don’t speak to her,” Law growls through his clenched teeth. “Don’t even look at her.”
Stop antagonizing him. Are you trying to get outed?
Marcellus sighs, turning his gaze to Law. “I’ve never known you to care for anything but yourself, Lawrence. This is an unexpected change.”
His grin gives away that it’s not so unexpected, despite his words. He knows I’m at the center of Law’s actions, and in this moment, I truly fear he’ll do what Law expects.
Law takes a menacing step toward the cell, and I step in front of him, done with the pissing match.
“Stop it, Law. Hear him out.”
“While I appreciate your benevolent attitude toward my brother, I think you’ll find he isn’t who you think,” Julian explains. “The things he’s done should be an automatic death sentence, but his relationship to us”—Julian motions between himself and Law—“have bought him time.” Julian turns his attention to Marcellus, who remains quiet. “Start talking,brother.”
There’s nothing familial about the word. It’s hurled as an insult. One that tells of betrayal that runs so deep, there’s no coming back from it.
“He saved me. Twice,” I snap. “And it was because of him that I was able to find the exit at the auction, which led to the human girls’ safety as well. Isn’t that enough reason to cut him some slack?” I ask both vampires at my side. “Is that not enough reason to hear him out? Surely, he has a reasonable explanation for what he did.”
A heavy sigh comes from the dim cell. “Don’t look for ways to justify the things that I’ve done, Magdalena. You’ll only be disappointed to find none.”
I don’t miss the unspoken words:You promised to not give my secrets away.
Marcellus clears his throat, and three sets of eyes turn to him. “I’m not a good guy, and the sooner you realize it, the safer you’ll be.”
“I don’t believe that.” My arms cross over my chest, mostly to stave off the damp air of the dungeon that’s triggering goose bumps to spread over my skin. I’ll keep his damn secrets, but I won’t lie about my feelings toward him.
“You should. I brought those vampires to Law’s party, and because of that, his human friends are turned. That’s on me.” He stands on shaky legs and staggers to the cell bars. “I killed Marina’s friend. Snapped her neck without a thought.”
I grimace at the mention of how he killed Stacey. It’s not new, but hearing it again doesn’t shock me any less.
“But why?” I push, needing him to attempt to redeem himself. To show his brothers that he isn’t a lost cause.
Tell them. My eyes practically beg.
He’s here in the dungeon, protected by Julian. Surely, he can come clean now.
What are you hiding, sunshine?
I don’t even look at Law, annoyed that of all times, he has to be so connected to me.
“Does there need to be a reason?” Marc asks.
My arms drop away from my body, and I fist the cell bars, getting as close to him as the barrier will allow. “There’s always a reason. I want to hear yours.”
He sighs. “You won’t let it be, will you?”
“Not a chance.”
He takes several steps back, falling to his butt on the ground. “I was ordered to by Count Byron before we even got to the party.” I turn my head to look at Law and Julian, but neither of them looks my way. Their focus is on their brother.
