Divided mind

Marcus pressed his head with both hands for a few seconds until the flow of Baltazar's memories invading his mind ceased. When the pain finally subsided, he looked at Ottis with an almost murderous fury. Before he even realized it, his hands were tightening around Ottis's neck.

Ottis struggled violently, trying to free himself. Seeing his state, Marcus's two subordinates ran to prevent the worst from happening. As much as they feared Marcus, the idea of failing a mission given by Isabella frightened them even more.

They threw themselves at Marcus, trying to pull his arms away from Ottis. However, even with their combined strength, Marcus did not budge.

"Damn it, sir... sir Baltazar, please, you're going to kill him!" was all one of the vampire subordinates managed to say before Marcus released one of his hands from Ottis King's neck and, with a single movement, sent the vampire flying into the luxurious sofa.

The piece of furniture shattered upon impact with the vampire's body, who bled as he was pierced by some wooden shards. Finally, Marcus let go of Ottis, who collapsed onto the office floor, gasping for breath.

Marcus snorted at the scene before growling at Ottis, who looked at him in terror. "I suggest you never dare mention my wife and daughter with that filthy mouth in my presence again. Because next time, I promise I will rip out your tongue."

He then turned to the other vampire subordinate, who was still holding his arm and trembling with fear. The man immediately let go and dropped to his knees in submission. Marcus merely growled before leaving the room.

A sigh of relief escaped from Ottis and the other subordinate. The latter quickly helped his injured companion up, dragging him as they hurried to follow Marcus.

Upon exiting the old town hall building, Marcus saw the luxurious carriage pulled by black horses waiting for him. The coachman attempted to speak to him but was immediately interrupted by an irritated Marcus:

"Go to Street Three in Grem Valley. Now."

The harsh tone made the coachman tremble. He jumped onto the driver's seat upon hearing the carriage door slam violently behind Marcus.

He waited only a few seconds for the two vampire subordinates, who were rushing behind Marcus, to climb into their seats beside him before violently whipping the horses to make them run. It was nearly ten at night on a Monday. The streets of Yorfen were empty, which relieved the coachman, who feared further angering his master with any delay.

Grem Valley was a wealthy neighborhood in the city center, not far from the town hall. Within ten minutes, the carriage arrived at its destination. Marcus opened the door with the same violence as before and stepped out swiftly, casting an irritated glance at the vampires, who trembled upon seeing his expression.

"Stay here until I return."

The three of them nodded rapidly as Marcus disappeared into the shadows of the houses ahead.

He walked for a few moments before stopping in an alley in front of a luxurious three-story house. He stood there, hidden in the shadows, for hours. The few people passing by occasionally seemed oblivious to his presence. He only moved when the clock hands marked one in the morning. Then, he approached the house's gate and, with a single leg movement, easily leaped over it.

Standing before the house's door, Marcus bit the tip of his finger, opening a small wound from which blood dripped. He pressed his finger to the lock, and, as if by magic, the blood seeped in and solidified within the mechanism. With a simple wrist movement, he turned the handle and entered, calmly closing the door behind him.

He navigated through the house as if he knew every room. He only stopped when he reached the third floor, standing before a door. He opened it carefully, trying to make as little noise as possible.

Inside the room, he found a rather childish setting. The walls were pink, decorated with dolls and stuffed bears. The furniture was simple yet luxurious, and a large bed stood in one corner of the room. Marcus cautiously approached.

He stopped beside the bed and observed the girl sleeping soundly, clutching a large stuffed bear under the covers. A smile involuntarily formed on his lips.

"Honestly, you're already fifteen years old... When will you grow up, Kassy?" he said in a voice so loving it surprised him.

Marcus was confused. He had never felt so lost. He loved this girl with a love so strong that he had never experienced before. He wanted to hold her, see her smile, hear her voice calling him "father."

But she was not his daughter. She was not Baltazar's daughter.

He was not supposed to feel this way. It was dangerous.

He, Marcus, did not want to feel. But Baltazar...?

Who was he at that moment? Marcus or Baltazar?

Was he still the same person he had been before?

Damn it. He just wanted to scream.

He took one last look at the girl sleeping peacefully and disappeared into the darkness of the room, leaving swiftly and silently.

The girl, now alone, shivered as a cold wave invaded her room. She nestled deeper into the covers, unaware of Marcus's presence, who had left her room only minutes before.

And completely unaware of the presence of the giant man, his face full of scars, who emerged from the mist forming in her room, smiling.

"Interesting..." was all the man said before vanishing into the fog just as mysteriously as he had appeared.