I kept my blade ready. "Why should I believe you?"
"Because I have no reason to lie. I don't care about Selene's little kingdom or her power games. I'm just passing through."
"Passing through and leaving vampire corpses for humans to find?"
"That was unfortunate. Young vampires are... impulsive. I was trying to teach them control when your group attacked."
The rogue vampire on the ground coughed blood. "Master... they killed everyone..."
"I know." Marcus's expression hardened. "Which is why we're having this conversation instead of me simply killing you all."
"You could try."
"I could succeed." He moved, and suddenly he was right in front of me.
I hadn't even seen him cross the distance.
His hand was on my throat before I could react.
"You're fast," he observed. "Strong. Not vampire, not human, not quite sure what." He tilted his head. "What did my progeny call you? Angel?"
I grabbed his wrist, channeling divine energy.
