“Again.” Marc nictitated. “What follows after a thousand?”

In the darkness, groans and growls filled the dark and deadly night. Marc’s sinister tone engulfed his ears. He already lost count of the time he spent underground. It felt like he’s been with his torturer for years. Taunting voices and familiar, but painful moans and screams in the darkness loudly echoed.

“Nine hu- hundred…” He coughed, blood splattering on his bloodied skin. “…and ni- nine- ty… th-three.”

He felt lifeless. His heart was very much alive and beating. It pounded and forced blood to flow throughout his bloodstreams. His insides were burning.

“N-nine hund-d-dred and eighty-ssix.” He hissed through his teeth, tasting iron on his tongue. Every cell in his body throbbed and called for help. He could take physical assault from Marc, but Gilles was uncertain if his mind would come out unscathed. Despite the excruciating torture that he’s going through and the hopelessness of his situation, he still thought of leaving alive.

His nails were peeled off every single fingers and toes that he had. He ceased counting how many lacerations Marc gave him after five hundred. He’s exhausted and all he wanted to do was forget, come back home, and sleep.

He failed. He wanted to come to Hemlock with the intention of protecting his family. He wanted to solve everything peacefully and to not involve his family. He was greatly mistaken. The man who ruled Hemlock despised- no- loathed Gilles’ people.

“When will you learn, Gilles? If you just told me where you are hiding those abominations and freaks, then I can uplift your pain. Aren’t you tired after hours of doing nothing, but screaming? Frankly, I’m getting tired of you. You’re not that amusing anymore, all you do is scream and moan. And… do you know what I do to those who fails to amuse me?” Marc’s breath caressed his face. His chest thudded painfully. His mind might not succumb to his torturer’s threats. However, his body recognized pain as something that was associated with Marc’s presence. Now, every time Marc came close to his skin, his reflex was triggered and inevitably, flinched.

“I help them by killing them.” Cold sensations dripped, sliding down his back as he felt his torturer’s warm breath on his ears. He shivered. His insides were hot while his skin is frozen.

“On-” Gilles grunted. His raspy breathing fell from his mouth. Marc’s eyebrows arched. “D-die!”

“What?”

“You can g-go die by yourself!” Gilles inwardly smirked, as he could even properly move his lips as he gasped.

Loud and deep laughter erupted from Marc. He pushed his knees to stand, his senses full of mirth at his prey. “I knew you still have life in you. You’re a tough man to break… but I’m tougher than you.”

“I’ll ne…never tell you o-our location.” Gilles said. Moving caused painful jolts around his body. It was excruciatingly long. “They won’t look for me. They understand that if I didn’t go back in my promised time, they will hide and never show themselves to the world again.”

Marc simply watched as the bloodied man slumped on the metal chair. The beginnings of a smirk formed on his face, contorting his scarred face. It gave him great pleasure to see someone suffer. It was truly an exhilarating activity; causing pain to others. He didn’t understand how men kept on hiding their real nature.

Humans were savages underneath the skin they wore. Their natural instincts told them to be selfish. What was wrong in craving flesh and blood? What was wrong in killing someone?

He desired to meet the clan which his employer hunts. He called them savages, murderers, and abominations. Maybe that was why Marc was inclined to know their location. He lusted after meeting someone that would understand his craving for blood.

“Tsk. Tsk. Tsk.” He waved his finger. Marc thought that humans were the most cunning creatures in the world that they live in, that was why he would never trust a fellow human. “You underestimated humans, my friend. They are foolish and much less complicated than you think.”

“We aren’t mere humans!” Gilles couldn’t let this man insult his people in front of him. He exclaimed despite the sting from the back of his throat. How dare he compare his family to mere foolish humans?! He found himself in this dilemma because of a human.

“Yes.” Marc chuckles. That was why he wanted to locate them. “Not mere humans, but humans, still.”

Gilles ignored his torturer’s words and spoke. “Tell yo-your master that he’ll ne…ver achieve his heinous plans.”

“I think that you’re being mistaken.” Marc’s smile disappeared as the atmosphere around him twisted in to a darker one. “He, that man, he thinks- knows that he is superior to all of us. His head is already high up the clouds. Foolish, I know.”

Gilles silently listened to Marc’s amused and bothered tone. One thing that he learned from his torturer, was that he was an independent man. He never seemed to rely on anyone and based on his words, he was with his master high above the same clouds. He was disgusted with both. They were silently living their lives when these people decided to hunt them down. And lastly, his torturer was a blood thirsty animal.

“Nevertheless, he won’t reach the place that he’s in right now if he’s not competent. He will always get what he wants.” Marc sneered. ‘Especially if he has Verdun by his side.’

“H-he won-n’t.” Gilles rasped. His eyelids grew heavy. His pulse slowed down from forcing his throat to speak with his torturer.

“Are you truly sure that they won’t search for you?” Seeing Gilles doze, Marc grinned at his half-lidded eyes. An urge sprouted from his lower half as he watched the man’s guards unravel. “You’re their leader. Don’t you think that you shouldn’t belittle their loyalty to you?”

“No…” Gilles loosely shook his head. He’s lightheaded. His body was giving up on him, but he couldn’t allow that. Never. However, he couldn’t ignore Marc’s words. Yes, the thought already entered his mind.

Inwardly, he thought that there was a high possibility of them following him. He wouldn’t put it past his right-hand, but he can only hope that his brother can stop his friend, if ever a foolish and reckless thought entered his mind.

Slowly, his sight was starting to get darker around the corners. It was disconcerting. So dark, and cold, and… empty. Is hopelessness? His body felt ice cold with dread and no matter what he thinks, his mind came back to that dreadful thought about fading away. His heart thudded in his chest and his breathing was turning into short gasps and all he could do was stare on one space.

“Lepidus matrem luna Exaudi preces in nocte.” Gilles whispered under his breath, his mouth barely moving.

“What are you murmuring about?” Witnessing Gilles silently murmuring, deliriously, without moving was truly exquisite. Marc inhaled deeply; the wonderful ferrous scent of fresh and dried blood filled his nose.

“Commodare puero tuo, et salvum facere quod caput egit honestum.” Gilles’ voice was slowly rising as his head lulled to the sight. He forced his eyelids to open, glancing at the light seeping underneath the door. For once, Gilles coveted the object that he took for granted. He itched to see the beauty of a full moon.

A sinister and demented smirk formed on Marc’s face as he stepped closely to his prey. He anticipated the man’s reaction, dragging his finger on the blade of his machete. His desires would be fulfilled, and he was grateful at Gilles. Grinning, he stabbed the machete half way his prey’s shoulder. He could feel the blade hitting Gilles’ bones.

Marc thought that once Gilles felt the blood gushing out of his flesh, he would produce enticing screams. However, he exceeded Marc’s expectations.

“Angelis, bonorum et malorum, det potentiam tuam, sie shifters.” Gilles didn’t stop even once from chanting the words that he cherished with his family, and in his heart and soul. He forgot the explosion of pain on his shoulder and the presence of his torturer. Neither Marc’s disgusting expression directed at him, nor the hand that wantonly caressed his wounds snatched his attention.

Gilles believed that this was not the end. No matter how many physically or mentally scarring things Marc might inflict on him, he would always believe that angels existed. His family would always be a proof of their existence.

This night might be the worst night that he experienced, but he would never allow his torturer the pleasure of his submission. Gilles wouldn’t allow his actions to insult his family by submitting to a mere human.

Under the night sky, in which a full moon glows, the antagonizing screams ceased, but another broken man was created. Gilles silently laid still, suppressing his cries and screams, as the real monster hovered over his still body.

Marc only smirks as he moved above the body of his stubborn prey. He would enjoy breaking his mind later. For now, he would have to break his body first. In the darkness, the scarred man kept on grunting again and again until his own body was soaked in his prey’s bloody body fluids.

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“It has been months, boy.” Lampert muttered, watching Leos climb through the single window of his study. The older man observed the lad with his narrowed eyes. He gave an expression of displeasure to the young man that barged in his study. However, he could not say that it is an unwanted disturbance.

“Where were you? Are you trying to neglect your duties? The Sire’s patience only stretches for long. You do know that he also has his limits, even if it’s for you.” Lampert chided as Leos lowly grunted before comfortably sitting on a settee.

He ran his fingers through his cropped red hair. Crossing his arms, he forced a hard smile on his face to glance at the old man. Leos started feeling sensations that were absent inside him when he was outside, once he glanced at the imposing presence of the man standing in front. There was a tightness in his chest from hearing his words, along with the tightness of his jaw.

“Your f-” Leos waved his hand in dismissal, giving the older man an accusing glare.

“I do not plan to be idle or careless. Lampert, you know me better than that.” Leos said. “I need you to tell me about their plans. I do not particularly like being kept in the dark. Anyways, postpone your lectures for a second, for I have a headache from all this travelling.”

“I digress.” Lampert said.

“Don’t worry yourself. I was merely wondering here and there, with some beautiful companies.” Leos lied, chuckling, disguising his current thoughts. Well, maybe not about the beautiful company… there was certainly one with him, a couple of hours ago. However, it would be his displeasure if the man realized his motives. Yes, Lampert might be working on his side, but he’s still with the other side.

“Don’t lie.” At once, Lampert accused Leos, causing him to blink. “I asked the missus in the brothel that you frequent, and they told me that they haven’t seen your face for a long time.”

Leos could not stop the deep laugh that came out of his throat. One, to disguise his surprise. He wouldn’t put it past the older man to personally search for his whereabouts. The only question was why he had to. Second, it greatly amused him to think that he could easily lie his way through this man.

After constructing a reply, he cleared his throat and glanced at the man’s dark hazel eyes. He lied with a straight face. “Of course not, I’m already bored of that place. It was always the same clingy and nagging woman every night. I found a new place where a gorgeous enchantress lives.”

The words smoothly flowed out of his lips. He didn’t even know where his last statement came from. His shoulders shrugged at the suspicious expression pointed at him. Lampert’s eyebrows met as it furrowed, his mouth disappeared as it flattened into a thin line.

Lampert didn’t believe a word that came out of the lad’s mouth ever since he saw him outside of his abode. Since he met the boy, he learned how great the lad was at hiding his emotions. It was hardly a hurdle to lie through a blank face. Lampert might think that the boy does not meant harm, but nevertheless, he would still do it; subconsciously or purposely. His curiosity and attention noticed the unusualness of his last words. It was completely random and unlike his composed words.

“And…” Lampert further inquired. “How does that lady look like.”

“I knew it.” Lampert thought, seeing the boy avoiding his searching eyes. “Now, I’m truly curious.”

“Dull emerald green eyes, normal light brown hair, impressively tall in stature, and definitely stubborn…” Leos absently listed off, refusing to meet the old man’s eyes.

He cursed inwardly. “What were you thinking, Leos?”

“How is that an enchantress? If you’re planning to lie, at least do it with effort.” Lampert noted the absence of his mind in the room. His thoughts are not even with him. The boy was up to something. There was something distracting his usual sharp and focused mind.

Leos sheepishly groaned. “Do not mind me, I was merely thinking.”

“Speak, boy. Let us stop dawdling and get ahead and straight to the point. Why have you come and blessed me with your presence?”

“Are there any movements from him?” In an instant, the amusement left Leos’ face. Lampert shook his head at the boy’s question. Finally, they were getting somewhere, he thought as he sat on his chair behind the mahogany table.

“They are too frantic right now. And that freakish bastard, as you word it, is too secretive for his own good. It is one of the reasons why his lord kept him for this long. He’s almost as cunning as your-”

“Lampert.” Leos said with a hidden warning. Lampert cleared his throat before observing the boy’s stiff expression. It was unfortunate that the lad carried such wrath and hatred for someone that he should love... or was it fortunate.

“What I mean to tell you is, assuming you’re aware of the latest events inside Hemlock, I was about to send a search party for you. Fortunately, you approached me in your own volition. I was about ready to drag you from wherever cave you are hiding from.”

“Just get on with it.” Leos cracked his knuckles.

“I will be shutting the borders down tomorrow.” Lampert leaned on the table and clasped his fingers together. “Any outsiders will not be allowed to enter Hemlock until further notice. Any outsiders who are also inside applies the same conditions.”

“Why?” Leos clicked his tongue, remembering Konrad. Now, he couldn’t easily leave the town. He knew that things may have been bad, but not this worse. What happened under his nose and why is he not aware? “You’re the one supervising it?”