Chapter 3
Your existence... it's a cancer," the stranger hissed, his smile twisting into something demonic. "One life to end a lineage. One death to save a Clan. You die tonight, Marine."
Marine's breath hitched. She stumbled back, her spine hitting the cold, unyielding wood of the wall. Terror paralyzed her. With a predatory lunge, the man's hand clamped around her throat, slamming her against the wall and hoisting her into the air.
"You deserve the dirt," he growled, eyes burning with ancient hatred.
Marine kicked desperately, her lungs burning for oxygen. Suddenly—Thud. Thud. Heavy, rhythmic blows echoed from the bathroom door to her left. The wood splintered. A raw, bloodied fist punched through the solid frame, leaving a jagged hole.
A flash of silver hissed through the air. A gaming card, spinning with the velocity of a circular saw, shot from the hole and embedded itself deep into the stranger's wrist.
The sound was sickening—the wet thud of card stock meeting bone.
The man shrieked, his grip breaking. He clutched his shattered wrist, staring in horror at the card. But it wasn't the pain that broke him—it was the crest etched on it.
"No... it... it can't be..." he stammered, his voice trembling with primal fear. "You're Him..."
He never finished the sentence. A second card whistled through the dark, a silent streak of death. It buried itself in his jugular. The man collapsed instantly, his life spilling onto the floor in a silent, crimson pool.
Marine fell to her knees, gasping for air. "He's dead... I'm innocent..." she whimpered, her eyes fixed on the corpse.
"Stay still," Ranzo's cold voice cut through the panic from behind the bathroom door. "Do not touch the body."
"Ranzo! Please!" Marine sobbed, clawing at the door. "Come out! I'm going to die of fear! Please!"
"Calm down," came the irritated reply. "I'm getting dressed. I'll be out in a second."
When the door finally opened, Marine threw herself at him, sobbing into his chest. "I thought I was dead! I don't know how he—"
Ranzo pulled her off with a firm, cold hand. "Be quiet. Stand still."
He walked to the corpse with the indifference of a ghost. He knelt, reaching into the wet mess of the man's throat and wrist to retrieve his cards.
So, it was you, Ranzo thought, eyes narrowing. You recognized the 'Heraldry of the Ace'. Those who know the mark don't get a second chance.
Marine noticed his hand then. It was shredded—the knuckles raw. The blood on the wood wasn't the killer's. It was Ranzo's.
"Your hand... you did this for me?"
Ranzo jerked away. "I need to dispose of this. Stay here."
"No! Don't leave me!" She gripped his shirt.
Ranzo's gaze softened for a fraction of a second. He placed his blood-stained hand on her cheek, his thumb grazing her skin with a dark tenderness. "I have to. It's freezing outside. I can't take you. Stay."
Marine froze. The warmth of his blood on her face felt like a brand. "I understand. I won't forget this, Ranzo."
"I'm just keeping a promise," he replied coldly, withdrawing his hand. "Ten minutes. Don't move."
He hoisted the body and vanished into the night. Marine locked the door, retreating to the mirror. There, on her cheek, were the dark imprints of Ranzo's fingers.
She touched them with a disturbing devotion. "I want this to stay forever... but..."
She washed her face carefully, but her eyes fell on the blood still on her fingers. An idea, dark and poetic, struck her. She pressed her finger against her lips, rubbing the thick crimson liquid across her mouth until they were a haunting shade of scarlet.
She smiled at the reflection. "The most expensive lipstick in the world."
A knock. "It's me. Open up."
Ranzo walked in and immediately began scrubbing the blood off the floor. "Ranzo... where is he?"
"At the bottom of the ravine. Now shut up. Why are your lips so red?"
Marine looked down, blushing. "It's... lipstick."
Ranzo let out a sharp, mocking chuckle. "Really? You were dying of fear ten minutes ago, and now you have time for makeup?"
"It's not ordinary," she murmured. "It's precious."
"Whatever. We leave at dawn. I don't want any more surprises."
"Let me bandage your hand," Marine said, taking his hand firmly. "Listen to me, just once."
Ranzo fell silent, watching her dress his wounds. "You'll heal faster now," she whispered, looking into his eyes.
Ranzo pulled back, his eyes flashing with irritation. "Where's the food I ordered? Stay here. I'm going to find the delivery." He stormed out.
Marine watched the door, her heart aching. Why can't you say it? Just once. What is in your heart, Ranzo? And who was that man? A whole Clan... destroyed because of me?