Marriage is Murder

James frowned at Jack and laughed incredulously.

"Oh, lord, you've lost your mind," he laughed. "What in the hell are you going on about? What chemicals and potions? You're a joke. Never did know what you wee talking about, did you?"

He lowered his voice angrily at Jack. "Now, you get your history straight, you little git. I asked Fenrir Grayback to turn me, and he did. I was smart enough to know it was far better than being human.

"You don't even make a good human. Look at how many other humans you thought you needed to bring to take me. Jackie boy, if you want a war, I certainly can bring it," James laughed.

Marcus managed to get to his feet. Khaat gave a bit of a startled gasp, but before she could think or cry out, he got her to her feet. He turned her around to be able to see him instead of James. When she finally saw him and it really registered in her head that he was alright enough to be upright, she wrapped herself tight around him, attaching herself. He preferred she attach herself. It helped him to know where she was and to be able to apparate or port with her at a moment's notice.

He tapped Steven very lightly to show him the portkey in his hand. As much as he wanted to help them with James, his first duty was to get her out of there.

James had no scruples about hurting Jack or Jack's feelings. He just didn't care. He looked at Jack and shrugged carelessly.

"Because our mother paid me to do it," he said, without any emotion. "You'll have to ask her why she didn't give a damn. Oh, wait. That's right. She's dead. Sorry. I've got nothing. Maybe she just liked me best."

Marcus wrapped himself tightly around Khaat and apparated out. He had to get her home before Jack could stall no more.

"You know what? Maybe its not enough to take the Lupin cubs. Maybe I need your cubs too," he laughed bitterly.

"I'm not concerned about her, Jackie," James laughed. "And I certainly don't need her. I'll get rid of you and her too, and take the cubs. If I feel like it. It just all depends on the mood I'm in. And right now, I'm bored. We've had our little Cain and Abel banter, but you're no fun now.

"I've got places to go, and werewolves to create," James said. "I'm a very busy sovereign." He pinched Jack's cheek much as if Jack were just a toddler. "It was fun, Jackie. Thanks for the laugh. I needed some comedy today."

He flicked his wand and apparated out.

Marcus and Khaat arrived back home, and he found she wasn't ready to move. She was going to simply stay stuck to him for a moment.

"Hey," he said to her softly. "We're home. He's gone. Come here." He unfastened her cloak and pushed it off her shoulders and simply walked her over to the daybed and sat down with her on the daybed.

Michael walked into the room and saw Marcus was dirty and bruised and bleeding. And Khaat was badly shaken. He didn't say anything. Whatever had happened, something had gone wrong rather badly.

"Report," Michael said quietly to Marcus.

"Not now," Marcus said. "Let's make an exception and allow the lady a shot of firewhiskey please."

Michael hadn't seen Khaat ever openly that afraid of anything. Not ever. Flat out, she was a mess. She was shaking, violently, and Marcus had her wrapped tight in his chest.

She didn't know which she had been more afraid of--James's desire to hurt her--or thinking he had killed Marcus. She was beginning to realize Marcus was as much a part of her family as anyone else, and as much as she had perhaps tried to ditch her bodyguards from time to time, she was terrified of being without them now. Or of James hurting any of them.

"Did you think I was going to leave you to him?" Marcus asked her softly. Then he felt her silent tears on his neck. "Well, that was a silly thought," he said gently. "That's just not going to ever happen."

Michael doubted that Marcus was alright. He was hoping Khaat was okay, but Marcus didn't even remotely look alright. He went upstairs and found Robert and Brian and Escobar all in the spare room Robert was using.

"You all might want to come downstairs if you're up to it," Michael said. "Khaat was attacked, and Belby's been hurt. She's really shaken up."

That got the attention immediately of all three men. They got up and decided to follow Michael downstairs. If he knew Robert, Michael figured Robert would get the facts and then meet with the full staff.

"I presume you want me to gather the others?" Michael asked. Robert nodded seriously. Robert presumed the others would already know that he'd give them time to unwind and tend any wounds or needs. Once that was done, it would be standard to meet with them.

"Thank you," Marcus said to them. He was grateful for Jess's pain relief. It would hold for now. He set his glass aside, feeling he needed to tend her first. "Here," he said to her. "Drink." He fed her sips of the firewhiskey. Unprepared, she coughed on the first sip. "Gently, he said. "Its not soda."

Finally she spoke to him very softly. "You should have left me to him."

"That's not the job," Marcus replied in a matter of fact tone. "No offense, but you could have gone too."

"No," she said. "I couldn't." She had been unable to leave James to finish him off.

"Report," Brian said. "It was James. I get it. What did he do?"

"Ambushed us. Got the best of me for a moment. I apologize," Marcus said. "It scared her."

"He nearly killed you," Khaat said. "Threw him down the stairway in the alley."

"Jess, check him out when we're done here. We cannot afford to have anyone out of action," Brian said. "Khaat, did he hurt you?"

"No," she said. She wasn't interested in having anyone checking her. She didn't think she was physically hurt, but she didn't honestly think she'd have admitted to it if she had been. "I don't know how he always knows where I am."

"He doesn't," Brian said. "Or I don't think so. I think he merely knows the most likely places for you to show up and he has those watched. You're going to have to avoid those places for now or take more than just Marcus with you."