by LJ Vickery
Back at the cabin and crazed out of his mind, Marduk paced the room that he was unable to leave…and he’d certainly tried. Burn marks scored his flesh after multiple attempts to escape had proved futile. He pounded his fists into the walls, blood running freely from his wound and down his back. Feeling helpless was not his strong point. He dropped to the floor, head cradled in his shaking hands.
His ears perked up. What was that vibration? A motorcycle?
Tess’s voice came back.
Marduk! I’ve just heard from Anshar. Enlil and Hux are within five miles of the cabin. They’ll be there soon.
I’ll come for you Tess. Marduk’s voice was agonized. Don’t doubt me…I’ll find you.
I know you will, Marduk. I trust you. She was gone again.
Tess trusted him. It made him want to weep. She had such faith in him when she’d only known him such a short time and, up to this point, he’d failed to protect her. Marduk was humbled by her surety. He vowed that after he rescued her and destroyed Gage, he’d show her just how much she could trust him…in every way.
In the truck, Tess brought her head up slowly as if just waking.
“Well, look who’s joining the party!” Tess was glad Gage couldn’t offer her too much attention. The road conditions and visibility were not the greatest. He seemed to be close to I-95 and biding his time.
“I’m not in a position to take care of you right now, but would you like to know what I have planned?” Tess hated that smarmy cast to his mouth and eyes and longed to rake his hateful face with her nails.
“What? No answer for me?” He stole a glance over at her, and she didn’t bother to disguise the raw enmity in her eyes. “I don’t think I like your new attitude,” he snarled. Without warning, he backhanded her hard. Tess tasted blood in her mouth, but instead of cowering as she would have in the past, she stared at him, hard.
“Does that make you feel strong?” she hissed. “You like thinking you’re so much more powerful than me? Well, enjoy it while you can.” She smiled evilly, blood staining her teeth. Let Gage wonder at the change in her. She hoped it put him on edge.
“That new boyfriend of yours got you thinking that you’re better than you are? Huh? Well, think again, sweetheart. You’re just my whore, and all he got were my seconds. After I’m through with you tonight, there won’t even be any of those left.”
Tess turned her gaze straight forward, sitting as erect as she could possibly get.
“You’re a piece of shit, Gage, and you don’t know anything.” She looked at him slyly out of the corner of her eye. “You just keep it up and let’s see who’s alive at the end of the night, shall we?” She was spooking him; she could see it, speaking so conversationally, almost daring him to hit her again.
“So where are we headed for the fun you’ve promised?” Yup, calm and cool. If her ankles hadn’t been bound, she would have crossed her legs and dangled her shoe off one foot.
Gage turned onto the main highway. Tess could see him trying to regain lost ground, with the road and with his captive.
“You should be fucking begging me to let you go.” He’d always hated her lack of reaction the most. “I’m taking you up to Gulf Hagas to the chasm,” he sneered. “And once we’re there, nobody will hear you scream. I’ll do all the things to your body that I’ve been missing, and then a few more for good measure.” She could feel him willing her to meet his eyes. “You remember our last time, don’t you?” Tess couldn’t suppress a shiver.
“I see you do. Good, because instead of throwing you on the lawn for your family to see, I’ll throw you into the gorge, and nobody will ever know what happened. Maybe they’ll blame your new boyfriend for your disappearance. I’m sure a few words in the right ears would have the authorities interested. If he’s not dead before you,” Gage taunted.
Tess let him go on, knowing she was running out of time to communicate with Marduk.
Marduk, she called desperately. Marduk! Damn! They’d already gone too far. She refused to let panic show on her face. She concentrated harder.
Enlil? Hux? She was forcing back tears, figuring she was all alone, when it suddenly felt like the world had invaded her brain. Every one of her gods popped into her head.
Keep talking! We’re coming! She heard words of encouragement and assurance. Huxley is releasing Marduk as we fly, and the two of them will follow with Enlil on their bikes. Tess thought that must be Lahar’s voice.
We’re right above you now. Tess looked up toward the dark sky through the rain drenched windshield and saw nothing, but Marduk wasn’t around to give her vision.
We’ll stay with the truck until physical help arrives and, at the speed they’re going, it won’t be long before you can communicate with them, too. Don’t worry, Tess. We’ve got this. Anshar’s voice sounded like music to her ears.
I’m worried for them on their bikes in this horrible rain. Tess was about to insist that Anshar order the three to take it easy.
Was that a chuckle? Anshar again. It’s only raining where you are. Tess could picture his smile.
You think I’d let anything happen to my bikes? Another amused voice, this time Ishkur. Tess was diverted and snorted at the response despite her critical circumstances.
Gage looked toward Tess incredulously. “Are you shitting me? You find something funny?” He reached over and punched her in the ribcage, knocking the breath from her lungs. “Lie down now,” he ordered, pulling her head toward his lap. “We’re coming into a town, and I don’t want anybody getting a look at you.”
Tess gasped back tears and, before her head hit his crotch, she recognized that they were off the interstate. Favoring her ribs, she relished the thought of what was ahead for Gage.
I just saw that bastard punch you! Enten was enraged. If Marduk hadn’t called dibs on this guy, rest assured, I would be killing him gladly.
Tess heard a round of agreement from the other immortals and felt her spirits rally.
The front of Gage’s jeans was hardening under her injured cheek. He put his hand down as if to lower his zipper.
“If you so much as let that filthy thing out, I’ll bite you so hard you’ll be peeing out of a dozen holes.”
Gage pushed her head roughly off him, placing his hand back on the wheel.
“We’ll see if you’re so brave later when I reacquaint you with my knife.” He grabbed the side of her breast where he’d left his marks and squeezed the tender flesh painfully. “Or have you forgotten how much fun that can be.”
“Keep talking, Gage.” Tess gritted her teeth. “You’re just asking for additional scoops on your nightmare sundae.”
Every god above hurled outraged threats as they watched Tess’s abuse at Gage’s hands. She felt their anger. Marduk couldn’t come soon enough!
Marduk, Hux, and Enlil rode three abreast through the dark, two visible and one not. They had been in constant contact with the band hovering above the truck since coming within a ten-mile proximity, but when the unstoppable comic prattle of Anshar ceased, Marduk’s fears grew. He knew things with Tess couldn’t be good.
What’s he doing to her, Anshar? Silence met his plea. You know I’ll only imagine the worst if you don’t tell me!
He’s beating her, Anshar admitted, sounding grim. She has a split lip, probably some busted ribs, and a few bruises in places you won’t like.
Enlil accelerated exponentially. “If I get to him first, I’m not leaving anything for you.” Marduk and Huxley followed suit. The thunder god wished they could take wing, but right now he was grounded. He needed a bike under him when they got near Tess, or he’d be a big splat on the highway. They pushed their rides past 100 mph.
Gage had started up the mountain road when Tess finally heard Marduk’s voice in her head.
We’re closing in, my little mouse, he stated, voice full of concern. I estimate eight minutes before we overtake you. Can you brace yourself in any way? I’m afraid your stop might be a little abrupt.
Tess knew he was downplaying the severity of the “stop” he had planned and attempted to get up.
“What do you think you’re doing,” Gage barked, eyes glued to the storm-wracked mountain road.
“Sitting up, if you don’t mind,” Tess muttered. “The bumpy road is a little tough on the rib that you broke.” She reached for the seatbelt with her bound hands.
“It’s a little too late for safety,” he derided, as she clicked it in place.
“You think?” she replied snarkily, keeping her eyes glued to the images flashing past in the side mirror. At the next big break in the trees, she saw two single headlights come up behind the truck. As she watched, they turned into three. She relished her next words.
“Look behind you, Gage.”
Her tormentor glanced in his rear-view mirror and saw the three headlights approaching fast.
“Fuck! How the hell can they be going so fast in this rain?” And just as he said it, the precipitation stopped. Not in that half-assed, piss-for-a-while way that rain usually has. No. It just stopped.
Who’s the best with vegetation? Tess heard Marduk ask. There was a chorus of voices as several gods called dominion.
Stop bickering! Marduk was not about to waste time stroking egos. Dumuzi, throw down a thicket of vines in the road up ahead. Make them dense enough to stop and trap the truck.
Your wish is my very agreeable command. A half mile up, just as the road turned to dirt, Dumuzi set up a complex net of vegetation that the truck could not possibly escape or avoid.
Gage turned a corner, concentrating on the bikes that were pulling in behind, then yelped as he looked forward at the living wall that rose up before him. He slammed on the brakes, fishtailing the truck and ramming the passenger side hard into the obstruction. His face hit the steering wheel with a distinct crunch. He looked over at Tess, door crushed up against her side, and thought maybe he’d come out the better for it, even not wearing a seatbelt. He dazedly opened his door.
Giant hands surrounded his throat, lifting him off his feet.
“What! What!” he gagged.
“I’m just holding you for a while.” Enlil’s teeth shone evil and sinister in the now moonlit sky. “So someone else can deal with you.” He looked over the top of the truck and met Marduk’s eyes where the thunder god was frantically pulling away vines and tearing at the demolished door to get to Tess. Marduk’s movements slowed when he opened the truck and gentled as he lifted Tess ever so carefully from the wreck. Her eyes were closed, but she spoke, splitting her lip again as she grinned.
“Nice brake-stop guys.”
Dumuzi looked sheepish, but Marduk knew if she was able to sass, she was okay. It was safe to put her into Huxley’s arms while he took care of business.
“I’ll get back to you shortly, my mouse,” he dropped a soft kiss on her head, then assured her, “Don’t think I’m ever letting you go again.”
All those possessive pronouns, Tess sent to him. I must be more out of it than I think…or your elevated testosterone is talking.
Marduk snorted. There was no time to waste being amused. He had a scumbag to take care of.
“Hux?” Marduk didn’t have to ask twice. Huxley gently gathered Tess into his arms.
“Come on, big sister. Your man needs to take some frustrations out on the bad guy.”
Tess sighed. Yup, it was just a hormone issue.
Marduk stormed to the other side of the truck.
“Drop him,” he ordered Enlil, who reluctantly obeyed. The circle of gods closed in, quietly placing bets on what Marduk would do next.
Gage leaned against the vehicle, bleeding from the nose.
“Don’t hurt me,” he cried. “I’m already injured!”
Marduk brought a fist forward and smashed it into the broken appendage. Gage screamed and his hands went to his face. Marduk whipped out again with a wicked right to the ribcage. It gave with an audible crack and the gods all responded with the appropriate, Oooh! A little money changed hands with nods of “I told you so’s,” but all bets were off as Marduk backed up and encouraged Gage to go.
“Run, asshole,” he growled.
Gage looked at him through a haze of blood and tears.
“Run, I said!” There was no mistaking the purpose in Marduk’s voice, and Gage struggled to put one foot in front of the other.
“What are you going to do?” he blubbered. “I’m hurt! I’m helpless.” He turned and stumbled a number of feet away, but, as he pretended helplessness, he reached into his jacket. With a sweep and a throw, he spun his long hunting knife across the void, hitting Marduk’s chest, directly over the heart. It buried to the hilt.
“How do you like that, fucker?” Gage looked momentarily triumphant, but his grin faded as Marduk didn’t even flinch.
“Did they not tell you what I am?” Marduk’s growled. He looked disgustedly down to where the knife protruded and plucked it from his chest.
Gage’s eyes grew wide in disbelief.
Marduk played thunder around his head. “Now I’ll tell you our new game.” The god moved forward, stopping inches from a now trembling Gage. Using the human’s knife, he slowly flicked each and every button off of Gage’s shirt.
“You will run,” Marduk said. “And every time I catch you, I will carve a mark deep into your skin. Like this.” Marduk flashed out with one hand, gripping Gage’s wrist to hold him in place as he brought up the other and cut a deep score four inches long on Gage’s chest. Blood welled up.
“You’re crazy,” Gage screamed. “Do you see that he’s crazy?” The terrorized male appealed to Hux and Enlil, unable to see the satisfaction on ten other faces.
“I’d do what he says,” threatened Enlil. “Or I’ll finish you off right here, and it won’t be nearly as sporting.”
“Tess!” Gage was desperate now. “You can’t let him do this to me! Tess, help me, please!”
Tess kept her eyes closed and her face pressed up against Huxley’s shirt. Marduk knew she didn’t want to see anything, but wouldn’t stop what was about to happen. If the gods hadn’t rescued her, it would be her body being carved up right now, not this prick’s. There would be no sympathy from her to change Gage’s fate.
“Run…now.” Marduk’s voice came out a lethal whisper, and Gage stumbled off the road onto a trail that led up to the gorge.
Marduk was quickly upon him. “Not fast enough!” He tripped the man and flipped him over on his back, making another deep mark in his skin. “That’s two,” he gloated without mercy, kicking Gage back to his feet and making him run again. The action was repeated five more times before Marduk felt the bulk of his ire start to ease.
Gage looked back at the changing Marduk and saw him breaking into particles. Marduk heard hysterical laughter bubble from the male’s throat. There was no way the human could know what was happening, but Marduk sensed his prey’s relief. The bastard thought he was going to make it. He believed he was going to get away. Let him have hope, Marduk smiled with malice. It would make the reality that much more potent. Gage yelled back at the mist where he’d last seen Marduk.
“Fuck you!” He began stumbling up the trail. “I’ve won and, when I come back for the girl, I’ll make sure there’s nothing left of her for you. Do you understand?” His feet were making faster and faster progress toward the canyon. He thought he was going to escape and eventually come back to haunt Tess again. The male was so wrong. Marduk’s lips curled in satisfaction as he followed his unsuspecting prey. The path became steep, and the drop into the gorge was only inches away from Gage’s feet.
Enlil, Marduk called. Help me with the wind. He brought his own thunder and lightning from the sky. Marduk strode forward, unseen by his enemy.
Dumuzi! Wrap the infidel with vines. Marduk would make sure his revenge was complete before seeking the man’s death.
Tendrils rose from the dirt at Gage’s feet, grabbing at his ankles and crawling up his legs. They twisted him and dragged him to the earth, baring
his chest to the elements. Marduk towered unseen over the bound man.
“Count them!” Marduk’s voice rumbled across the sky. Gage obviously heard the words as if they were all around him.
“Who said that?” he sobbed, not receiving an answer. “C-c-c-count what?” Gage looked around, seeing no one, frantically attempting to loosen his limbs. “How is this happening?” The whites of his eyes shone large in his bloody face.
“Count the marks I’ve made.” Marduk was enjoying this.
“I don’t know! I…somebody help me!” Gage screamed.
Enlil’s wind ripped what was left of the shirt from the writhing man’s body, revealing an eagle tattoo on his shoulder with the word “Justice” inscribed on a banner clutched in the bird’s talons. Marduk’s face lit up with a sinister glee. He knew what he had to do.
Dumuzi, I need you again!
The god appeared instantly by his side.
Will you call upon your friend, the great eagle, and bid him finish my task?
Dumuzi, friend to all animals, saw into Marduk’s head and understanding dawned. He nodded.
It shall be done.
The two were joined by all the brothers. They waited silently on the rain-soaked path, the thrashing male at their feet. Within minutes, up from the chasm below arose a great predator. Gage became aware of the eagle as it neared and shrieked to witness the seven-foot wingspan back lit by flashes in the sky as it moved closer.
“No! No!” he screamed into the desolate night.
Score him five more times! Marduk had Dumuzi command the magnificent creature, impervious to Gage’s cries. The gods watched dispassionately as the eagle sunk talons deep into Gage’s flesh, destroying the mocking tattoo, the pain causing shrieks to be ripped from the doomed man’s throat.
When the eagle finally took wing, Marduk said, “We’re done here.”
He looked around. Ninurta. Shift the ground and weaken the soil where he lies. When it was done, Marduk had only to concentrate a shaft of rain on the loosened dirt and, with a slow roll, a look of terrible understanding passed over the horrified man’s face. The mud sloughed away, and Gage disappeared into the crevasse. He screamed all the way down.