Bound To You: Marcus Volturi

Chapter 73: Closer To The Battle

Liam is bruised. His arms, his face. The bruises are turning yellow from age so I'm guessing this attack has happened a little while ago. "What happened to you?" I repeat, clutching his face and gently stroking one of his bruises. 

Liam pulls away with attitude. "Enough. Don't touch them." He snaps, glaring at me. He stalks away from me, heading through into the apartment. It's not the grandest place I've ever seen but clearly, they're trying their best to make it seem homely.

There's a sofa which is cracked leather and smells of beer no doubt because of Liam being such an avid drinker. "Liam..." I sigh at him, shoving him so he falls into the direction of the sofa but is caught by none other than Priest.

His arms encircle him in a protective hold and Liam melts into his body, slotting into him like a jigsaw piece. "I've got you, handsome. I'm here." They belong together.

My heart leaps a little at the sight of him. Knowing Liam has had decent company for the last few months comforts me. Especially because Priest knows when Liam needs his medication and how to handle him. I don't know how Demetri would have managed on his own.

"Priest." I announce, holding out a hand. "It's good to see you with some clothes on." I smirk and he has the decency to look embarrassed without blushing. I don't think I'll ever forget walking in on them that morning after Sulpicia's party.

"Lee." He nods, shaking my hand firmly and bowing when he notices Marcus behind me. "Master." He ackowledges, before striding over to the connecting kitchen and pulling open the fridge door.

"Here you go." He throws me a cold can of coke which I quickly back away from with a shriek, bumping into Marcus, who with an outstretched arm, catches it in his hand.

"Argh!" I cover my head with my hands for protection as Marcus opens it with an amused look on his face. Liam just sighs while Priest looks confused. "She can't catch, so she runs away from the moving object." Marcus explains for me and Priest rolls his eyes at me.

"Excuse me, Doctor." I snark, pulling the can away from Marcus and taking a seat on the old sofa. "Not everyone has amazing reflexes." I sprawl across, feeling soothed by the cool material.

"Now tell me," I demand, looking across to Liam who is still trying to cover up his bruises but Marcus too, has already noticed him. "What happened?" I try again but Liam still shakes his head. "One of Jeanie's contacts." Priest snarls at the memories. "I only left him for a few minutes." He adds, quietly.

"But when I got back, he was bloody and had a broken arm." He goes to Liam's side and envelopes him in his arms. "I should never have left you. I broke my promise to protect you at all costs." He looks guilty but Demetri steps in.

"It wasn't your fault, Priest. There was nothing you could have done." He turns to me to explain. "The contact was also a vampire. A teleporter. He was in and out of here in an instant." He glances across to Liam and looks at his injuries. "But not before he could do harm." He also looks full of regret.

"Did you eliminate this 'contact'?" Marcus intervenes, the air quotes clear in his voice as he speaks. "Yes, Master." Demetri nods confidently and I notice Marcus visibly relax at the answer.

"Well." Felix strides across to the sofa and takes a seat beside me, stretching out his large form. "What do you think we should do about this...upcoming battle?" He phrases, looking between the three.

"Jeanie is to be killed." Marcus decides promptly. "She will cause harm to Lee and many others. She has always wanted to hurt our coven and this will be her chance."

Priest nods in agreement. "Yes, but how are we supposed to know when she will attack? We only know that she is coming for us." He stresses, panic evident in his eyes. "What can we do?" He looks worriedly at Marcus, Felix and Demetri. Liam has given up on the conversation and is sitting on top of the counter tops in the kitchen.