The Last God

elled like rust

e floor, tasting copper on his split lip. Above him,

up, f

er who enjoyed his work too much. Marcus

ded through his chest, but Marcus swa

id ge

. The iron collar around his neck dug into his skin, covered in sym

aid, grabbing Marcus by the hair

floor. How long had he been down here? Weeks?

s office. The room was too bright. Marcus squinted

is scarred face. He was mortal, but he worked for something wor

studying him like a broken

Speaking was a privil

d. "The Vesper said you carried the mark. That you survived the Crimson N

a brand. A memory of fire and screaming gods, of Chicago streets

ad survived. And that s

g," Viktor mused. "Perhaps y

rcus. "Want me to toss h

hone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and his expression

iktor said quietly

died. "Now? But we

ow

ne stretched before him, glittering and distant. Fr

ifted. Rea

ween one heartbe

, defying physics. Her eyes burned gold, and her presen

oman. A

ted with power that made Marcus

said, bowing low. "Mar

. Her shadows reached out, testing, probing. M

"Buried deep. Dormant." Her golden

or said quickly. "Pain, deprivat

t, gripping Marcus's throat. Her touch burned. "It

rcus's ear. "Do you know what happened that

d not to remember. Tried to ke

er power. And in the chaos, you stumbled into the Crossfire. You should have died. Instead, A

t hammered ag

curse," she said. "A weapon wrappe

, and Marcus col

he survives the binding ritual, he will be ready. If n

's chains, but the Ve

r. Her expression shifted. "Interesting. It seems the Norse faction ha

Marcus with a smile

us Chen. Because if you do, I will te

ality folding ar

im to the Crucible. Now. Before

burned hotter. Beneath his skin, something stirred.

finally, terribly