BLOOD OWNS THIS CITY

The Aftermath

The sirens came at dawn.

Marcus stood on the rooftop of the Iron Tower, watching the police swarm the building below. Viktor was still on the ninth floor, bleeding, screaming, but alive. Marcus had called it in before leaving.

Darnell sat against the wall, clutching his ribs. His face was a mess of purple and black. But he was breathing.

"You saved my life," Darnell said. His voice was rough.

Marcus didn't look at him. "You saved mine first. That's how it works."

"Does it? I thought you worked alone."

Marcus turned. There was something like humor in Darnell's eyes. Not much. But enough.

"I'm learning," Marcus said. "Come on. We need to move."

Darnell struggled to his feet. "Where to?"

"Somewhere Viktor's men won't find us. Mrs. Chen's. For now."

They descended the fire escape. The streets below were chaos. Police cars. Ambulances. Journalists with cameras. Viktor Volkov, the untouchable king of Veridian Bay, was being wheeled out on a stretcher. His face was white with shock and rage.

Marcus watched from the shadows. Good. Let Viktor see the headlines. Let him taste defeat.

Darnell grabbed his arm. "We need to go. Now."

Marcus nodded. They disappeared into the maze of back alleys.

---

Mrs. Chen's restaurant was closed when they arrived. Marcus knocked twice. A pause. Then the door creaked open.

Mrs. Chen's face appeared in the crack. Her eyes widened at the sight of them.

"Get inside," she said. "Quickly."

She led them to the back room. Marcus helped Darnell onto a cot. Mrs. Chen brought water and bandages.

"Your friend needs a doctor," she said. "Those ribs are broken."

"No doctors," Marcus said. "Too many questions."

Mrs. Chen gave him a hard look. "You'll kill him if you don't get him help."

Marcus knelt beside Darnell. His hands were steady as he examined the wounds. Cracked ribs. Possible concussion. Heavy bruising. Nothing immediately life-threatening.

"I can treat him," Marcus said. "I've done it before."

Mrs. Chen shook her head but didn't argue. She handed him a medical kit and disappeared into the kitchen.

Darnell watched him work. "You've done this before. Many times."

"I was a soldier." Marcus wrapped a bandage around Darnell's ribs. "I've seen worse."

"Not like this. I saw you in the tower. The way you moved. The way you fought." Darnell winced as Marcus tightened the bandage. "You weren't just a soldier. You were something else."

Marcus didn't answer. He finished the bandage and sat back on his heels.

Darnell met his gaze. "You were the Ghost. The one they still talk about. The man who could kill with his bare hands and make it look like an accident."

Marcus's jaw tightened. "That man is dead."

"No, he isn't." Darnell's voice was firm. "I saw him tonight. He's still there. He's just... quieter."

Marcus stood up. His leg was screaming. His spine was on fire. But he forced himself to stay upright.

"Rest," he said. "We'll talk in the morning."

He walked out of the room. Mrs. Chen was in the kitchen. She didn't look up from her work.

"You're going after Viktor again," she said. "Aren't you?"

"He's still alive. The other four are still alive. This isn't over."

"Your body can't take much more. You're destroying yourself."

Marcus leaned against the counter. The pain was a constant companion now. A dull ache that never went away.

"I don't have a choice," he said. "My men are dead. Their families are in danger. And the man who started all of this is still out there."

Mrs. Chen set down her knife. "Your father."

Marcus's heart stopped. "How do you—"

"I know things." She met his gaze. "I've been in this city a long time, Marcus Webb. I know who you are. I know who your father is. And I know you won't stop until you find him."

Marcus's hands tightened on the counter. "Where is he?"

Mrs. Chen was silent for a long moment. Then she reached under the counter and pulled out a folded piece of paper.

"I don't know where he is. But I know someone who does." She handed him the paper. "The Black Lotus. Vivian Rourke. She has the names of everyone in Viktor's organization. Including your father."

Marcus stared at the paper. His hands were shaking.

"Go," Mrs. Chen said. "But be careful. That woman doesn't give anything for free."

Marcus pocketed the paper. "Thank you. For everything."

Mrs. Chen nodded. "Just survive, boy. That's all the thanks I need."

Marcus walked out of the kitchen. Darnell was asleep in the back room. His breathing was steady.

Marcus pulled out his phone. One text message.

*Vivian. I need to see you. Tonight.*

The reply came within seconds.

*Midnight. The Black Lotus. Come alone.*

Marcus pocketed the phone and walked out into the night.

The hunt for his father was about to begin.

*Should Marcus trust Vivian Rourke's information or find his father another way?*