Samantha watched as past-Marcus entered the hotel lobby, his eyes scanning the room with predatory intensity. The present-Marcus beside her tensed, his jaw clenching as he watched the scene unfold.
"I was there to check on Elena," he explained quietly. "I thought she was mourning my death. I wanted to see how she was coping."
Before he could finish, Elena glided into view. She moved with graceful confidence, her eyes sweeping the room. A satisfied smile played on her lips as she greeted various people in the lobby.
Past-Marcus stiffened, pressing himself against a pillar to avoid being seen. His expression was a mix of longing and conflict as he watched Elena from afar.
"I almost revealed myself to her that night," present-Marcus said, his voice tight with emotion. "I was so close to stepping out, to letting her know I was alive... or rather, undead."
