"The thrall..." Marcus murmured. "It's finally taken hold."
Marcus's expression shifted from confusion to dawning realization.
As the words left his lips, Belmont's features began to transform. The hard lines of his face softened, the tension in his body dissipating. The centuries-old rage that had consumed him seemed to melt away, replaced by a look of profound sorrow and regret.
"Graciella" Belmont breathed his dead sister's name, his voice barely a whisper.
Samantha and Marcus exchanged a relieved glance, the tension in their bodies slowly ebbing away. The thrall Marcus had placed on the younger Belmont had finally taken root in the present-day vampire, unlocking the memories and emotions they had hoped to nurture.
Past-Belmont made a positive choice.
"Belmont," Marcus said, his voice gentle but firm.
Belmont's gaze met Marcus's, and in that moment, Marcus knew he would never reconnect with him. That was the drawback.
