123 The stray dog

The car was silent for a moment, with the vampire's question looming over them awkwardly. Esme parted her lips to speak, but Marcus spoke first.

"How do you know my name?" Marcus answered with a question. Esme looked at him, noting his back was straight and his muscles tense. She didn't like seeing him look so uncomfortable, but right now, it was better than him returning to the Hellhounds. 

Initially, she wanted Marcus to stay by Camilla's side and inform her of the Hellhound's plans. But after believing he was dead and finding out how hard his life had been since he woke from his coma, Esme couldn't deny his plan. Marcus wanted to be out of the Hellhounds, and by faking his death, they hoped Camilla might take the bait and give up on trying to bring Esme back.