The Pyre of Promise.

The Pyre of Promise.


Chapter Seventy Three: The Pyre of Promise

Merrick stared at the ceiling, Elliot fast asleep on his chest. 

His breathing was soft now, but Merrick couldn't forget the sound of his sobs. Each one had felt like a knife to his heart.

Enough, he thought, his jaw tightening. No more.

A cold rage filled him. He was getting Elliot out of this mess, no matter what.

He slowly slipped out of bed, pulling on his black jeans and jacket. His eyes fell on Elliot's ID card on the nightstand.

The picture made Elliot look scared. Never again, Merrick vowed.

He leaned down, placing one last, soft kiss on Elliot's forehead. "I'll fix this," he whispered.

For a long moment, he just watched him sleep. So beautiful. So worth burning the world for.

Then he turned and shut the door behind him.



"Hey! You there!"

Merrick froze, his cap pulled low. A DRS agent was striding toward him, looking suspicious.

"I need to see your face. Take off the cap," the man demanded.

Big mistake.

In a flash, Merrick's hand shot out. There was a sickening crunch as he ripped the man's throat out. The agent crumpled to the ground without another sound.

No witnesses.

Merrick moved like a ghost through the building. He locked every door from the outside.

He found the main gas line and smashed it open. The hiss of escaping gas was like music to his ears.

Office to office. Smash. Burn. Destroy. He was erasing every trace of Elliot's past, every file, every record.

He was setting his love free with fire and blood.

Finally, he stood outside, watching the flames climb into the night sky. A slow, cold smile spread across his face. Done.



"Merrick?", a soft but frantic voice called behind him.

He turned. Elliot stood there, his face pale, his eyes wide with horror as he stared at the inferno.

"What... what have you done?" Elliot whispered, his voice trembling.

"You... you really did it," he breathed, his eyes glued to the flames that were consuming his prison. "You burned it all down."

Merrick stepped forward, his hands…still slightly stained with blood…reaching for Elliot's face. He cupped it gently.

"I told you I would get you your freedom," Merrick said, his voice low and intense. "Did you think I was lying? I would burn the whole world for you, Elliot. Let this be the proof."

Elliot leaned into the touch, his own hands coming up to hold Merrick's wrists. "There's no going back now."

"There never was," Merrick vowed, his eyes locked on Elliot's. "Not from the moment I found you again. The only way is forward. With me."



"Yo, have you seen this?" Fiona slammed a newspaper onto the table. The headline screamed: BLOODY MASSACRE AT SECRET GOVERNMENT BUILDING!

"It's all over the news. This is bad."

"So?" Prince shrugged, trying to play it cool.

Aiden picked up the paper, his hands shaking. "You guys don't think... Merrick did this, do you?"

"Who else would it be?" Fiona shot back. "He's in Paris. He would do anything for Elliot."

"He did what he had to," Aiden said softly, one hand unconsciously drifting to his stomach. "Wouldn't any of you do the same for someone you loved?"

Grants let out a nasty snicker. "Let's just say it's a little 'payback' for what they did to him before."

"Grants!" Prince snapped, shooting him a warning look.

"This is reckless," Fiona argued, running a hand through her hair in frustration. "He could have exposed us all our existence! He's putting everyone in danger!"

“We could scold Merrick all we want when he gets back but we all have to be kind to Elliot. I hope the whole house understands?”,  Aiden says staring at everyone, giving a warning look.

River comes rushing in smiling like a kid that was just handed a candy, "guys, don't you think we should throw like a welcome party for..."

"Elliot", Aiden smiles helping him completes his sentence.

"Rivers, don't you have assignments?", Gabriella yells from the halls.

River rolls his eyes, making everyone laugh at his silliness.



"Where are we going?" Elliot asked, his hand held tightly in Merrick's.

Merrick smiled, handing him a brand new passport. "Home. The family misses you especially Aiden. He asked me never to show up at home if I wasn't bringing you with me"

Elliot's face lit up with a real, genuine smile for the first time in what felt like forever.

They found their seats on the plane, and Elliot immediately rested his head on Merrick's shoulder as the engines roared to life.

"No more looking over my shoulder?" Elliot whispered as the plane lifted into the air.

Merrick kissed the top of his head. "The only thing behind us is the past. Let's shape the future together."