You jumped down the steps of the council building and stretched.

"So?", you asked. "How will we handle the issue?"

"About what issue are we talking?", Marcus asked sarcastically. "Jayce or Silco?"

You had to chuckle.

"Bold, sheriff."

He wanted to laugh but as his gaze caught a movement in the corner of his eyes, the sound got stuck in his throat. Swallowing hard, he stared into the direction of the harbour.

Two men were lingering in the shadows, faces grim while their eyes were demanding for his presence.

Marcus knew them.

They were Silco's henchmen.

"Marcus?", with worried eyes, you placed a hand on his shoulder. "What's wrong?"

You wanted to take a look yourself. But his hands quickly grabbed your face and forced you to keep looking at his eyes.

"Nothing.", he smiled but it seemed rather forced and nervous. "I mean... I'm fine. It's just... I need you to do me a favour."

Confused you frowned and freed yourself from him.

"A favour?", you asked and threw a glance into the direction he had looked at.

His heart almost skipped a beat. But as he noticed that the henchmen were gone he relaxed and sighed relieved.

"Yes, a favour. Nothing big."

Looking back at him again, you shrugged.

What exactly, you asked with a grin and crossed your arms in front of your chest.

He hesitated. His eyes avoided you again.

"I need to settle some private matters.", he said, curling his lips. "Alone."

Surprised, your eyebrows rose. But you kept yourself from feeling attacked.

"So I'm not wanted, huh?", it was supposed to be a joke but the undertone in your voice said otherwise. "Is it that important?"

His gaze jumped to the corner where the men had been waiting and immediately back to you.

"Matter of life and death. I know this isn't the best moment, but... could you do the patrolling without me?"

A spark of suspicion awoke in you despite not knowing why. Unsure, you had to throw another glance towards the harbour. But again, no one was there.

A heavy sigh left your lips.

"Fine.", you agreed. "Anything else I help with?"

He hesitated for a moment.

"Take a look at the paperwork for me, maybe?"

You had to chuckle.

"Still hate the formalities, I see."

He sighed.

"Like nothing else.", he admitted and put on his helmet to leave. "And (Y/N)?"

"Hm?"

"Thanks. I owe you one."

"You do. I'll tell you my price when you return. Now go and get your shit done."

"Already gone."

Without looking back, Marcus rushed across the bridge and into the lower part of the city, Zaun. Silco's henchmen we're right behind to keep an eye on him, but far enough away to not attract unwanted attention.

As soon as he set one step into the filthy lanes, he had to pull his mask up to prevent choking on the thick, polluted air. Every breath scratched in his lungs and the taste of gasoline spread in his mouth.

The light in front of his eyes turned green, mingled with dust and all kinds of strange gases.

His mood was already grim as he kicked open the door to the last drop.

Sevika, Silco's right hand woman got up from her chair as soon as she spotted him walking directly towards the stairs that lead to Silco's office. She tried to interfere, but Marcus pushed her harshly aside and barged into the room as if he was the owner of this hellhole.

As the door jumped open, Silco raised his gaze to take a look at whoever was disturbing.

"You wanted to see me.", the mask came off with a hissing sound.

Silco nodded, seemingly disinterested in the sheriff.

"Take a seat.", he said and gestured towards a stool that was standing opposite of the couch.

But Marcus refused. For the first time, his anger at this man was greater than his fear of his power.

"You send your henchmen straight to Piltover!", he hissed and smashed his helmet onto Silco's desk. "Do you have any idea how easy it would have been to spot them? Someone almost saw. Even I could not have come up with an excuse."

With a sort of fuck-you attitude, Silco glanced up at him. The orange eye of his sparkled with a hint of annoyance.

"Sit down, Marcus.", he repeated calmly but his undertone told him that saying no wasn't an option.

Breathing in sharply, Marcus pulled a face but sat his ass down as he noticed the huge henchmen moving behind him. Nervously, his foot tapped on the wooden floor as he leaned forward and waited impatiently for Silco to take a seat as well.

"I heard there was a little incident.", Silco began and glanced at Marcus. "How are you planning on dealing with this?"

More anger lit up in his brown eyes. The foot tapping got worse.

"You said you could control her. I lost six officers. Six!", he wanted to jump up but got pulled back into his seat. "She pushed it too far this time. The council's up in arms. I can't make this go away for you unless you give me something to work with. Arresting her would be doing you a favour."

Silco cut the tip of his cigar.

"I don't need favours.", he hissed. "I need you to do your job. The firelights have been a thorn in both our sides. They ambush my shipment at the hex gates on the same day as the attack. It seems to me the council has its culprit."

Angrily, Marcus pulled a face.

"Oh that's tidy for you.", he growled and tilted his head. "What if I'm not interested in playing along?"

But Silco remained unimpressed.

"We've accomplished a lot together, Marcus. Sheriff.", he pointed at his badge. "And there is more yet to achieve. I hope you can remain a part of that."

Threateningly, he leaned forward and gave one of his henchmen a silent command to grab the bag of coins from his desk.

With a harsh gesture, the brute shoved it into Marcus' chest so he would grab it without complain.

"For their families from an anonymous concerned citizen.", Silco smirked.

For a moment, Marcus glared at him. There was so much hate, so much will to kill Silco.

But he couldn't.

Ultimately, he was weak, spineless. This was the path he had chosen for himself. And he knew that.

Without another word Marcus grabbed his helmet and stomped out.