Page 22 of Blood that Burns

I never said it then, and I never will, because it isn’t fair. She had her reasons for lying, and I can only hope she remembers that as she badgers me about mine.

My head lowers and I whisper, “I know. I didn’t handle the news well, and I started to panic.”

Her eyes narrow in on me with that last part because she doesn’t know what I knew. The Council was coming for us. It’s a slip that I hope she glosses over, because I’m not ready to delve into all of that.

Law swooped in and helped me form a plan, something to give me purpose. I needed my family to believe that I’d gone completely insane so I could disappear. The Council would chase me, leading them away from my family.

Law had found a gemstone that would shield Marina’s identity from the Council, but it wasn’t a long-term solution. We just needed enough time to get in touch with a witch Law knew who could build a shield to keep us both protected permanently.

There was a cabin in the middle of the woods that Law had secured for the protection shield. As soon as it was in place, the plan was to go back for Marina. Law promised she’d be safe because of the necklace with the spelled gem and the fact that he’d been leaving a trail for his father. One that would have led him to think both Marina and I were with Law.

My one concern about that plan was Marina. My parents... they wouldn’t have known what was going on, but Marina would never have stopped looking. She would’ve made a scene and given our plans away. We had to be quick with setting up our safety or Marina would surely stumble directly into the path of the vampires.

But everything went to shit.

The gemstone never made it to Marina, and the Council showed up sooner than expected, cornering me at Widow’s Peak.

It’s why I chose to jump that day. If the Council thought I was dead, there’d be no need to track down the other triplet. There’d be no concern about the legends coming true. Or so I thought.

And if I was dead, Marina would have closure. But that’s not how it turned out. There was no body and Marina wasn’t convinced, according to what Marcellus told me.

I offer a few more details before deciding to broach the subject of the day I jumped.

“What you saw that day did happen, only what you didn’t know was that I didn’t actually fall.”

Marina’s brows scrunch in confusion.

There’s movement by the door, and I turn to see Law backing out.

“I’m going to leave you two alone for a bit. If you get hungry, let me know.”

I smile and nod at Law who looks wholly uncomfortable and ready to bolt. He glances at Marina, and something passes between them. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think he’s silently telling her to tread lightly.

“Continue,” she barks, not giving me one second’s reprieve. “You didn’t actually fall...”

My head shakes back and forth slowly. “I didn’t, because Marcellus saved me.”

The various expressions that cross over Marina’s face are priceless. Confusion gives way to shock, which ends in something akin to distress.

“What the hell! You’ve been at his place this entire time? Are you all right?”

If not for the seriousness of the subject, I’d laugh at Marina’s over-the-top reaction. I’m sure she has heard all the worst things about Marcellus, but I was the safest I’d been in years at his house. She’ll fight against that truth with all she has, but I’m determined to make her hear me, while still making good on my promise.

“I’m okay. Fine, actually.” I take a deep breath and make sure to stress the next part. “Marcellus wasn’t bad to me.”

She still manages to freak out, which I expected. If she’s with Julian, she’s already made her decisions about who Marcellus is.

“He’s evil incarnate.” Her voice pitches and I know this is going to be an uphill battle.

“No, Marina. It’s all an act for his brothers’ benefit. Within the walls of his home, I was treated well. Exceptionally well.”

Okay, so I might’ve pushed my agreement with Marcellus a little bit with that, but this is Marina, and I have to make her see the truth.

“Did he compel you? Feed you drugs? Stockholm.”

I shake my head in exasperation. She’s bound and determined to believe the worst of him, and I can’t blame her, considering his part in her friend’s death. He told me, but I won’t say that. I’ll allow her to tell me in her own time.

“I know that you have a million reasons to be suspicious and even more reasons to hate him, but I’m telling you, for whatever reason, he was good to me.”