Page 36 of Marks of Rebellion

"It doesn't feel normal."

"It's my fault. I shouldn't have—"

"It's not your fault. None of this is your fault," she sternly states.

"I'm sorry I broke my promise to you."

She scrunches her face. "What are you talking about?"

"I told you I would never hurt you."

"You haven't."

"I did."

"No, you didn't."

"I shouldn't wave my hands around and talk so harshly."

"Hunter, you can't stop being who you are."

"I'll—"

"No. It's not your fault. And I..." She looks away, and my gut does a nosedive. It's like I know something terrible is coming.

My mouth goes dry. Everything stills as I wait for her to look at me and speak.

Her hands tremble. "I... I don't think I should involve you in all my issues."

I swallow the thick lump in my throat. "What are you saying?"

She wipes under her eye and finally turns to me. "I'm not the person I used to be, and I'm not sure if she's even still in me."

"She is. It's not even been a day since you've been free."

"But I'm not free, am I?"

"I don't understand."

"He's with me, in my head. He steps into conversations that have nothing to do with him. For eight months, I lived with men who were ruthless and vile. I knew what they expected of me and how not to upset them."

"You don't have to worry about upsetting me," I blurt out.

She shakes her head. "You don't get it."

"Then help me understand." The thumping of my heart is so fast and loud, I'm sure she can hear it.

"In those eight months, I never had an episode."

"I'll do better. I promise. And I'm going to apologize to Julieta. I shouldn't have argued with her."

She reaches up and puts her shaking hand on my cheek. "This isn't about you. You're amazing. I don't want you to change."

What is happening here?

"The moment I'm with normal people—good people—I freak out. He still has me in his prison, and I'm messed up from it. And I don't want to drag you into this."

"You aren't dragging me into anything."