Page 61 of The Sea Witch’s Son (The Villains of Wolf Hollow #1)
Chapter 60
MELODY
To sacrifice is to survive.
That is what I reminded myself when I befriended the mayor’s daughter on the first day of school. The bright orange hair was an easy identifier, and once Marlin put her out of commission, I had no problem finding a reason to visit her house on the regular.
Which made planting the drugs in Anton’s office all the easier.
I did feel bad. Guilty, even, knowing my new friend would wake up without a father one day. But sacrifices had to be made, and if it meant surviving this godforsaken town, then I was all too ready to make them.
But not everything went according to the plan.
I can feel his presence the moment I enter my bedroom. The weight of his stare when I peel off my clothes and pull on my pyjamas. The sound of his breathing when I walk past the hidden nook beside my dresser.
“I was here the first day you moved to Wolf Hollow.”
His voice is cold and empty, and something much stronger than guilt pinches my chest.
“I watched you unpack your boxes, hang up your clothes and organize your makeup. I watched you pull off your shirt and put on a new one. I even watched you grab a pair of scissors when you thought someone was watching.”
I turn and face my stalker, the white-haired giant who was never supposed to take up this much of my headspace.
Marlin steps out of his hiding spot, his eyes achingly dark as they flick over my face.
“I thought it was curious that a girl with such a fighting spirit would turn and run on her first day of school. If she was so willing to fight a monster, why would a magician be any different?”
I don’t say anything, I just stare at his face. Memorizing every angle in case this is the last time I see it.
“Unless, of course, she did it on purpose. Play the part of the bait so someone else would find her that day.” A bitter smile hits his face, “You knew exactly who I was, didn’t you?”
Silence falls between us until all I can hear is the stuttering beat of my heart.
“I knew you had a thing for fear.” Swallowing thickly, I force myself to meet his stare, “I didn’t know what you looked like. ”
“So, you threw yourself beneath a flowerbed, hoping such a strong reaction would draw me out of the shadows.” He lets out a dry laugh, “That’s why you assumed Finley was me.”
“Marlin-
“You were the distraction.” He breaks eye contact and stares at a spot above my head, “You were my distraction. Keeping me occupied so I wouldn’t catch on to what Erik was doing at the house party. Forcing my attention on your past so I wouldn’t stop and wonder about your future."
His jaw tightens, “Tell me, Melody. What are you doing in Wolf Hollow?”
My heart fucking breaks at the sound of my name.
“I’m here to secure my stepfather a job.”
“And?”
Tears burn my eyes, “To eliminate his competition.”
He chuckles darkly, “Anton Clementon wasn’t Erik’s only competition, was he?”
When I don’t answer, Marlin rocks back on his heels.
“I got a sudden urge to clean out my locker this morning. Do you know what I found?”
The guilt surges in my chest but I can’t bring myself to look away.
“I found residue of the stolen Dragon Fire. ” His lips split into a cruel smile, “Almost as if someone had planted the drugs and then changed their mind. ”
“It wasn’t supposed to be this way.” Blinking hard, I feel tears start to escape, “You were supposed to be just another person I could leave behind.”
“And how did that work out for you?”
His tone is mocking and borderline cruel. I knew this was how our story was going to end, but I didn’t want to be the one to end it.
“I’ve sacrificed so much. My friends, my teachers, even my own father.” My voice splits right down the middle, “I’ve sacrificed them all to ensure my family’s survival.”
Marlin stares at me silently, watching the tears spill onto my cheeks.
“But I couldn’t... I couldn’t sacrifice you.”
It was the one truth I could never escape.
I came to Wolf Hollow with a plan. Remove Anton Clementon from office and secure my stepfather a position with the Dragon. Eliminate any potential candidates who might pose a threat to the plan.
Marlin Seaborn was supposed to be my target.
Not the one person I couldn’t leave behind.
“You played me a fool.”
“But so did you.” A watery laugh escapes me, “You used me just as much as I used you. The only reason we’re having this conversation is because you grew a conscience after you fucked the Finley situation.”
“So, you were using him to get my attention. ”
“Of course I was. And you did the exact same thing with Freya.”
Marlin goes quiet.
“I did not pull you out of the water because I suddenly grew a conscience.” He steps forward, running a knuckle down the side of my face, “I pulled you out because I was not ready to say goodbye. Not before we had a chance to be together.”
More tears spill over as I look at the man who completely derailed my plans.
“I’m a liar and a manipulator.”
He nods slowly, thoughtfully, “And I believe that may be the thing I love most about you. A close second, at least, to your stamina in bed.”
God. He’s such a dick.
My face breaks into a wide smile, “Shut the fuck up and kiss me, Marlin.”
“Ask me nicely, little saint.”
Instead of answering, I grab his face and plant my lips on his. He chuckles against my mouth, the deep vibrations rumbling through his body and melting into mine.
Marlin picks me up and pins me against the wall. We fight for control, biting and clawing at each other until there’s nothing but our black hearts beating together like some sort of twisted harmony.
He bites my neck, marking me like the vampire he is. I return the favour, stealing a piece for myself because this man is mine just as much as I am his .
“You belong to me.” I whisper in his ear, digging my nails into his skin so he knows there’s no escape.
“Every piece, little saint.” He licks a path up my neck, “You own every piece.”
We disappear into the darkness together, a couple of monsters finding solace in the shadows. It’s not the kind of story you tell your children about, but that’s okay.
Because I found someone who treats me like an equal.
Strong and fucking capable.