Page 82 of The Tracker's Dawn: Sunderverse

“Why don’t you come with me?” I said, offering Marcus my hand.

I thought he would turn me down, but he squeezed my fingers and let me help him out. Together we left the garage and entered the house. I didn’t guide him into the training room, though. It seemed to me he wanted to be alone right now. Instead, I took him upstairs and led him to one of the sitting areas. He sank into the sofa, his movements robotic.

“Would you like anything? Some water? A drink?” I asked.

He shook his head.

I stood there for a long moment, unsure of what to do or say. Finally, I asked, “Would you mind if I sit with you?”

He was quiet for so long I thought his silence was a way to sayno, but just as I was about to leave, he spoke.

“No, I wouldn’t mind.”

I sat next to him, leaving space for another person between us. I stared at the carpet, trying to think of something that might offer him comfort but coming up empty.

He surprised me by talking first. “She wanted to get to know you.”

I blinked, unsure I’d heard him right.

“Dad told us about you. Olivia felt bad about the way she treated you at Packmind, the day we met. She always said she wanted a sister.” A sad smile stretched his lips. “When we were little and we didn’t get along, she said it was because I was a boy. I always told her the real problem was the fact that she was a girl. We were planning on inviting you out, see if you wanted to get to know us, too.”

I swallowed thickly at a complete loss for words. I would’ve never suspected what he was saying. I always figured they would hate me. My eyes stung as I fought to keep my tears back. My emotions were unexpected. How could I feel so much for the loss of a sister I never knew?

When I got myself under control, I said, “I would’ve loved that.” I’d never considered the possibility, but my reaction to the idea was true and warm.

Marcus sniffled, took a deep breath, and shook himself. He squared his shoulders toward me and met my gaze. I shrank a bit, fearing an accusation from him.

“You saved my life,” he said, with no hint of condemnation in his expression. “When he aimed the gun at me, I froze. I know you just reacted, put yourself on the line to save me. I thank you for that.” He paused. “I wish it had been me, though, and not Olivia. She had a hunger for life like no one I’ve ever known.”

“I’m so sorry,” I said in a trembling voice.

“We knew what we were doing. Every time we go out there to fight, we know there’s a chance we may not return. She wouldn’t blame you. She would say it was meant to be. So... don’t beat yourself up about it, and I’ll try to do the same. Deal?”

Holding back tears, I nodded. “Deal.”

I was grateful to Marcus for his words, for his strength in the face of so much tragedy. What he’d said would make all the difference between pinning a batch of guilt on my chest and accepting that I’d done the right thing.

I hadn’t meant to condemn Olivia. I had only meant to save Marcus.