Page 105 of Marked

I stare at her, exhausted and sick.

“I don’t know.”

“I swear, baby, I swear I didn’t choose you because I didn’t love you,” she sobs.

“When I started to remember, you should have come clean about everything.” I get to my feet.

She wipes her face. “Does she know you remembered everything?” she asks me.

“Laurens?” I ask. “Yeah, she knew. Right before I killed her.”

Mom blanches. “Harley.”

“Arthur, Jimmy, Vince, all of them are gone, Mom. No one’s left that can hurt you now.”

“Harley.” She reaches for me, but I pull away.

“I can’t,” I whisper, moving to Zack.

“You need me?” he asks, keeping his eyes on my mother.

“No.” I shake my head. “I think we’re done here.” I get the glass of wine Zack poured earlier and gulp it down. “We can go.”

“Harley. Please.”

“No.” I stop her from touching me. “I don’t want to believe that you’re a monster. I know you’re not like them, but I don’t know who you are, really. I can’t pick everything apart to find the full truth here.”

I grab Zack’s hand.

“I’m done with this,” I say and walk out of the kitchen.

Zack follows me through the living room and out the front door.

We walk down the steps, past the rose garden, to his car.

I climb into the passenger seat and wait for him to get in the driver’s side.

“You’re sure about this?” he asks as he turns the car on.

I grip my knees. “She had horrible decisions forced on her. She has to live every day remembering what she did, her part in all of this. And at the end of it, I grew up knowing she loved me. That’s the truth I know. It’s what I’m going to hold onto.”

“Truth is truth, Harley. You don’t have to choose to believe it, there is no choice.”

“I have you.” I look to him. “That’s another truth.”

He softens. “Yes. You do, little bird. You have me. Forever.”

“All right, then.” I smile. “Let’s fly away. Together.”

“Maybe they changed their minds.” Harley paces in front of the door. It’s cool today. The fall breeze runs right through my jacket.

“You should have worn a coat.” I rub her arms through her sweater.

“I’m fine,” she assures me, walking away and starting her pacing again.

“Are you nervous because we’ve been away for a while?” I question her. We’ve spent the last four months traveling. I’ve shown Harley every one of my five houses, and introduced her to those who will keep us safe during our hunts.

She didn’t hesitate when I explained she was welcome to join in my endeavors. Slaying monsters keeps her mind quiet.

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