Page 102 of The Sea Witch's Son

“A darkshade of grey.” A smile flickers through the darkness, “But lighter than you wish to believe.”

“I doubt that.”

I’m watching him swim closer, trying not to stare at the muscles rippling under the water. He moves like a predator, all strength and stealth as that massive body comes to a stop in front of me.

“You, on the other hand, are much darker than people wish to believe.”

Water droplets cling to every inch of Marlin’s face. The tip of his eyelashes, the hard cut of his cheekbones, the soft texture of his lips.

All glistening and begging for my attention.

“I don’tknow what you mean.”

“I think you do.” He tilts his head, causing a droplet to slink down his neck, “I think you know exactly what I’m referring to.”

When I don’t respond, he slinks closer, sliding a hand through my hair.

“Why are you afraid to sing, little saint?”

He tilts my head back and stares at me.

My heart thunders in response.

“I miss my mother.”

“The line between hate and love is so very thin.” His eyes drop to my lips, “I wonder, was it love or hate you felt when you watched her body get dropped into the grave?"

The answer gets caught in my throat.

Marlin brushes my hair back from my face, touching me as if I’m a combination he’s about to break.

“After everything you did for her, she left you.”

Tears well up in my eyes, but they’re not from grief.

“She used to say let destiny take the wheel and everything will be fine.” My teeth snap together as rage sweeps through me, “As if destiny was going to be the one to save her.”

Marlin doesn’t look away when I start to crumble.

“She refused to do the chemo treatments.”

“All she had to do was lie thereand take the fucking drugs. But no, not Arielle St. James. She said if it was her time, it would be her time.” Tears splash on my cheeks, “She didn’t even try to fight. Not for herself and not for me.”

As much as I loved Arielle St. James, I hated her just as much.

For putting me through all that heartache just to take the easy way out.

For leaving me alone after all those times I never left her side.

Life wasn’t fair, and my mother made sure I got the short end of the stick.

“I told her I would never sing again.” My voice breaks as more tears spill over, “I told her I would bury my voice in the grave with her. That she had to stay or else she would take it from me.”

It was manipulative, trying to guilt my own mother into choosing life. It’s the most twisted kind of love, the most toxic kind of relationship a person could have.

“She owed you.”

Marlin states it simply.

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