Page 163 of The Sea Witch's Son

“You were the distraction.” He breaks eye contact and stares at a spot above my head, “You weremydistraction. 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 stolenDragon 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, youwereusing 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.”

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