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I purse my lips, not loving the softness for him she seems to possess but realizing that she saw a different side of Marcellus. One I have never seen and suspect I never will. As much as I don’t understand it, I am grateful that she didn’t suffer at his hands. She’s here. Alive and in good health. It’s all I could’ve hoped for, and I won’t waste the time we have worrying about Marcellus.
Chapter Twenty-Four
I practically dragged Maggie up to my room, wanting to stow away behind closed doors, where nothing and nobody could interrupt us. We have a lot of catching up to do, and I hope she might be able to help me piece together what I’ve learned from the journals.
First, I needed to shower. I bask in the warmth that cascades over my body from the nozzle overhead. My fingers massage my scalp, creating a thick lather with the lavender shampoo that Julian had stocked for me.
If my sister weren’t in the next room, I would stay in here for hours, luxuriating in long overdue self-care. It’s taken a massive back seat for years, but there are still questions prickling the back of my mind.
The secrets she kept, especially surrounding the world of vampires and Law.
I finish getting all the soap out of my hair and shut off the water. I throw on my robe and twist the towel onto the top of my head, securing my wet locks in place. When I get into the room, Maggie is lying comfortably across my bed, eyes closed. Seeing her here safe and happy is something I should celebrate, but I can’t help the rising anger at all the secrets she kept.
“Start. Talking,” I say through gritted teeth, lasering Maggie with a look that demands she act.
She sits up, puzzled. “Talk about what?”
“You left me,” I stress, chest heaving from the intense emotions flowing through me.
“You know that’s not what happened, Marina.”
“Yeah? Well how about the part where you knew that vampires existed, and you kept me in the dark? Or how about you tell me why you were going to ditch me to run off with Law.”
She sighs. “The plan was always to get you out too, but things took a turn. We were out of time. The Council had come for us.” She allows the tears to flow. “Lawrence thought that if it appeared as though I were dead, the Council would leave you alone. Without three, there was no threat to the Council.”
“There were never three to begin with,” I point out. “Molly never survived, according to records.”
She nods. “I know, but that wasn’t going to stop them. We thought if we faked my death and Lawrence went home and faked grief it would do the trick. Law would’ve kept an eye on you to make sure the vampires retreated.”
“Yeah, well, I still ended up in the back of a damn van,” I grumble.
“It shouldn’t have been like that,” she cries. “Our plan would’ve worked if the Council hadn’t cornered me before Law arrived. I jumped to save you, Marina.”
I consider everything Maggie said. I don’t like it, but I’m starting to understand.
“You couldn’t tell me your plans, because it had to look real. I had to believe you were really dead in order for the vampires to buy it.”
“Yes,” she says, looking relieved.
It might not have panned out, but her heart and Law’s were in the right place. I would’ve done the same for her.
“You like him.” I say, and she frowns.
“Of course. He saved me in many ways.”
I shake my head. “Not like that, Maggie. You care for him. I can tell. You wouldn’t have blindly followed a man you didn’t have feelings for.”
A noise at the door has us both jolting upright. Law nearly falls into the room carrying a box full to the brim with God only knows what.
Maggie and I share a look. I’m sure she’s also wondering how much, if anything, he heard. I turn so that Law can’t see me and waggle my eyebrows. Maggie’s face turns scarlet.
Snickering, I turn back toward awkward Law still holding the cardboard container.
“Um, what’s in the box?” I ask, pointing to his arms.
“I thought maybe you ladies would like to have some girl time while I catch up on the goings-on in Seattle. I want an update on Shannon’s progress.”
“Shannon?” Maggie asks. “Our Shannon?” She looks to me for clarification and I nod solemnly. This news won’t be easy to break to Maggie.
