Marked By Pain (The Marked #2)(11)

“What about you, Locke? Anything to say?” I ask, ditching the quiet tone. I don’t give a fuck who hears what anymore.

“There’s nothing to say, Kenzie. The rebels are trying to make things better for our kind, we want to help in that,” he answers, but it sounds forced. I frown. There’s something not right here. They can’t all surely be brainwashed like this? What did Mr Daniels do to convince them all?

The sound of the door opening makes me turn my head. I stand up, knocking my chair back onto the floor as I gape at the figure making their way into the room.

No. This cannot be happening. Not her, she can’t be one of them, too.

She walks across the room until we are standing face to face, she gives me a small smile. I can’t help but feel stabbed in the back, and in the heart, both at once. I stare at my closest friend, the girl I grew up with, and I feel sick.

“Hey, bestie. Are you settling in okay?” Kelly asks. She reaches out and pulls me into a hug. I stand there numbly, just letting her hug me. I’m too shocked to resist. I look over her shoulder, spotting Ryan sauntering into the room.

What’s next, my mum and other dads show up too? I shiver at the thought.

“Are you cold?” she asks quietly. Coming to my senses, I pull away and look at her accusingly.

“How could you do this?”

“Ryan’s been asking me to join for a while now. Now that everyone’s here, I have no reason to say no,” she answers meekly.

“Your freaking parents are on the council!” I snap. “Have you lost your mind…have you all lost your minds? What the freaking hell is wrong with you all? The rebels are criminals, they want to kill or enslave the humans. You know I went to a human school as a kid, Kelly. You even hung out with some of my human friends with me. Do you really think they’re worth less than us? Who even are you anymore?” I question her, watching as she steps back from me, looking shocked at my outburst.

“Don’t talk to Kelly like that,” Ryan growls, walking over and wrapping an arm around her shoulders comfortingly.

“What about you then, Ry? You went to a human school too, had human friends? How can you look at yourself in the mirror?” I ask, glaring at him.

“Just because you got along with the humans doesn’t mean I did, Kennie. I never fit in with them, they knew there was something different about me, about our family. I once let slip about having more than one dad, and the humans, you wouldn’t believe how they reacted. As if anyone else’s relationship is their business, but to them, it was sick and wrong. They were awful; they don’t understand us or our way of life. They wouldn’t accept us for what we are if they knew, so why should we accept them?” he questions.

“You don’t know how the humans would react. Sure, maybe some of them would react badly. But there are good humans too, just like there are good and bad marked,” I say, trying to make him understand.

“Crowe, maybe save the family drama for another time. Ryan is supposed to be leading the training,” Enzo says in a bored tone.

“You cannot be serious.” I look at Enzo disbelievingly.

“Yes, I am, actually,” he says. He then gestures to the other two recruits in here. “They didn’t come here to listen to your drama or negativity, take your damn seat and let Ry get on with the training.”

“I can’t believe you, I can’t believe any of you…” I say, trailing off as I back away.

“Just sit down so we can get on with this,” Ryan says, in a calmer tone than before.

“Screw you, screw all of you!” I shout, turning away as I run to the door, I pull it open and rush out, running as fast away from the training room as I can.

I’m not sure where I am heading until I get there. I stand outside the building nervously, before entering. As I make my way inside the building, I’m surprised how nobody stops me. The guards standing outside of the steel door are watching me intently when I get to them.

“Give me five minutes, please?” I plead, they don’t answer, just ignore me. I feel like screaming.

“Let her in to see him,” Mr Daniels’ voice comes from behind me, making me jump.

“Are you sure, sir?” one of them asks, as he looks behind me nervously.

“Yes, I’m fucking sure. Don’t question me, Jacob,” he snaps. Jacob moves to the side, opening the door for me to enter. I rush in, not bothering to say thanks. After what he’s done, he doesn’t deserve it. Seeing East’s face, as he looks up at me, makes me feel like I’m home, and everything’s okay. He stands and pulls me tightly into his arms, and I cave, letting the tears fall from my eyes.

“It’s okay, Kenzie, it’ll be fine. We’ll find a way out of here,” he says soothingly, as he rubs my back.

Easton Black, the guy I’d fallen for when I was a kid, is the same person as he always was. Good, gorgeous, and he knows right from wrong. No matter who else has turned, East hasn’t. East is my refuge in this place, the only one I have left. I lift my head up, pressing my lips to his, and he holds me tighter as he returns the kiss.

East is still himself, and he’s still on my side. I repeat it in my head, like a comforting mantra over and over. The words make me feel safe. I pull away and take a seat on his sorry excuse for a bed, and he slides his hand in mine when he sits down next to me. He doesn’t say anything else, just holds on tightly. A silent show of support and comfort, knowing words couldn’t possibly make things better.