Marked By Pain (The Marked #2)(16)

“A toast,” he pauses as everyone picks up their glass. I watch his calculating eyes as they look around the table, pausing on how close Mr Daniels is to me and then back up to my eyes as he starts talking. Why do I feel like I'm a mouse in his trap?

“To our families, to changing this world for the better, and to Mackenzie. Who is the only one that can make all this happen,” he toasts and everyone drinks from their glass, as I lock eyes with my father and put my drink down. I'm not toasting to that.

“How can I make what happen?” I ask, and he chuckles.

“I will tell you what your twelfth power is, if you do something for me,” he offers, and I tilt my head to the side.

“What?” I ask, curious as to what he would want.

“You let my scientists and doctors examine you, test your powers.”

“No, that could be dangerous for Mackenzie and everyone here,” Mr Daniels snaps, his grip on my leg is borderline painful as it tightens on my knee.

“Would they hurt me?” I ask, curious to see him lie straight to my face once again.

“No, not at all. We just want to learn about you,” my father answers, keeping eye contact with me the whole time and ignoring Mr Daniels completely. He’s a good liar, I will give him that.

“Fine. One week of testing and you tell me what my twelfth power is,” I reply, and look over to see Mr Daniels giving me a look that suggests I should stop talking.

“I love how demanding you are, just like your mother,” he answers, not exactly agreeing with me.

“I want you to promise me, and don’t speak about my mother,” I snap and he laughs under his breath, leaning back in his seat.

“I promise to show you exactly what your twelfth power is in one week, Mackenzie. Now, we should eat,” he says, clapping his hands, and the door to the right is opened as people start carrying food in. They place the plates between us, with roast chicken and a mixture of vegetables. I pile some food on my plate at the same time everyone else does, and we all start eating in silence.

“So, it’s Enzo, correct?” my father asks.

“Yes,” Enzo replies, looking over at my father.

“I have brought Verity up, like a daughter if you will. I hope you will treat her right,” he says, making me tighten my grip on my fork.

“I was only invited for dinner, this isn’t a date,” Enzo replies coldly, and I hold back a smirk when Verity's face drops. “What a shame, I had such high hopes. With your eleven marks and Verity's ten, you'd be such a good match,” Alaric says. I look between Enzo and him curiously.

“What do you mean by that?” I ask, and he smiles thinly at me.

“Well, here we believe that those with more power should look to partner with someone else who has a similar level of power. To ensure a pure next generation for us all,” he explains plainly, and I feel my stomach twist. He can't be serious? Enzo coughs, looking severely uncomfortable, and Verity has a determined look on her face. I really don't like that look.

“That sounds... interesting,” I manage to force out. There's a moment of awkward silence.

“Well, this food is fantastic,” Mr Daniels says, breaking the silence. I turn my head to look at him, grateful for the subject change. It occurs to me how weird it is that I don't know his first name, and yet I feel so close to him. I squeeze his hand under the table, and make a mental note to ask next time I see him. It doesn't help that everyone either calls him Mr Daniels or just Daniels, meaning I haven't been able to catch it from anyone else either.

“Yes, it's delicious,” Verity says, and I turn my head in her direction. She's not looking at the food. I feel my hands clench, and Mr Daniels uncurls the one he's holding, and rubs the palm of my hand with his thumb soothingly. Looking down, I take a deep breath.

“Personally, I think it's a little tasteless,” Enzo remarks, making me look up. His dark eyes lock with mine, and I flash a grateful smile at him.

“Children, please play nicely,” Alaric remarks in a humorous tone.

“This is nice, I mean, nobody's been set on fire yet. That’s what you like to do when things don't go your way, isn't it, Kenzie? Just go around setting people on fire? Like a little toddler having a tantrum,” Verity says, narrowing her green eyes on me.

“Fuck you,” I say plainly, over this whole polite dinner pretence. I'm so done with this dinner, done with this whole damn day. I stand, pushing my chair back, and dropping Mr Daniels' hand. His sister is a freaking nightmare.

“Going somewhere, Mackenzie?” Alaric asks.

“Yes, I'm going anywhere that bitch isn't,” I snap, already walking out the room.

“Mackenzie, don't act so childish. Come back here and finish your dinner,” he calls after me.

“Go to hell, daddy-dearest,” I call over my shoulder sarcastically, leaving the room and that hellish dinner behind me. I walk quickly from the property, noticing all the guards along the perimeter wall, as I head back towards the main building where my room is located.

“Crowe, wait up!” Enzo's voice shouts from behind me. I turn to see him running in my direction.

“What are you doing here?” I question, slowing down slightly.

“I came to see if you were okay… and to escape the psycho bunny boiler, but mainly to make sure you're okay,” he says, flashing me a grin. I try not to return the smile, but fail.