Marked By Pain (The Marked #2)(34)

"When you started talking about Kelly staying with you," Mr Daniels answers plainly.

"Oh," I breathe.

"Mrs Curwood seems to be a very unfeeling woman. I was shocked when she was so unconcerned at Kelly taking part in the mission, but it's becoming less shocking, and more disheartening the more I hear about her," he admits.

"None of the Curwoods are very feeling-focused," I reply.

"Other than Kelly," Logan says.

"Other than Kelly," I echo in agreement. Kelly is one of the most empathic people I have ever met. I never understood how she came out the way she did, when her parents were as cold as they were to her growing up.

I picture her in my head, wishing more than ever she was here with us, returning to the academy. It's hard enough to worry about my brother, without having to worry about the friend I think of as a sister too.

"She'll be okay. Both of them will," Locke says reassuringly. I snuggle into his chest and don't reply, trying to push the worried thoughts from my mind and rest a little for the remainder of the journey.





Chapter 22





Mackenzie





“It feels like I haven't seen this place in forever. The last time I was here I had Kelly at my side,” I say quietly as we drive up to the academy. The old building looks like it could fall right off the cliff, and yet, it looks nothing like that inside. The typical Scottish cold and wet weather makes everything seem darker, even if it’s the middle of the day.

“She speaks, I wondered how long it would take. You haven’t said a word to me since I met you at the ferry,” Enzo says dryly. I kick the back of his seat, enjoying the shocked glare he turns to give me.

“My brother and best friend are still with that psychopath!” I shout at him, my earlier anger flaring again, but Locke puts his hand on my shoulder, grounding me.

“They are our friends as well, and we will get them back,” Locke reminds me.

“Enzo, was Ryan in that state when you got him out?” I ask.

“Do you really want the answer to that, Crowe?” he says, almost gently this time, his dry tone from before gone. It’s nothing like I'm used to hearing him speak to me.

“No, I don't, but I need to know,” I reply.

“Yes, he was,” he says, and I look away, as Mr Daniels parks the car in front of the academy. I wait for Locke to get out, before sliding out myself, and walking straight up the old steps to the cave entrance.

“Miss Crowe, it is a pleasure to see you again, and looking well,” Mr Lockhart says as he walks out the cave, making me stop in my tracks. I feel the twins stand next to me, and I watch as Mr Lockhart looks over at Mr Daniels.

“Mr Daniels, is everyone okay? Do the healers need to be called?” he asks, looking at our ripped and dust-covered clothes. Mr Daniels has blood on his shirt, not his own, but Mr Lockhart wouldn't know that.

“Not needed, but a meeting is,” he says, walking over to Mr Lockhart, who looks back at me.

“I will call Miss Curwood and some of the teachers. They are all that are here as the rest are part of the current attack.”

“Have they taken the base?”

“Yes, but it seems that there were escape vehicles we were not aware of, and many escaped, including Alaric, his son and Kelly Curwood,” Mr Lockhart says, and Locke wraps an arm around me as I try to think of something, anything else. We don't know where they are, so how the fuck can I help them now?

“Come in, come in. You must all be tired and need some rest,”

“I don't need to rest, what I need is to get to this meeting to plan a way to save my brother and best friend,” I say, stepping out of Locke's embrace, and walking up the steps to Mr Lockhart.

“I don't believe that's the best idea, Miss Crowe,” he disagrees.

“Let her, this is about her and her family after all,” Mr Daniels suggests, stepping closer and reaching down to link our hands together.

“Personal relationships between students and teachers are not allowed,” Mr Lockhart says, shaking his head.

“I'm no teacher and I've never really been one, now let's sort this meeting out,” he says, turning and pulling me with him into the caves.

“Kenzie?” I hear my name whispered around the corner of the cave, just before East appears. He runs to me as I let go of Mr Daniels.

“East,” I shout in relief, throwing my arms around his neck as he holds me close.

“Fuck, I've been so worried,” he says, pulling back so he can kiss me.

“I'm back,” I whisper against his lips and he grips me to his chest again. I turn my head to the side, opening my eyes to see Mr Daniels standing in the shadows, watching us. He smiles, before walking down deeper into the caves.



“What the hell is she doing here?” I say, glaring across the room at Stella who leans against the wall, watching me with a big smirk on her lipstick covered lips. We just left East, Enzo, and the twins in the cafeteria to come here for the emergency meeting they called. I look around the room, seeing most of the teachers I had, even if my classes feel like years ago already.

“Stella's parents are undercover with the rebels, they’re guards. She might have information for us,” Mr Daniels tells me. I try not to look at her as I take a seat on the massive table, and Mr Daniels sits down next to me.