[This post is from Hecate’s point of view.]
Her fingers curled into fists against her knees, nails digging into the flesh of her palms. “I hate them,” Hecate continued. “I hate them so much.”
Marin pushed off the door, moving toward the chair near the bed, the one that Matt usually used when sitting up to read at night when he thought she was asleep and didn’t want to disturb her. Hecate watched her, pressing her lips tightly together, though only briefly. The tightness in Marin’s expression matched hers and Hecate felt a new ache deep inside.
This is my fault and we both know that it’s my fault.
“Those bastards came here looking for me,” she said softly. “And now Leviathan will come looking for me, too. This is my fault.”
Marin shook her head slightly as she sank down into the chair, shifting her sleeping newborn as she settled there. “They would have come anyway—Leviathan came here once already. We had the feeling he was bad news then. This is just confirming it.” She sounded tired. “We’re targets no matter what happens. Don’t feel like you brought this on us.”
Hecate stayed quiet, trying to gather thoughts that had once again begun to scatter. Marin’s voice drew her back again, quieting the riot starting inside her head.
“You don’t have to face any of this alone. I’m sure Matt’s told you that.”
“He has,” Hecate murmured, glancing toward him. He gave her a weak smile, one she matched, one corner of her mouth curling upwards briefly. “Though I know it’s hard for me to really believe it.”
“You’ve been through hell,” he murmured, leaning in to press a kiss to her forehead. “Trust is hard.”
“It would be hard even if I hadn’t been,” Hecate said, then exhaled a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. Her gaze drifted back to Marin and she chewed her lip, studying the other woman. “I owe you a lot of explanations.”
“Maybe one or two,” Marin said. “They can wait if you’re not ready to give them.”
Hecate looked down.
Am I ready?
Her heart was quiet. She was safe here, wasn’t she?
“I’ll tell you what I can,” she said at last, then smiled weakly.
Marin smiled back and nodded. “All right.”
Hecate closed her eyes, stealing another few seconds to gather her thoughts before she began.
“I was still a child when they took me from my home.”
