I don’t bother with the fight. Dad’s lack of empathy is unnerving and expected. He’d keep me alive only for the sake of his reputation. Not for my happiness.
It ends unresolved for us. I’d hoped for more. I’d hoped for something along the lines of my family would love me and be there for me no matter what. But it’s never been that way.
I’m a fool for thinking otherwise.
Lacey and Colt leave the hunter at Dad’s feet and I cross to Grayson, taking his hand.
“Let’s go.”
His eyes search my face. “Are you sure?”
I nod. “I’m done with them.”
He laces our fingers tight until we burn together. “I’m so fucking proud of you.”
“The sooner we get the cure, the sooner we can get away from this place.” And never look back again.
Chapter
Twenty-Two
Part of me, the desperate and bleeding part, hopes Dad will come after me.
That he’ll finally realize how much I mean to him and come running to say he’s made a mistake.
I’m not surprised when nothing happens. He doesn’t even shout for me. There’s no sense of any hesitation on his part.
I bare my teeth and Grayson tightens his grip on my hand, that awful itch radiating along my arms to my fingertips.
Don’t lose it now.
His shoulder presses to mine and we slow our stride in tandem, the same song of madness sonorous between us.
The curse burns in my veins, simmers my blood, and a cry slips through my clenched teeth anyway. There’s no time to feel, or worry, or wish.
“I’ll do whatever you want to do, Mandi,” Grayson murmurs.
Colt and Lacey are a soft scrape of sound behind us as they drop the hunter at the gates to be someone else’s problem.
“It’s unrealistic to think this will all stop tonight.”
I bite my lip. “I know.”
“So are you sure this is what you want? To walk away from your family and cut ties?”
My body heaves with a sob and he pulls me into his embrace, hugging me tighter like he’ll somehow squeeze the sorrow loose. It only burrows deeper.
“I’m sure. I can’t stand with a person who is going to hurt innocent people.”
“You never listen. I told you that you don’t have to worry about me. You are not responsible.” Grayson’s voice cracks.
“I want to worry.”
“Why?”
“Because I care about you. And I want you to live. I want you to be happy, even if it’s not with me.”
The admission is sad, hopeless.