CHAPTER 16
Anita spent the next couple of weeks building her strength both physically and mentally, going for long walks with Cleo and spending hours meditating in the garden. However, she refused to see either Marcus or Alexander until she was feeling more like herself and had had time to think about what to do.
She’d told Cleo everything; how Helena had approached her asking for help and that Helena had known about Anita’s parents all along. She thought Cleo deserved to know after everything she’d been through. Anita had expected Cleo to react badly, to tell her that she was stupid to have gone along with someone as dubious as Helena without really knowing what she was getting herself into, but she didn’t. Cleo had said she totally understood. She’d said Anita was the kind of person who felt the need to act if everyone else was shying away from action and as Helena had offered her a way to do that, it wasn’t surprising that Anita had taken the bait. Cleo said if it’d been her, she wouldn’t have turned Helena down the first time; she would’ve bitten off Helena’s right arm to have found out information about her parents. Furthermore, when Anita was beating herself up for having believed Helena’s story, Cleo told her that everyone makes mistakes, that nobody’s perfect, and that as far as ruses went, Helena’s was pretty believable, so she shouldn’t be so hard on herself.
After a couple of weeks, Anita started to feel more like herself again and decided she was ready to start letting people back into her life. The time was fading the scars, Anita was starting to forgive herself, and she turned her attention to what she should do about Marcus and Alexander. They both still came to visit every morning, having settled into a routine of who arrived when, so as to avoid being there together. Cordelia turned them away every time without fail, saying that Anita would let them know when she was ready to see them. She’d had a couple of near misses, where one of them had altered their visiting time for some reason or other, and once Anita had had to duck behind a tree to make sure that Alexander didn’t see her. Of course he would have felt her energy and known she was there, however he’d respected her wishes, continuing into the house to see Cordelia as normal, returning, again without stopping, a couple of minutes later.
After a great deal of consideration, Anita decided it would be best to see Marcus first. She was supposed to be his girlfriend after all, he’d been the one to rescue her, and although he didn’t know it, she had deceived him. She owed him at least that much.
The following morning, Anita sat in the garden at Marcus’ normal visiting time, on a bench near her usual yoga spot, and waited for him to arrive. She heard and felt him before she saw him and steeled herself as the sound of his footsteps disappeared onto the grass. As he rounded the corner of the cottage, he saw Anita and stopped dead, blinking a couple of times to make sure his mind wasn’t playing tricks on him. When he was sure it was really her, he flew across the lawn to where she sat and dropped to his knees in front of her, hugging her around the waist and pulling her head to his shoulder.
‘Anita, thank the Gods you’re alright. I’m so, so sorry. How are you feeling?’ he garbled into her hair, still not totally convinced this wasn’t some cruel mirage.
She pulled back and smiled at him, running her hand down the side of his face. ‘Marcus, this wasn’t your fault. It was mine. I should’ve respected that you took me to a place of great importance to your family and should’ve known not to pry. I was extremely privileged that you showed me the picture; if anyone should be sorry, it should be me.’ Tears of guilty regret welled up in Anita’s eyes before they burst free and trickled down her pale cheeks.
Marcus couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Austin had locked her up and tortured her when she’d done nothing wrong, and she was sorry? He moved to sit next to her, pulling her into his arms, softly stroking her hair, willing her to come to her senses. ‘Anita, please don’t blame yourself. Dad’s reaction was crazy, it was unforgiveable. I’m just happy you’re still able to stand the sight of me.’ His kindness caused the tears to flow vigorously and she pulled herself closer to his chest, Marcus wrapping his arms more tightly around her, bowing his head forward to kiss the top of her head. The flow of her tears finally abated and Marcus helped Anita up, taking her inside. He made them a pot of tea and sat them down on the old, worn sofa next to the fire, Anita cuddling up to him and Marcus gently calming her, stroking her hair. They talked intermittently, sitting for periods in silence, just enjoying the contact with the other, until Marcus told her quietly that he had to leave. She sat up and kissed him, his lips soft and comforting. She felt protected with him there; she didn’t want him to go.
‘Can’t you stay?’ she asked, willing his answer to be yes, her forehead furrowed with distress. ‘Just for a little bit longer.’
Marcus faltered, his heart breaking at the prospect of leaving her, but he really had to go, he’d be late as it was. ‘I’ve got to go, but I’ll be back as soon as I’m done, I promise.’
‘Where’re you going?’ she asked, hoping to find some logical argument as to why he didn’t really have to leave her.
He hesitated, fighting a battle over what to tell her, but reasoning lies had no place in their relationship, especially at the moment, and she’d find out eventually one way or another. ‘I’m going to meet dad,’ he said sheepishly.
‘What?’ Anita breathed, her mind muddled at his words, her body sending a shot of adrenaline through her veins, her heart starting to race.
He looked guilty and embarrassed, but continued honestly. ‘Since I blackmailed dad to make him release you, he’s developed a new found respect for me. He’s starting to get me more involved with his business activities and Amber even has to take orders from me now. The relationship is far from a good one with both of them, but I’m learning so much that’ll be invaluable when I’m a ruling Descendant.’
The little colour she’d had drained from Anita’s face. She felt like she was in some kind of nightmare. After everything Austin had done, how could Marcus be working with him? How could Marcus be closer to him now than he had been before? She felt cold and started to shake, Marcus trying to pull her back towards him, but she pushed him away. She felt numb, just wanting him to go. Whereas moments before she’d felt safe in his embrace, now she was scared. ‘I’ll see you later,’ she said, pulling her knees up to her chest, clearly indicating it was time for him to leave.
Marcus looked hurt. He wanted to say something to justify what he was doing, but he really had to go; Austin didn’t take kindly to having to wait around for anyone. He’d explain everything to her later, even if he couldn’t tell her what Austin had been getting him involved with. ‘Ok,’ he said, resigned. ‘I’ll see you later. I’ll be back as soon as I can.’ She nodded and he placed a soft kiss on her lips but she barely responded, she was like a different person from the girl who’d kissed him just moments before. He got up and made for the door. She’d come round with some more time, he hoped, as he left the room, Anita’s energy plummeting as he went.
As soon as Marcus left, Anita got up and headed for the door. She needed to get out and do some exercise. She needed some space to think. She started to run as soon as she left the house, not thinking about where she was going, ignoring the dull pain in her chest. She couldn’t believe it; was he choosing Austin over her? After everything they’d been though? After she’d been beaten to within an inch of her life?
Anita halted abruptly as she realised she’d run to the Temples, the ancient buildings climbing majestically into the sky ahead. She ran straight past the Temple of the Body and headed to the Spirit Temple instead, feeling like meditation may help her. She settled down at the back of the Temple, in the place she and Alexander used to meditate, and closed her eyes.
When she returned, she felt calmer and more composed. The news from Marcus had taken her by surprise, but when she thought about it, it would be both difficult and dangerous for Marcus to cut all ties with Austin straight away. Maybe he
hated his father too and was stepping closer to him only because it would work to his advantage in the long run? Or maybe he was just doing it to make sure Austin didn’t come after her again? She’d overreacted to the news as it had taken her by surprise. She’d never, even for a second, entertained the thought that Marcus would go back to work with Austin; she hadn’t really even entertained the thought that they’d speak again. She’d thought they might have a similar relationship to that of Austin and Amelia, with them avoiding each other. But she should at least give Marcus a chance to explain what was going on before jumping to judgements.
Anita was about to get up to go back to Cordelia’s, when she felt Alexander’s powerful energy enter the Temple. She closed her eyes and pretended to meditate, not ready to see him yet, especially as she was so confused about Marcus. Alexander saw Anita and paused, leaning against a pillar and watching her rise and fall as she breathed long, slow breaths. He toyed with the idea of going and sitting down opposite her, joining her meditation, but aside from that being a total invasion of her privacy, he knew he had to respect her wishes; she’d talk to him when she was ready.
He made his way quietly to the Temple’s centre and descended into his chambers, Anita watching his graceful, flowing movements as he went. She had such strong feelings for him, but after what she’d put Marcus through, it wouldn’t be fair to push him away now, especially now he seemed so vulnerable to his father’s influence.