Mimi hovers over me. Her hands tremble.
“I’m going to kill you for hurting Jessica, and if your son is involved, I’m going to kill him, too,” I snarl. "She trusted you."
Tears fall from her eyes. I'm not buying it. She’s dead.
"I didn't have a choice," she whispers. "I needed to save my son."
“You could have come to me. You could have gone to Anders."
She shakes her head. "I tried to save her. It’s why I took her memories when she first came to the clinic. I thought it would save her if she couldn't remember what they did to her. Then, they forced me to kill her, but it didn’t work. Nothing I did worked, and I couldn’t explain to them why. They threatened to kill my son because they thought I was lying.”
Despite the numbness in my hands, I reach up to grab her by her smock, with cheerful colors and flowers.
"You fucking took her memories?!" I hiss.
She whimpers in fear. "It was the only way I knew how to protect her. The second time I did it was when she returned to the clinic after being missing for a few days. I was the first one to find her. I tried to convince her to go back, but she was too stubborn. Wherever she was taken, she learned about the Resistance and their plans to overthrow the Alpha King. She returned to save Anders, to save the Alpha King. She had no idea what they planned to do to her. I even tried to get her sentenced to prison for murder, to keep her out of harm’s way. But you made sure they found her innocent. I tried everything I could think of. Please, you have to believe me. My son cares about her. If he knew what I did… he wouldn’t understand that I did all of this for him, to keep his secret safe, to keep him alive.”
I search her face, looking for the lie. But I don’t find one. “He’s a magic wielder.”
“Yes. My mate found out about his abilities and mine and sold me to the Resistance. He never told them about Marty, but he threatens me every time I want to tell someone and ask for help.”
My hand loosens its grip. This is so fucked up, more so than I could imagine.
"Help me, and I will help you and your son."
She shakes her head. "It’s too late. I’m sorry. I’m truly sorry.” She raises both hands and places them on my head.
I fight and scream. My body thrashes, pushing against all the pain. Men join her to hold me down.
"I'm sorry,” she whispers again.
“No. Don’t,” I plead. "Don't take my memories of her. Please don’t take the love of my life away from me. Don’t change who I am. I’m begging you. Please!”
She secures her hands in place.
Toby, where are you? Please help me!
The last thing I see is Mimi's grief-stricken face.
Chapter 66
Another Goodbye
JESSICA
Six Years Ago
Anders retreats to his office. He won’t look at or talk to me. I know he blames me for the Resistance taking Shadow. I tried to convince him to let them take me instead, but no one wants to hear it. They can have me, if it means we rescue Shadow. It’s half past five, and we still don’t have a plan.
Darwin keeps an eye on Beaver’s laptop, but he hasn’t heard anything new since the video call. After being locked in my room for a couple of hours, that strange man, who was so disgusted with my scars, returned to inform me that the Leads want to prepare our group, just in case the Resistance comes to fight.
On our way to the gym, Marty walks toward us with a large bag over his shoulder.
“Where are you going?” I ask.
He stops in front of me and looks down at his shoes. “I resigned.”
“What?! Why? Marty, you’re one of the best guards we have. We need you.”
