Page 160 of Eternal Craving

“A son always knows his father.”

The homes had gone from small shacks to luxurious residences in a matter of minutes. The tower of London loomed large in the distance.

“Sunaria’s not happy that we’re living with you, is she?” Marcus watched my reaction.

“She’ll get over it.” I avoided his gaze.

Our carriage swerved to miss a small, black dog. The animal yelped at the near miss and bolted down a back alley, and the horseman quickly regained control of our spooked horses.

“You didn’t even flinch.” Marcus still clutched the seat.

“What’s the worst that can happen?”

“Do you really believe we’re immortal?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“So how old are you?”

“Thirty.”

“How long have you been…thirty?”

“About six years.”

“I’m not half as impressed now.” He smiled.

I focused on the pedestrians, and tried to extract a thought, or some sense of who they were before they disappeared from sight. My mind braved revisiting a disturbing memory, one that I’d buried deep, but now felt compelled to reveal to Marcus. A monstrous recollection that I hoped he could cope with as I now disclosed it to him.

Marcus’ smile faded as he picked up on my ruminations.

“You drank from Lilly and...” He sank back in his seat, devastated.

“I assumed if I told you in a speeding carriage, you wouldn’t jump out, and you’d have no choice but to hear my side.”

“Delacroix forced you to do it?”

I nodded. “Still, I deserve your hatred.”

He reached forward and rested his hand on my knee, and in that moment, we shared something unexpected, a mutual understanding that went beyond the physical.

He looked away, embarrassed that he’d revealed such affection. “I still can’t quite believe that we can avoid...”

“Death’s sting.” I tilted my head and smiled at him. “The Stone Masters believe that we can reform from ash.”

Marcus stared at me wide-eyed.

“Outlandish, I know,” I said.

Marcus looked out of the window again.

I followed his gaze. “The self-discovery seems unending.”

“Will God ever forgive us?”

“Likely you more than me.”

“You didn’t choose this life?”