The Marlow Novels & Stories

As if he’d peeled back a layer I didn’t even know was showing—all thanks to the tabloids The door slid open and Mara walked in. “Ma'am?” “Take care of this,” I said and gave her the flowers. She nodded. “Of course.” "I waited until she was gone, then reached into my purse for my phone and dialed Ruth’s number. She picked up. “Hello, bestie. What's up?” “Guess what just happened, Ruth.” “What?” “Tom Marlow was here. No, it wasn't the usual diplomatic visit. I knew he was up to something when he was sending all those flowers!”

Caleb stood at the doorway of the bathroom, his eyes were cold he stared down at Fidelia and Betty, who stood like stone in their places, beads of sweat starting to form on their foreheads. "Mr. Marlowe's pet is not for you to bully. His orders were clear." His voice was deep and commanding, making them flinch. Then, his gaze flicked between the two of them with judgment. "Both of you will have your legs broken and be sent to the underground casino."

Not that Tina was missing, I simply wanted to make sure that she was alive. Since Marlowe knew where Tina was, it meant that she was alive. Naturally, I didn’t feel like meddling too much in this matter. Marlowe had a cold smile, “Ha! How interesting. One day, I will make sure that you come crying to me!” He wiped the coffee stains on his face, his eyes had a crafty and cocky look to them. Hearing this, I felt goosebumps spread all over my skin. However, I didn’t stop and continue to walk away.

The guards nodded as I passed, and for once, I nodded back instead of merely acknowledging their presence. The safe house smelled different now, a lot less like concrete and weapons, more like flowers and wax and anticipation. More like a wedding, my wedding. I took the stairs two at a time, my excitement bubbling dangerously close to recklessness. That was when Marlo noticed. He was leaning against the railing near the lower hall, his arms crossed, his eyes sharp as ever. He lifted his head when he saw me and frowned slightly. “You look like you just survived an assassination attempt,” he said.

Marcelo gave Marvin a sideways glance and raised an eyebrow sardonically, as if to say that someone like him who resorted to such trickery would never understand the sanctity of marriage. Marvin understood the unspoken message perfectly, and he scoffed in indignation. This annoying bastard!

The old man with the violin tries to play in the evenings, but the strings break more often than they sound, and his haunted, hollow-eyed silence is almost worse than the music itself. Mara, returning from a foraging run, shakes snow from her coat and delivers the latest grim tally. “No roots left by the river. Nothing in the snare lines but old tracks and ice. Fen’s seen wolves—strangers—circling the far ridge, but they never come closer. Even the crows are gone.”

"Aria, I don't want you to die. Please..." Her crying made my chest ache. My previously resigned acceptance began to waver. But what choice did I have? "Violet, marrying the river god is the fate of every woman in our village. There's no escaping it." Our village was called Riverbend, built along the water's edge. Legend said an ancient river god dwelled in its depths. To ensure good weather and abundant harvests, every 15th of the month, the village selected a young woman, dressed her in red, and sent her into the river to consummate a union with the god. The village called this the offering.

Mara pulled it out. The scripture was not Emilia. It was Noah. Just one sentence. Short. Sure. If you go, I will understand. If you stay, I won't be let you think you're alone. Mara closed his eyes. The ship horned for a third time. The match trembled between her fingers. Then it fell into the sand. And she didn't stand up to lift it.