Marta smiled that the girls had spoken up. Inside she felt proud of herself. She had helped, and that meant something to her. Hopefully that would help them deal with their nightmares. She had to admit fire wasn’t what she had thought their nightmares had been about. She had heard about the fire at the Blackthorn mansion though, and Hayden’s words indicated that a Nox had been the cause of that. And the way these kids talked about Nox - well - it was how she felt about Ricky.
Nox and Ricky - similar - but so different. Nox was still out there, doing things. Ricky - he had given up everything. His home, his bar, his personal life. He had given it all up. For her. Sterling had mentioned Hayden and Nox sleeping together. Ricky never brought anyone home anymore. For awhile in Mexico there had been Mercedes, but since they had left - no one. He didn’t hunt anymore - at least not that she knew of. Ricky worried about her constantly, and it made Marta feel sad even as she felt grateful. She owed Ricky a debt she could never repay, and even if she tried, he would refuse it.
Marta wanted to tell him that it was okay. He could do things with other people. She had Elyse and now Sterling and the Blackthorn kids to spend time with and watch over her. Her support structure was stronger than ever. She’d be okay, but she wasn’t sure how to say it. He could have a life where he protected her, but also got to be himself.
Marta sat quietly, allowing the others to answer Hayden’s question about their feeling safe. She didn’t mind the exclusion at all, but despite her inner questions about Ricky, she smiled, still glad she was here, and still glad she had helped. She rested her head on Sterling’s shoulder and whispered, ”Nox has helped a lot of people, hasn’t he?”
Nox and Ricky - similar - but so different. Nox was still out there, doing things. Ricky - he had given up everything. His home, his bar, his personal life. He had given it all up. For her. Sterling had mentioned Hayden and Nox sleeping together. Ricky never brought anyone home anymore. For awhile in Mexico there had been Mercedes, but since they had left - no one. He didn’t hunt anymore - at least not that she knew of. Ricky worried about her constantly, and it made Marta feel sad even as she felt grateful. She owed Ricky a debt she could never repay, and even if she tried, he would refuse it.
Marta wanted to tell him that it was okay. He could do things with other people. She had Elyse and now Sterling and the Blackthorn kids to spend time with and watch over her. Her support structure was stronger than ever. She’d be okay, but she wasn’t sure how to say it. He could have a life where he protected her, but also got to be himself.
Marta sat quietly, allowing the others to answer Hayden’s question about their feeling safe. She didn’t mind the exclusion at all, but despite her inner questions about Ricky, she smiled, still glad she was here, and still glad she had helped. She rested her head on Sterling’s shoulder and whispered, ”Nox has helped a lot of people, hasn’t he?”