Chapter 8. Our Love for Books

"Because if she truly was the one, he marked, she would have come forward long ago. Why hide something like that, only to come clean now?" Beth asked, rolling her eyes. "Everyone here wanted to be the one that he marked. Anyone would fake the mark to get what they want. Melody saw the opportunity and took it."

I shrugged, trying to keep my composure and not give too much of my thoughts away.

"Don't you suppose that William can tell the difference between his mark and a fake mark?" I asked.

Which made me wonder if her mark really was fake; or if he had marked us both.

She shrugged with a sigh.

"Who knows. But I don't believe her for a second," Beth murmured.

Mr. Carson turned towards the crowd; he looked tired from the day and a bit puzzled. It was obvious he wasn't expecting it to be Melody. None of us were. She worked closely with Mr. Carson, and he probably felt a little blindsided that she hid this from him.

"No use standing around