“Touché,” the witch said and held out her hand.
Allie reached across the table and placed her palm in the witch’s upturned hand.
Helena began to chant quietly, not wanting to draw attention from the other customers in the diner. Allie felt her palm warm as the witch’s magic entered her body. She closed her eyes as a rush of images of her and Marc filled her mind.
“There! It's done. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I was just leaving.” Helena motioned for Marc to get the hell out of her way so she could leave, but Marc kept his ass planted in the booth until he knew for certain Allie was okay and her memories had been returned to her.
“You'll wait just a minute. I'll let you go when my mate tells me she's good. And only then.”
“My patience is running low with you bossy-ass shifters,” Helena snapped at him.
“Awesome! Because I've been ready to rip your throat out since I sat next to you. So, you can either chill out for a minute, or I can go home and change my clothes again because ripping your head off comes with a hella’ lotta blood.”
Helena zipped her mouth and waited patiently for Allie to nod that she was okay. Then and only then did Marc slide out of the booth and out of her way.
“I really hope to never see you all again. I truly mean that,” Helena said.
“Ditto,” Marc replied.
Sitting in the booth, Marc pulled Allie’s hand into his. “Are you okay, baby? Talk to me?” he said.
“I’m just taking it all in. All of the memories. I feel like I’m whole again. I remember everything that happened between us.”
“That’s great news!” Gerri cheered.
Allie should’ve been happy. In her mind, she knew that. But it wasn't just her memories of her and Marc that Helena had returned. Oh, no.
“What's the matter, babe?” Marc asked.
“Helena returned a lot more than just the memories of you and me together,” she said.
“Is that a bad thing?” he asked.
“Not at all, but it is more like a …I'm going to kill all of themthing.”
“Your parents? Clinton?” Marc asked. “I'm assuming you're remembering everything that happened while you were at their house.”
“Every. Single. Thing. The worst part is that I don't know how to make sure that this never happens again. How do I stop my parents from being the monsters they are?” she asked.
She would never have believed what her parents did to her without having her memories back. The true depravity of what they had done was astounding, even to her.
Allie had been lost in thought as the waitress approached their table. “Sorry, I didn't see y'all sitting here sooner. What can I get for ya?”
They rambled off their orders, and she quickly jotted them down. “I'll be right back with your drinks.”
“Thanks,” Gerri replied.
Allie didn't say much while they waited for their food to arrive. She listened to the back-and-forth conversation between Marc and Gerri. They were trying to plot ideas to put a stop to her parents’ evil ways. As far as Clinton went, she regretted not letting Marc kill him when they had the chance.
The only thing she knew for certain about him was that his entire personality was nothing more than an act, a facade. The things he had done to her and said to her that night at her parents’ house left her speechless. She had never once seen that vicious side of him in all their years of friendship.
It was amazing that he had managed to keep that part of himself so well hidden for so long. Not many people had the ability to hide themselves so completely from those they were close to.
She was thankful that Marc and Gerri kept each other company while they ate. She scarfed down her food, knowing she’d need the strength if she was going to confront her parents. And that was exactly what she had planned on doing. She just didn't know how she was going to get Marc and Gerri to agree to her plans.
Once they were finished eating, Allie cleared her throat. It was now or never. “I've come up with a plan to take down my parents for what they've been up to all these years.”
“I'm all ears, babe,” Marc said. “Tell me what needs to be done, and I'll gladly do it.”