Page 2

ROWAN

Nearby voices wake me, filtering into dreams of magic and death. Reality hits the moment my eyes open. I’m in the Sawyers’ lodge. My neck hurts from where I slept awkwardly and, through bleary eyes, I see Leif sitting in a recliner opposite, snoring softly.

Violet insisted we follow the blood trail left by Grayson in order to catch him, but the guy moved fast so she shot off alone. Leif faintly picked up Dash’s scent too, but as he traveled in the opposite direction to Grayson’s, Violet chose to ignore him.

Dash is better off going alone from now on. I can’t figure out whether Violet would’ve killed him or not, or whether she’d hand him over to her parents.

Holly stumbled along beside me in a daze, refusing Leif’s offer to carry her, and we tramped through the patches of dewy grass in the cool morning until the trees thinned to where Violet paused long enough for us to catch up.

The lake.

Violet stood at the edge, the toes of her boots in the water, and she gazed across the lake, arms crossed, face stony. Vamps hate water, so it’s unlikely Grayson swam anywhere. Grayson’s scent had completely faded at this point, and we had no clue where to search.

We settled on somewhere to regroup and figure out our next move—somewhere close enough for a fading Holly to trudge to.

Kai told us his family never visits the lodge during the week, and although there’s a slight risk his mother might return, she rarely leaves the house before lunchtime, and it was barely seven a.m.

Once inside, I half-collapsed on the cool black leather sofa in the lodge’s open-plan family room and dropped into sleep, unable to keep going.

The last twelve hours of my life have been some of the worst and exhausting ever.

Now, I gaze around the lodge’s lounge area, expecting Violet to be nearby poring over the contents of the located suitcases, but her voice travels from in the kitchen along with Holly’s. What have I missed since I dozed off?

Violet stands stiffly, resting against the granite counter, hands behind her back, while Holly sits at a rustic pine table and stares across the gleaming kitchen, expression blank.

Oh, no . “Is she—” I begin.

“Holly isn’t affected by a spell,” interrupts Violet. “I’ve told her to sleep, but she won't.”

“I’m not tired,” she says weakly.

“That is a lie.” Violet looks at me. “I’ve explained to Holly that Viktor is dead, and she’s safe because his demise broke the spell, but Holly refuses to lie down and rest.”

“I’m safe?” Holly laughs. “How’s that possible?”

Violet’s jaw tightens, and I cross to hug her, but she remains rigid. Every action Violet chose today came from a deep need to keep Holly safe from Viktor, and although the witch died, Holly will always need protecting.

“How are you feeling?” I ask Holly, pulling out a heavy dining chair to sit opposite her.

Dull eyes meet mine. “Sick. Headache. My chest hurts again.” Holly rubs at a cheek. “My eyes bled.”

“Yeah.” I rub my lips. “But Violet’s right. Viktor died. The spell broke.”

“Violet won’t tell me where Dash is, or what happened to him. You tell me.”

Holly’s hardening look meets mine, but I glance at Violet in confusion. Is Holly still obsessed with Dash? Because if she is, another spell remains in her mind. But how? From a different witch?

“I felt it prudent not to explain to Holly the final events of this morning.”

I can’t help giving a short laugh. “You make it sound as if we attended a show.”

“Is Dash dead?” demands Holly. “Is that why you won't tell me? And where’s Grayson? Did he kill Dash? Or has Violet murdered him?”

“What? No. Dash shifted and ran,” I say in horror. “Why would Violet kill Dash?”

“Because Viktor told her she had to.” Holly glares at Violet. “I know you were planning to.”

Violet’s expression betrays nothing.

“Is that true?” I ask Violet.

“I’m attempting to ascertain whether a spell maintains Holly’s concern for Dashiell.”

Holly stares at me, eyes wide and brimming, as Violet swerves the question. “Dash is alive, Rowan?”

“Uh. I presume so.”

She swallows and tips her chin up as she regards Violet again.

“I’m not under a spell. Perhaps the way I behaved around Dash was a little strong, and that was a spell, but I care about him and his situation.

I know exactly how it feels to get mixed up in things I didn’t want to. Situations that threaten my life.”

“A little strong ?” Violet crosses her arms. “Tell me, if you saw Dashiell again, would you attempt to abscond with him? You informed me that he’s your only mate.”

“Mate?” I balk. “What? Does Holly have shifter blood?”

“Her sole mate—the only one. I’m confused as humans don’t have mates, unless you count their propensity to call each other ‘mate.’”

“Oh… soul mate, Violet. S.O.U.L. It’s a human concept that people are destined to meet because their souls match. Like a witch bond. Shifters. Kind of.”

Normally, Holly would chuckle at Violet’s mistake but she’s as flat as the day in the hospital bed.

“I said some dumb things, but I do know that Dash helped as much as he could. He risked a lot for me and doesn’t deserve this fate.

Rowan, please tell me what happened after Eloise arrived. Violet won’t.”

“Then I won’t either.” I offer Holly an apologetic smile, but she glares. “Sometimes it’s best if you don’t remember events.”

“Why? In case Dorian Blackwood messes with my mind?” she asks. “I am part of this now. Stop lying to me.”

Silence drops for a few moments before Violet speaks. “Dashiell killed Viktor. Grayson took his heart. Both of them ran. Eloise isn’t happy.”

Isn’t happy? Violet, the queen of understatements, strikes again.

“Because Eloise wanted Viktor to live?” There’s caution in Holly’s tone, and Violet nods curtly. “I’m confused.”

I’m not. Dash chose to save Holly’s life by risking his. Whatever the link is between the pair, Violet just pulled it tighter.

“Why confused?” asks Violet.

“Why are we here? Why didn’t Eloise take us? Where’s Viktor’s body?” She sighs as Violet clamps up. “Rowan?”

At least Holly doesn’t stand and run in a sudden, desperate need to find Dash, but her eyes glisten.

“I’m attempting to process what happened in a logical manner,” says Violet. “And to decide on an equally logical next step.”

Like finding Dash and Grayson as Eloise asked? I look at Violet pointedly. “Where’s Grayson? Is he here yet?”

“No communication or response to my attempts to contact him.” Curiously, she turns away to the sink, grabbing a glass from the drainer, which she fills with water before turning back. “Here.”

I frown at the glass she holds out. “What?”

“Don’t you want water?”

“Uh. No?”

“Coffee?”

“No.”

“How’s Leif?”

Talk about subject change… “Sleeping. Holly, listen to Violet and rest too. The upstairs rooms are damaged, but you could use the sofa.”

“Is that why the lodge smells weird?” she asks. “I came here once before, to a party, and the place smelled like roses, not burned wood and plastic.”

“There was a fire,” says Violet. “Obviously.”

Holly’s glare intensifies. “I will not let you speak to me like this anymore, Violet! I am not stupid, and you are not superior to me.”

I arch my brows but keep out of their exchange. “Are you hungry, Holly? I bet there’re snacks in a cupboard somewhere.”

“Good idea. Feed Holly,” Violet says and pulls herself away from the counter.

“I’m not a dog,” she retorts.

“Where are you going?” I ask as she stalks toward the door.

“Now that somebody else is conscious and can stay with Holly, I’ll look for the suitcases.”

Holly watches Violet leave, mouth parted. “Suitcases? Does that mean we’re leaving?” Her voice lowers. “Are we fugitives now?”

If only I knew the answer.

Although, I am amazed that Violet didn’t leave everyone and search for the suitcases the moment we arrived. Holly doesn't understand how important to Violet she is.