Page 20

LEIF

Whispers of murders and missing bodies fillthe academy halls this morning, and I’m anxious to hear Violet’s latest plan, especially if it’s one we’ll need to talk her out of.

We arrange to meet in the library, and I sit beside Rowan in our space between the musty, shelved books staring at the other reason Violet insisted on a meeting.

Grayson returned.

Vampires heal within hours from severe harm, so examining Grayson for injuries wouldn’t reveal anything about his last couple of days. I welcomed him with a guy hug—clap on the back, not too much contact—but Rowan kept his distance. Not unfriendly, but Rowan didn’t approach Grayson as he arrived.

The tension between Rowan and Grayson dropped in recent weeks, but we’re back to the strain between them from when Rowan believed Grayson killed Rory and Wes. Whatever Grayson told Violet or Rowan before I joined them isn’t good.

And Grayson isn’t great either. The cockiness that follows him everywhere is gone, replaced by something heavier.He sits on a desk with his feet on a chair as usual, his posture hunched. The vamp wears his uniform today to fit into the surroundings, but he’ll never blend in.

Personally, I’m glad he’s back, partly because Violet might choose less crazy and desperate plans in her pursuit of Viktor’s body. Grayson is safe. For now?

“Violet told me what happened, Grayson. Now explain to us why you were with Josef and he managed to force into your mind,” says Rowan abruptly.

I sit taller. “Josef?”

“Yeah. How the hell did that happen?” Rowan sinks back in the chair and crosses his arms. “Tell us everything, including why you never contacted Violet. That was a crappy move.”

“I didn’t have a phone,” he snaps back. “I was stuck.”

I pull on my lip, looking between Violet and Rowan as Grayson tells his story. Of course, Violet’s expression remains neutral, apart from the disgust that glimmers in her eyes at any mention of violence. Rowan’s expression remains inscrutable too, but I can guess what’s going through his mind.

“Josef wants you to help against Dorian by spying in exchange for his protection?” I ask, clarifying what sounds insane.

Graysongrips the desk. “Protection from Dorian, sure. But it’s more than that. Josef made it very clear what happens to me if I say no. But obviously, I won’t help him.”

“Which does not bode well for your future, Grayson.” Violet pauses. “Nothing about your future bodes well currently.”

“Yeah, thanks for the reminder,” Grayson says and stares at his shoes.

I can guess what Josef threatened Grayson with. An end of any future at all.

“And there was definitely a connection between Viktor and Josef?” asks Rowan. “He told you that?”

“Not a friendly connection.” He looks up. “After our… chat, Josef hinted that he knows more details about the other necromancers’ attacks and who’s using the shifters.”

“There has to be a connection between Cornelius and Josef too,” says Violet.

“Why would Josef tell you this?” Rowan’s eyes bore into him. “Why tell you information that can help Dorian against him?”

“He’s misdirecting to the witches,” says Violet. “Josef wants Dorian to focus on them and not him.”

“You don’t have names, Grayson,” continues Rowan. “He told you nothing but vague facts.”

“I will get names. I can work with Josef to dig deeper.”

“Work against Dorian?” Rowan chokes. “Oh, yeah, totally the right thing to do.”

“You think?” Violet frowns. “I’d think not. A rather risky decision.”

“No, I don’t think. That was sarcasm. Josef knows Grayson would double-cross him, and then Grayson’s running from death threats from two powerful men. Why would Grayson risk that?”

“Yeah. Last time Grayson betrayed Josef, he impaled him with a rebar into a warehouse wall.”

“Uh. Thanks again for the reminder, Leif,” Grayson mutters.

“Josef knows Grayson is involved in Viktor’s death, and that Dorian is now a threat to his nephew’s life. He believes that Grayson needs to side with his family to survive,” says Violet.

“Or, y’know, Josef might kill Grayson himself.”

“Currently, Josef is less likely to permanently end my life than Dorian, Rowan,” Grayson says stiffly. “He’s given me a chance.”

“How can you know?” I ask. “We’re still not sure how Dorian will react. You might be okay. Dorian might not behave as extremely as we think.”

Rowan scoffs a laugh, and I throw him a dirty look, but Violet’s silence unnerves me.

“I’m a Petrescu. And my relationship with Violet threatens Dorian. We all know he’s looking for an excuse to end the Petrescu bloodline.”

“Let me get this straight,” says Rowan. “You’re admitting that you’re here to spy on us and return to Josef with information.”

“ Mis information,” says Violet when Grayson falls quiet.

“You can’t guarantee Grayson will lie!” Rowan protests. “People do odd things if their lives are threatened. They become loyal only to themselves.”

Grayson’s expression darkens and he opens his mouth, but Violet interrupts again.

“You’re of the opinion that Grayson would betray us? His uncle killed him once, Rowan. This way, Grayson—we—can get information about Josef’s connections. Find the witches who Viktor worked with and the Cornelius connection. Take them all down.”

Okay, I was wrong on the less crazy plans.

“No, Violet. This adds more danger to us all. We choose a different plan. Grayson, please don’t go back to Josef,” I say.

“The time to avoid danger passed long ago,” replies Violet.

Grayson rubs his temples, staring back at his shoes. “I’ve no choice. Josef has a knack for finding me.”

“Mmm. Especially if you go to his place ,” Rowan says snidely. “Why go to the cottage if you want to avoid him?”

“Because I couldn’t think of anywhere else to go close by, and I panicked.

For all I knew, people were following me that morning after Viktor died!

You don’t have the same worries as me; you can’t understand the situation I’m in.

How was I to know Eloise wouldn’t go straight to Dorian and tell him what I did?

” Violet places a hand over Grayson’s and squeezes.

“In hindsight, going to the cottage was a dumb move, but tell me one other place nearby that Dorian might not be aware of.”

Rowan tightens his mouth. “Yeah, okay. But what else have you told Josef apart from Viktor’s death?”

“I’ve told you everything, Rowan. Josef Petrescu passed on information to me too. He knows who Viktor is. Josef’s reason for protecting the Sawyers links has to link to the Whitegroves.”

“Yes. If Josef knew Viktor existed under a different identity, we must presume Josef knows the full story about the murders,” adds Violet.

I frown. “Murd ers ?”

“Sarah Sawyer’s brother. Viktor said he’s ‘in the same place’ as Madison. Madison is dead, ergo so is Sarah’s brother, Robert.”

Rowan waves a hand. “I’m not convinced. Josef wouldn’t tell you all this without a reason, Grayson. The Petrescu is a sneaky bastard.”

Does Violet catch the same undertone as I do— because that’s a Petrescu trait ?

“Violet’s theory makes sense,” I hastily interrupt. “Josef wants to misdirect Dorian. Get him to focus on the necromancers.”

“With Grayson’s new information, we’ve a number of leads to follow in order to connect the dots.” Violet smiles. “I’m creating another investigative wall in my room. I’ll make those connections soon.”

Rowan groans. “That the academy spy will see?”

“Nobody will enter the room and leave without my magic marking them. Anybody who walks into that space will leave with the trace of a Blackwood protection spell on their person.”

“And what are your next plans?” I ask cautiously.

She taps the table. “I wish to visit the funeral home straightway—before anybody else gets a hold of us.”

“The detectives or Dorian?” asks Rowan.

“Both. And with luck, we will locate Viktor’s body. He may be embalmed today and Cornelius will move him tonight.”

“Uh. Violet. Didn’t we decide to leave his body alone?”

Her captivating blue eyes meet mine. “I don’t intend to touch Viktor.”

Rowan half-laughs. “Sure you don’t.”

Oh, great. No way am I keen to visit a funeral home. But I also don’t want to be on campus if Dorian or the detectives might show up at any moment. I’m waiting for Dorian to stride in, grab me by the scruff of the neck, and drag me god knows where for god knows what treatment.

Rowan told me what happened last night—what if Violet subjects the funeral director to the same aggression? I bloody hope Grayson’s return calmed her down.

And Josef? The bastard likes to drip feed information. I can’t accept that he believes Grayson would turn away from us and work for him.

But Rowan doubts Grayson, and that’s a problem.