Page 23

GRAYSON

“How long do we have before someone finds us?” asks Leif as we huddle together in the library.

We’ve selected the desks in the area that has become ‘our spot.’ I stand nearby with Violet as Rowan sorts through the files he copied from the funeral home’s computer, with Leif beside him.

I brush the back of my fingers along Violet’s face, barely hearing what she’s saying.

I’m struggling to focus on anything but our night together, switching off from the memories as much as possible because the desire for her blood went into overdrive ever since.

Keeping physically distant helps me keep my hands off, but if we’re close, touching Violet becomes something out of my control.

I try to keep my mind anywhere but on Violet, but every time she moves, speaks, breathes, it’s like my body remembers exactly what I want—and her vow last night.

Neither of us mentioned the conversation this morning.

Was the vehement insistence that she’d turn me into a hybrid prompted by her emotional vulnerability at my safe return or something more?

We can’t go down that route. I want a future away from scrutiny in the supernatural world. She’d lock me into a state that’s the opposite to the quieter life I’ve craved. But there’s a problem? I crave Violet even more.

Violet pauses in whatever she’s saying to me but doesn’t remove my fingers. Man, how different she is to the girl who arrived at Thornwood with a wall around her as tall and solid as the ones around the academy.

I once jokingly thanked Rowan for triggering Violet’s gentler half, which pissed him off. He had a lot of personal shit to deal with after learning about her rejecting their bond. Violet only recently admitted these changes came from within herself.

“Violet,” I whisper, and take her hand before tugging her into a hidden place between the bookshelves.

Instantly, Violet pulls her fingers from mine and crosses her arms tightly against her chest in an all too familiar way. “Do not drag me out of sight in the expectation that I will return your ardor.”

I splutter a laugh at her archaic words. “Interesting that’s the first image that comes to your mind, Violet, and very presumptuous. Do you often imagine kissing me?”

Her lips part, the girl silent for a few seconds. “No.”

I’d accuse Violet of lying but don’t want to waste time arguing. I’d waste that time making out with her but, knowing the chances of that are less than zero, I merely smile.

“I wanted to talk to you alone about Leif.”

“Leif?”

“Violet, I understand you’re focused on Holly because you blame yourself and want to make sure she’s ‘fixed’, but Leif isn’t coping with anything that’s happening.” I nod in his direction. “I haven’t spent much time around Leif since I returned to the academy, but he’s quieter than before.”

“Leif isn’t a conversationalist, and I imagine he distrusts you considering the situation with your uncle.”

I close my eyes and take a calming breath.

“Maybe, but today at the funeral home, he was freaked out. He’s mortal and the place confronted him with death.

He’s terrified about what might happen to him once Dorian discovers the truth about Viktor’s death.

And there’s the issue with the spell. Is he really free from the influence on his mind? ”

Violet falls silent again and gazes at me, but through me, the way she does when disappearing into her own mind and reality.

“I am aware of Leif’s struggles.”

“But are you?” I ask gently.

“His decision to inebriate himself at a party. His reluctance to join us at the police station, and his behavior at the funeral home.” She blinks with each thought running through her mind.

“I do intend to speak to and reassure Leif, but you must understand how and why I’m focused on the forty-eight hours that Eloise gave us. ”

“Laser-focused on your plans, yeah.” I push her hair behind an ear. “Don’t force Leif to join us tonight.”

“Tonight?”

“Violet. Once Rowan discovers something from those files, you’ll act. If information confirm Viktor is still in the funeral home, I know exactly where you’re headed.” I can’t help but love how much I’m silencing Violet. “And if not, you’ll head to the Whitegroves.”

“I am ‘laser-focused’ to help him. To help you . The more evidence I have for Dorian before we admit our mistake, the easier he’ll be on us.”

This time the guys must hear my laugh. “You’ll need a bloody huge pile of evidence, Violet.”

“Which I shall find.”

“Yeah. Well. Give Leif a break from this shit. Even though he doesn’t want to go, Leif has a pull to be with you in dangerous situations. Ask him to stay at the academy tonight and check out what the human kids are up to instead.”

“You’re suggesting I give him a different task?”

“Not unusual behavior for you, Detective Blackwood.”

Violet’s bright blue eyes hold mine, and I swallow against the scent of her blood. Talk. Concentrate on something else .

“You’re astute when you wish to be, Grayson.”

“I spent weeks watching and listening before you arrived at Thornwood. I helped the witches escape Wes and his gang’s nighttime bullying. I’m clued up on people, and I know Leif well enough to see the obvious.”

“And you?”

“What about me?”

“Your uncle.”

I avert my eyes. “I can’t stay away forever.”

“Do you expect him to harm you again?”

“I’d expected your question to be ‘what will you tell him?’”

“I’m not concerned about that. As I said last night, my concern is about you.”

I can’t stand here and not touch Violet—it’s fucking impossible. Encircling Violet in my arms, I lean in to brush my lips against hers

“Seriously?” asks Leif. “We’re in the middle of this crap, and you decide to start making out?”

Violet springs from my arms and turns to where he stands at the edge of the shelves, face thunderous. “We were talking.”

Leif snorts. “I’m not blind.”

“No, but you’re not yourself.” She glances at me. “Are you worrying about the effects of the spell?”

“You do think the spell still exists!” Leif’s voice rises, and Violet moves closer in alarm. She wraps her arms as far around his waist as she can and his breath huffs from him as she squeezes him.

Leif’s eyes focus on the top of Violet’s head as he hugs her back, the two silent. After a few moments, she tiptoes and whispers something before withdrawing and heading back toward Rowan.

Taking advantage of Leif’s distraction, I edge past him to reach the other two before he directs any anger or annoyance at me.

Rowan rests back in his chair, eyes narrowed. “What’s happening?”

“Did you find something?” asks Violet.

“That’s what Leif headed over to tell you.” His eyes narrow further. “Again, what’s happening?”

“Nothing,” Leif mutters.

Shaking his head, Rowan turns a notepad toward us. “I’ve looked through all this year’s files and spreadsheets. Wesley Willis is listed along with the date he arrived, date and time of funeral, names of who traveled in what car for the cortege, etcetera.”

“Anybody unusual on Wesley’s records?” asks Violet.

“No. Only the people we saw at the church on the day.” Rowan taps the pad.

“There’re four people in the funeral home currently, and their burial or cremation plans are noted in the same way as Wes’s.

The deceased’s name, contact names, and other acronyms that I can’t figure out. No witches currently.”

“Wrong.” Violet takes the notepad. “I sensed a witch.”

“Well, there’s a pauper’s funeral.” She opens her mouth.

“A pauper’s funeral means nobody claimed the body, Violet.

The body arrived a couple of days ago. No family stepped forward, so the council will bury them cheaply.

That means the only names attached to this deceased’s records are a government organization. ”

“That’s sad,” says Leif flatly. “Imagine dying and nobody knows or cares.”

“Yes, but this is where it gets interesting. The planned cremation switched to an embalming. Records were updated this morning.”

“Viktor?” asks Violet. “They swapped the body?”

“Highly probable,” Rowan replies.

“And burned him already, I suppose,” says Violet blithely.

Rowan points at his screen. “There was a cremation this morning—we saw a couple of the family when we were with Cynthia. Violet might be right.”

“Perhaps Clement snuck the other man inside the coffin with today’s cremation?” I suggest.

“That’s disgusting behavior,” Leif retorts. “Disrespectful.”

Violet hands Rowan the notepad. “The change to embalming for a pauper’s funeral must look suspicious to William Morris.”

“I’m sure his father had an explanation,” I say.

“Or a threat,” says Rowan.

“Or money. That appears to motivate many individuals.” Violet’s delight isn’t appropriate, and Leif’s horrified look doesn’t leave. “Any note about what will happen to the embalmed body?”

“No, but you can bet the government department gets half the ashes from the cremation, and today’s mourners receive the other half,” says Rowan.

Leif stands. “I can’t deal with this. Give relatives the wrong ashes with somebody else mixed in them? How could anyone do such a disgusting thing? Clement Morris is supposedly a respected member of the community!”

“I wonder how they fit two people in one casket?” I ask. “Must’ve been a tight squeeze.”

Leif’s jaw slackens. “You’re as bad as Violet! This isn’t right.”

“Any information where the body will go after the embalming?” Violet asks.

“No. Blank entry under ‘address’.”

“And you think Viktor’s body is still at the funeral home?” asks Leif stiffly. “He hasn’t checked out?”

I chuckle. “The place isn’t a hotel, Leif.”

“Very funny,” he snaps. “You know what I’m asking.”

“There’s one way to find out,” says Violet with an all too familiar smile.

“Oh, crap, no.” Leif sits heavily on a seat. “This isn’t a game of hunt the body. What do you plan to do?”

“Wait discreetly. Again.” She taps the pad.

“Although Cornelius won’t want Viktor’s body loose in the world for long, he’s unlikely to cause suspicion by arriving to take him in the daytime.

The funeral director won’t want to risk a missing corpse on his premises for long, either.

Viktor is there. This time, we’ll intercept whoever arrives and discover Viktor’s planned final destination. ”

Violet flicks a look to Leif’s paling face.

“Leif. You’re disturbed by this.”

“I’ll cope,” he says flatly.

“I’d like you to stay at the academy and join the humans on one of their pointless hunts. Discover more about mysterious so-called ghosts and the full moon hysteria.”

“Oh. Okay.” His shoulders relax. “Yeah. Good idea.”

“And keep an eye on Holly,” she adds. “The girl is spending too much time with Marci, who’s threatened to persuade Holly to ‘reveal all’.”

I watch them all, questioning whether I should join Violet and Rowan or stay hidden on campus. Let’s just hope tonight doesn’t end with another body to deal with.