Page 26

LEIF

My admission to Violet about connecting to my shifter side constantly circles in my mind. I’ve suppressed the thoughts for weeks. Did I make a mistake in putting those ideas into words rather than leaving them buried?

The certainty I had when I shouted at Violet already slips, but I’ve spoken the desire into existence now.

Do I genuinely want to chase a part of me that I once ran from?

And how do I explain the situation to the others, especially Rowan, who’s gone out of his way to support my human self?

Grayson might not react at all because he’s deep in his own problems, and Holly. .. obviously she accepts shifters.

Violet? How long until she accepts and understands my compulsion to pursue the hidden shifter?

After speaking to Violet, I understand I don’t need to be more than human to stand beside her, but she can’t appreciate the whole picture.

This isn’t only about meeting her. My relationship with Violet added a new element to the confusing pull between shifter and human that’s grown in recent years.

Violet never cared that she doesn’t fit anywhere because she’s sure of her identity as a hybrid.

I’m not fully sure of myself, and that’s the issue.

Still, Violet’s worries mirror ones my own, which have stopped me from pursuing the idea until now.

Becoming less human could change the core of who I am.

And if it did, would that change what I mean to Violet?

Maybe the question isn’t whether I can do this, but that once I do, whether I’ll be the Leif she recognizes.

Who I recognize.

Since my support of Violet after Wes’s murder, I’m less popular amongst Darwin students than ever before. If my friends knew what I wanted to do, would they push me out altogether?

The academy placed humans on lockdown until after the so-called ‘Full Moon’ event, but they’re aware I’ve snuck away with Violet a couple of times. My roommate agreed not to tell others about how I’ve broken curfew—if I help Darwin’s investigations and report back on anything suspicious.

This includes Violet’s behavior.

Impossible. Telling Dane that I lurked outside a police station and watched a witch take a dead body—one I also watched die—isn’t an option. Neither is informing him that Violet’s currently at a funeral home searching for that body.

Hell, a lot of what I do in Violet’s company would land me square in the middle of trouble with the Darwin kids.

Violet, Rowan, and Grayson left an hour ago to visit the funeral home—in the dark.

Even the thought of that churns my stomach.

I can’t admit to my friends that I believe in ghosts, even though witches and vamps—and Violet—scoff at the idea.

I also can’t cope with another run in with supes, especially witches.

Logan rostered me to take part in tonight’s patrols.

I’d rather stay in my room and relax: to lose myself in a game of Fortnite, along with snacks and an energy drink or two; then I won’t have to think about shit.

But watching the humans is my investigative task for the evening.

At least joining their poorly disguised hunting trips keeps the peace with the other Darwin kids.

I keep quiet about this, but I’m dubious about the full moon rumors and whether they link to the sale of the fake talisman brooches.

Did the witches start the rumors for profit, and now Marci can’t erase the results?

Violet agrees but also thinks that there’s a chance this could go deeper, and tonight I’ll dig.

My patrol group consists of me, two guys and two girls—coincidentally those who saw Dashiell the evening Violet chased him unsuccessfully.

Has the group included me because I might attract something supernatural—or sneak off to help the ‘werewolf and lead them to it?’ Whatever, I’m sure the humans included the half-shifter tonight because they want to watch me.

Dressed in the same clothes as when we watched Viktor’s body smuggled from the police morgue, I wander through the Darwin halls after receiving a message from Cassie asking why I’m late. Seriously? It’s only eleven p.m., and we’ve hours before sunrise.

Holly approaches from the direction of the Darwin House entry, focused on her phone as she heads along the hallway. I wasn’t close with her before Violet’s involvement, but we’ve more in common than we once did, both affected by spells in the past—and possibly still.

If Viktor is the witch who used a tracking spell on me and he’s dead, I’m free of mine. If Viktor also cast a spell on Holly, she should be fine too. But Violet says Holly isn’t fine and became more volatile recently, including claiming she has a supernatural connection to Dash.

I understand that the trauma Holly suffered would affect her behavior, but if her responses to Dash are because the spell never broke, the spell with control over me could still exist too.

Holly almost bumps into me, and I steady her with a hand. “Hey, Holly. How’s things?”

She blinks and shoves the phone into her blazer pocket. “Leif. Hey. Good, thanks.” Holly sweeps a gaze over me. “Dressed in black. Meeting Violet?”

“No.”

“Oh. Does that mean she’ll be around campus this evening?” Holly’s brow pinches. “Is she with Rowan or Grayson?”

“Why? Were you hoping that Violet would spend some girl time with you?” I smile, but Holly doesn’t. “You sure everything’s okay?”

“Yes. Just wondering if my roommate will be back tonight.” She scratches a cheek and adds, “Violet disturbs me when she returns in the early hours, and I’m not sleeping well after… you know.”

“Right.”

“If Violet’s staying with Rowan or Grayson, I’ll go to Marci’s,” she continues. “I prefer not to be alone at night.”

Yet Holly looked disappointed when she thought Violet might be around. “I don’t think you’re in immediate danger, Holly.”

“Immediate?” She snorts a laugh. “I know, I’m safer at Thornwood, as you keep telling me. My parents agreed, so that’s one less issue, although I’m suspicious whether Dorian helped them agree.”

“And you don’t want to be at the academy? Have you changed your mind?”

“No!” She clears her throat. “No, I want to be at Thornwood.”

“Right.” But I see what Violet means—Holly isn’t her easygoing self.

“Have Logan and Cassie persuaded you to go on patrol?” she asks. “Is that why you’re incognito?”

“Mmm. Persuaded isn’t quite the right word. Although, I’m surprised. What with me being the traitor and everything.”

“Nobody thinks that, Leif.” She squeezes my arm. “Do you know where you’re searching tonight?”

I shrug. “Walking around campus in circles, probably. There’re still rumors about the ‘werewolf,’ even though nobody has seen one since... y’know.”

Holly sucks her lips together, and nods. “Yes. Well. I’ve homework to finish. I’ll stay in my room tonight and hope Violet isn’t back as late as the other night.” She pauses. “Do you think Violet will be back at Darwin soon?”

“No idea. She might stay with Rowan. I’m sure she’ll let you know and demand you spend the night with Marci or something. Keep you under supervision.”

“Okay, good.” Another Holly smile but forced. “Enjoy your walk around campus, Leif.”

“Thanks.” I pull a face. “I won’t.”

I’ve no chance to say anymore as Holly strides away toward the hallway with the girls’ rooms. The usual bounce isn’t in Holly’s step, and my heart goes out to her.

She doesn’t like Violet following her every move and, like the rest of us, worries about Dorian, but Holly insists she takes things day to day and won’t worry about the future.

That’s the old Holly, living in the moment, but however much she enjoys her return to the academy, does she feel unsafe without Violet around?

As I wander away, something strikes me. Holly first said she’d stay with Marci, and then that she’d stay in her room. A change of mind or something more?

Or me reading too much into the situation?