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GRAYSON

How much influence does Violet have over her father to prevent him from losing his shit in a murderous way? I’m more than hoping our new evidence is enough to balance out the mistake, and I’ll do whatever it takes to help.

Although the others know that I’ve agreed to trade information with my uncle, the thought of a meeting him scares the crap out of me.

Violet’s earlier words won’t leave my head—either way, nothing bodes well about my future.

Even Violet’s insistence that she won’t let anybody kill me is Russian roulette.

Dorian could be telling the truth, and Violet’s blood would end me anyway, just in a more agonizing way.

And if he’s lying, and Violet creates a hybrid Petrescu, Dorian would literally hunt me to the ends of the Earth for the rest of my life.

And if anybody can figure out how to kill a hybrid, Dorian will be the one who does.

If I hadn’t met Violet, what would Josef have molded me into? I’ve struggled with the family name and the dark legacy that’s part of my blood and soul for as long as I can remember. Was the so-called desensitization before Violet arrived a starting point for a bigger future Josef planned for me?

My parents must know what Josef did to me in the past even if they’re unaware of what’s happening now. I don’t know what leverage Josef has over my father, but he hasn’t interfered in my uncle’s actions once.

One thing’s sure: my father is Petrescu, and he’ll support Josef’s side against the Blackwood government. But how much does he know? My uncle won’t risk including many in his secret circle aiming to bring down Dorian and the rest of his family.

At first, I couldn’t understand Josef’s motivation behind this trading information situation, because Josef knows I’ll tell my friends everything. If Josef thinks I’ll sell out Violet, he’s crazy, which is the problem: Josef isn’t. He’s meticulous. Clever.

But I’ve figured part of this out. Currently, my relationship with Violet gives Josef an advantage—her connection to the investigations offers a way to track his other opponents’ movements.

Josef wants the witches taken down because they’re rivals, and I’m the key to doing so.

I haven’t worked out the exact connection between Cornelius and Josef. Is Cornelius an opponent because he’s working with the rival necromancer group? Or does Cornelius hold information about my uncle that he wants erasing?

The last time Josef demanded I meet him, we were in the thick of the ‘Viktor’s body’ situation and I put him off—told Josef to wait until I had a full story for him.

Now that Dorian has Violet, she’ll admit to my role in Viktor’s death, I’ll lie low until she tells me the outcome.

This gives me the perfect opportunity to catch up with my uncle at my favorite place.

Ha.

Josef’s decision to meet at the cottage confuses me—somebody must know about the place. It’s impossible to hide much from Dorian at all, especially as he’s tracking my uncle after their confrontation at Kai’s party. Have Dorian’s people already looked for Josef here? Will they return?

Whatever. I’m not staying at the place once we’ve finished this catch-up. I’m not safe alone for long, whoever I’m with or wherever I am.

In an eerie re-run of the time that I hid here after tossing Viktor’s heart into the lake, I walk into the musty house. Taking a calming breath, I wander from room to room, lost in thoughts of Violet in order to push out the mental re-runs of what happened to me in this place.

I can usually suppress the memories of torture, but every time I’m here they play out in flashes I can’t stop. Even my body remembers, air disappearing from my lungs as I subconsciously rub at my once-sliced arms.

Each room adds more reminders, so I sit in an armchair stained with my blood, facing the doorway into the lounge, but close enough to the window to leave quickly.

Josef’s tactics may’ve changed recently, but he’s unpredictable.

My mouth parches again. I might hide some secrets, but I won’t need to fake my fear of Josef.

With my feet on the low table covered in stained coffee cup rings from the old human owners, I run through how I’ll steer the meeting.

What are my chances with Dorian if I’m successful in proving a link between Josef and Cornelius?

Will he finally drop the ‘Josef and Grayson are working together’ rhetoric?

Who are these others?

Josef is a loner, and even his heavies haven’t accompanied him recently.

Is their disappearance Dorian’s or Josef’s work?

My uncle doesn’t have a significant other that I know about.

Again, is that Dorian’s work or Josef’s preference?

Hell, I wouldn’t put it past Josef to kill someone he loves if he felt it necessary or they betrayed him.

Someone he loves? Josef would only engage in partnerships for his own benefits, and he’s devoid of any positive emotions.

I don’t hear or sense my uncle before he arrives.

I never do.

Josef wanders casually into the room, dressed in black slacks and a blue polo shirt: a look at odds with the man I know.

I guess he doesn’t need the suit required for his role as a lawyer, since he’s unable to work while Dorian watches.

But even if Josef isn’t publicly integrating with the world, he’ll use his influence everywhere he can.

Josef pauses at his favorite place, leaning against the stone fireplace above the empty hearth, hands in his pockets. I sit stiffly, my own hands bunched on my lap.

He studies me in his usual expressionless way. “Good afternoon, Grayson. I received your message. You finally have something you’d like to say to me?”

Yeah, plenty that’d earn me a smack in the face.

“You’re no longer ‘waiting’ in order to avoid our meetings?” he continues. “Because I’ve waited long enough.”

Acid builds in my stomach. “Like I said last time you asked, there was no point in meeting with you until I had something to share.”

“And?”

“Now I do.”

Josef slants his head. “About the missing body and the Blackwood’s connection? You generously shared everything you knew about Viktor’s demise at our last meeting, and I’m happy you’re willing to share more without me withdrawing the information.”

By tearing me and my mind apart? I hate this man. Loathe him with every ounce of my being. Josef must sense that deep-seated reaction I have to him every time we’re together, not just my fear.

“Whatever I tell you, I’ll leave the place bloodied.”

“Tk, tsk, Grayson. I thought we had a new understanding?”

“Understanding?” I give a hollow laugh. “I cooperate or you kill me permanently?” Josef responds with a tight smile. “I’ve agreed to help, but if you plan to hurt Violet, I’ll intervene and take the consequences.”

“And I told you, I don’t wish to hurt the girl. I have other plans.”

“Still trying to frame her for murder?”

“Please, Grayson. That is a pathetic technique, and not one I’ve used, nor do I intend to. It should be clear to you by now that the witches oversee that plot.” His smile broadens. “One that will fail very soon.”

Unaware of what the hell that means, I stare at the wall, coiled and ready to run if I need to.

“By the way, if this is an attempt at a trap, you’re certainly lacking in intelligence.”

“A trap?” I scoff. “No. I’m hiding from Dorian.”

“A direct threat?” Josef chuckles. “The man knows about Viktor’s death and your role?”

“If he doesn’t, he soon will since Violet is sharing that information with Dorian today. So, yeah. He’ll use that as an excuse to kill me.”

“And you’re hiding because Dorian’s daughter can’t stop him from harming you? You must be low down on her list of lovers.” Josef sneers.

“Violet is a Blackwood. She looks out for herself first and foremost. I’m causing problems; she’s pushed me away.” I grit my teeth at the lie. “She doesn’t know I’m here.”

Disbelief flashes across Josef’s expression before he waves a hand. “You know I can’t stay in one place for long. Let me start—where is Viktor’s body?”

“Cornelius has him.”

“How?” Josef stiffens. “Where?”

“Violet tipped him off.”

“She spoke to Cornelius?” Josef’s eyes go wide.

“Yeah. Violet told Whitegrove that Viktor died and where to find the body. Cornelius took Viktor from the town morgue and then to a human funeral home before the authorities could identify him as a Whitegrove.” I drag a hand through my hair.

“Then Cornelius moved the body a second time but we’re not sure to where. ”

Josef’s laugh startles me. “How endearing and remarkably stupid that Cornelius didn’t dispose of the evidence of his wrongdoings. The man went to such pains to disguise his son’s past existence, yet left his body lying around a human funeral home?”

“Rowan told us Whitegrove would embalm Viktor’s body and needed someone discreet. Y’know, like a blackmailed or greedy human.” I look up. “You know the witch superstition about embalming.”

“Yes. But you’re telling me that Cornelius now has Viktor’s embalmed body hidden?” Josef’s brow furrows. “Why would Violet instigate such a situation and allow this disappearance to happen? None of this assists her cause.”

I frown too. “You know why. Violet wants evidence that Cornelius worked with Viktor—or at least knows something. Then she’ll give that information to Dorian and hope it helps calm him down. If that’s even possible.”

Josef taps the fireplace mantle. “Then I must presume Cornelius placed Viktor in the Whitegrove mausoleum. Where’s this mausoleum? That must be the first place Violet plans to look.”

“Yeah. Already did. Viktor’s body isn’t in there. There’s evidence of necromancy against Cornelius, though.”

“What ‘evidence?’ In the mausoleum?” he presses. “What did you see?”

“I’m not a hundred percent sure. I waited outside. Someone cleared the place out, but Rowan and Violet found signs of necromancy using shifters as constructs.”

“What signs? Are you telling me Cornelius moved his son elsewhere? Where?”

I sink back and drag a hand down my face. “Josef. We don’t know. I’m telling you what I can.”

“What if your friends lied about the contents of the mausoleum?” Josef’s voice rises. “They know about our little arrangement. They may not tell you everything, aware you’ll pass the information to me. Viktor could be inside.”

“It’s the truth. Violet trusts me.”

“But do they all trust you, Grayson? One of the others could influence her.”

I pause. “Rowan doesn’t.”

Josef’s lip curls. “Get rid of him. I’ve told you to do this before.”

He’s so fucking blasé. “Uh. The shadows? You’ve experienced that magic.”

I swiftly push away a memory of the night at the funeral home—Josef can’t see that.

“Grayson. Don’t confront the witch; just kill him. He sleeps.”

I choke. “Violet’s bonded witch? Sure. Smart plan.”

Josef takes a long breath then walks to the window, staring at the afternoon daylight that once would’ve fried him.

What did happen to change the situation and allow hemia vampires to walk in daylight?

Another of Dorian’s secrets? The hybrid hinted he could reverse the situation, and not everybody believes he’s bluffing.

I tense as Josef moves to place a hand on my shoulder, saying nothing as he looks down at me. The witch’s words the night in Sawyer’s warehouse: “Nice double-cross, Petrescu. But you’ve got the wrong guy.”

“Cornelius must plan to place Viktor in a location nobody else knows about. Perhaps alongside the body of the person that caused all these issues for his family?”

My eyes bug. “You know about Madison and where her body is?”

“No. But I know everything about the sordid situation. I inserted myself into the Sawyers’ lives to aid in keeping Cornelius under control.” Josef mouth twitches into a half-smile. “I really should catch up with the man soon, especially now.”

“Wait.” I stand. “You plan to tell Cornelius what I’ve told you ? You wanted him caught.”

“Why would I do that?” The innocence in his voice doesn’t match the continuing sly smile.

Fuck.

If Josef informs Cornelius, the man will run.

“You can’t, Josef. Let Dorian piece together the clues to find and take Cornelius. One problem solved.”

“Cornelius isn’t my biggest problem. His necromancer friends are. This could be the opportunity I need.”

“For what?”

“To end the problem.” His eyes shine. “Yes. This is perfect.”

“I don’t understand what you’re planning.”

“Planning? Now why would I share my plans with Violet Blackwood’s lover?” He turns to face me. “Although you bringing this information to me demonstrates your common sense and, to some extent, your commitment.”

“To you?” I laugh harshly. “Or my bullshit family name?”

I instantly regret my words, but at least I haven’t been held against the wall by my neck, or had my wrists slashed. Instead, he places a hand on my shoulder, and I fight the instinctive flinch.

Why the unblinking look from Josef? The calmness?

“Your name.”

“If you interfere and Cornelius disappears, Violet will shut me out of everything! I’ll have nothing more to share, ever again.”

“Share with me or with her? You’ll impart details of today’s discussion with your friends and alert them of my next move. Although I can’t divulge everything due to this double-crossing behavior, I can keep my promise for an exchange of information.”

“Like what?” I ask cautiously.

“Something that could aid you in maintaining Violet’s belief in you.”

And manipulating me.

His fingers dig painfully into my shoulders as he gives a ‘friendly’ squeeze. “My connection to the Sawyers and their trust in me uncovered a recent development. I can’t act on this information myself, if I wish to maintain that trust.”

I suck in a breath. “What exactly do you want me to do, Josef? I’m not close with the Sawyers.”

“I need to know where the bodies are. All of them. Cornelius isn’t the only one who knows the location.”

“How am I supposed to discover that?”

He leans forward and whispers, “Isn’t Violet investigating the murders? Pass on my information about Sarah and watch how the girl reacts. Help her. Then inform me. The outcome will benefit us both.”

Josef’s eyes don’t question; they gloat, already certain I’ll obey. I clench my fists and pretend this is still my choice. But every step I take for him is one I won’t find my way back from. Why am I risking everything? Because I’m a coward—and one day, Violet will see that too.

“Coward? No.” My lips thin at his mind invasion. “A Blackwood is screwing with your life, and you’ve a fanciful idea that you love each other. That never ends well. Ever.” Josef pats my cheek. “And self-preservation isn’t cowardice, Grayson.”