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VIOLET

Why? Why is today such a disaster? I had everything in hand and would’ve ended Viktor swiftly and discreetly if Holly hadn’t inserted herself into the situation. I’ve repeated this to the guys several times, and Rowan bravely suggested that I’d deluded myself that I’d succeed alone.

I’m unsure what would’ve happened to Dashiell if the shifter and I had met Viktor alone.

Holly saved Dashiell’s life by joining us, and then he saved hers, because I was prepared to hand him over.

At the time, I blamed him for Holly’s deteriorating state as much as I did Viktor, but now I see Dashiell for the pawn he is.

Dashiell fortunately survived, and his unknown past tells me he’s someone who’s accustomed to escaping from people. The shifter isn’t my concern. He can go. Viktor died. Holly survived. Problem solved.

Who am I fooling? We’re now faced with an unsurmountable problem.

Admittedly, I’ve waited at the lodge for Grayson.

He never replied to my message, but I informed him we’re all here and safe.

No reply, but I received a welcome message from my mother confirming she’s attended to the body problem.

Fortunately, nothing from my father, which means Eloise kept her word and didn’t tell Dorian immediately.

Nobody knows where we are, but Leif is correct—the four of us can’t stay here for long.

Decisions must be made, including how long to wait for Grayson. I’ve left ample time for him to join us and the unsettled feeling in the pit of my stomach grows with the passing hours.

No. Grayson is fine. He’s hiding, that’s all.

One saving grace from today’s disasters would’ve been locating Sarah Sawyer’s hidden evidence, but that now appears non-existent. Why hide suitcases filled with mundane human items? The suitcases in the boat shed match the number and description Kai gave me.

Either Sarah never took the box or documents to the lodge, or she’s adept at hiding things.

If she’s the person who hid the tiara and other items inside the factory warehouse, the latter is a possibility.

If I discover evidence that could aid Dorian, he may react better to news of Viktor’s demise. Instead, I have empty hands.

I haven’t searched every inch of the place, but I shall at the first opportunity. My current focus must be Holly.

Mind whirling with possibilities, I return to the lodge with Leif. Holly and Rowan discovered food in the cupboards and sit in the lounge with cookies and chips. When Leif walks in behind me, he wastes no time in acquiring his own share.

As I pass the armchair that Holly sits in, she offers me a cookie, and I shake my head.

“Rowan explained more about what’s happening. What do you plan to do, Violet?”

“Avoid Dorian and find information that may appease him. Hence, I’m searching for evidence.”

“The suitcases that Mrs. Sawyer brought to the lodge? Did you find them?”

I narrow my eyes at Rowan. Exactly how much did he tell Holly? “Have your parents contacted you?” I ask her.

“No. Too soon. It’s only eight, and I’m supposedly still in Scotland.”

“Which means Dorian hasn’t told them anything,” says Leif through a mouthful of chips.

“My father was never forthcoming when speaking to the pair.”

“You mean he hasn’t told Mum and Dad that I’m missing for the second time?” Holly bites her cookie.

“If it’s early, Dorian might not have noticed you’re missing yet,” Leif suggests.

“Doesn’t matter what Dorian does or what my parents think. I’m not going home, Violet.”

I suck my lips together and glance at Rowan who shrugs. I must remove Holly from any more involvement in this… everything , but that’s impossible. Somebody targeted Holly once, and that could occur again—especially when those connected to Viktor discover his demise.

“ Violet’s definitely not going home,” says Leif with a half-laugh, and I am not the only one who glares at his words.

“Holly does have a point. Where do we go?” asks Rowan.

“Go? Back to Thornwood, of course.”

Silence hits the room as they gawk at me.

“You’re kidding right?” asks Leif eventually.

“Am I one to ‘kid?’ We will return to the academy and continue as normal while we pursue investigations locally.” I flourish a hand. “Including investigations within the academy.”

“Dorian will find you!” protests Rowan. “ Us . Once Eloise tells your father what happened, he’ll… hell, I don’t want to think about what would happen.”

“And do you believe Dorian won’t find us if we become fugitives?” I retort. “And how useless would we be if we left the area? I must find answers, and some could still exist inside this lodge! I’ve looked, but not everywhere yet, and?—”

“Bloody hell, Violet,” says Rowan. “Is that the whole reason we came here? Not to hide?”

“Partially. But also because Dorian never once visited the lodge therefore can’t use blood runes.

He would take time to arrive.” I pat my pocket.

“Eloise contacted me to explain a human came across Viktor’s body, but that nobody knows who he is apart from us.

That includes Dorian. However, you’re correct that Dorian will search for Holly and Dashiell.

The academy is our best option to avoid an unpleasant and painful meeting with him. ”

“Wow,” mutters Rowan.

“If you don’t agree with my decision, where do you propose that we go?

” I ask him, and he looks at me blankly.

“Precisely. I’d like whoever is causing issues at the academy to witness our normal behavior, including Holly returning unharmed.

The individual may slip up and show the wrong reaction to that. A telling one.”

“When?” asks Leif wearily.

“This afternoon?” I suggest. Again, they stare at me. “Don’t forget that we must also reside at the academy during the full moon.”

This time Rowan mutters something beneath his breath.

I cross my arms tightly over my chest. “Our fate is unavoidable; therefore, we control as much of that future as we can.”

“What fate are you talking about?” asks Leif. “The one at Dorian’s hands?”

“Nobody will die by Dorian’s hand,” I inform them. Holly squeaks in that odd way she does when something distresses her. “Not one of you , anyway.”

But Grayson? What does his future hold? Acid fills my mouth. Does he have one?