Page 6

VIOLET

Holly naps in preparation for revealing her presence to the wider academy, lying silently on the bed, hugging a round, squishy pig cushion to her chest. After checking with Leif and Rowan about whether anybody has contacted or questioned them—they haven’t—Isit in silence and stare at my phone, willing a message to appear from Grayson.

He still hasn't replied, and I’ve sent several. Does Grayson believe Dorian may be monitoring my phone? I explained in my last message that we’ve returned to the academy and what’s happening, but the longer without a reply, the tighter the knot in my stomach pulls.

Grayson is safe. He’s hiding. He’ll contact me soon.

At least focusing on Holly distracts me.

We’ve barely set foot outside of Darwin House before a group of human girls crossing from the academy pause then rush toward us.

“Holly!”

Oh, how wonderful: Isabella, Sarah, and Annie.

I back off, as much to remove myself from the shrieking as to allow their reunion, and Isabella eyes me with suspicion.

Their secret enterprise may be over, but Isabella remains friendly with Marci, so the witch will soon know about Holly’s return.

Although, judging by the volume of the girls’ voices, the whole academy will be aware in minutes.

Holly resists hugs due to her chest injury, which causes gasps and whispers, the girls asking what happened, sending scathing looks my way as they do.

Annie loudly fills Holly in on mysterious and dangerous supernatural events at the academy—rumors Holly already knows about from me and the guys.

Annie promises to find Holly a brooch talisman, and Isabella side-glances me before apologizing that she’s unable to locate anymore.

The trio surround Holly and sweep her away, back toward the academy as if carrying her away from me on a wave.

Not happening . Holly will not leave my sight.

Not today. I follow, carefully noting each girl’s behavior and subtly picking up thoughts.

None have any that would arouse suspicion, merely a combination of excitement that they found Holly first and can share everything their friend told them with others, and less pleasant ones about me. As usual.

I stalk them until we’re inside the building, where Rowan waits outside the cafe, using his phone to avoid looking at people, who mostly pay no attention to him anyway. The girls continue carrying Holly on their wave of enthusiasm as they enter the cafeteria.

I approach Rowan, and he straightens, eyes going wide as soon as he sees me. “Alright?”

“Since you texted me five minutes ago? Yes. Where’s Leif?”

Rowan pulls a face at my comment. “With Dane and Logan. Gaming.”

“I’ve noticed Leif enters an imaginary world when he can’t deal with this one.” I glance around at said world. “We should check in on him later.”

“And Holly?” Rowan gestures at the cafeteria. “Is she okay?”

“Holly claims that she’s fine following her short rest, but that’s highly unlikely considering this morning’s experiences, and her injuries.”

“But she’s okay currently ?”

“Holly thrives on the company of others and secretly enjoys the attention.” I look to the cafeteria too, where more humans crowd around the dark wooden tables, some holding coffee cups. “The girl is an honorary pneuma vamp—she draws people to her.”

“Or a shifter.”

I slant my head. “Although I theorized that Holly could be a golden retriever shifter on my first day, that proved untrue. Why do you say she is?”

“Dashiell. Their weird bond.”

“Incorrect. I’d be aware if Holly contained shifter blood.”

Rowan shrugs. “Just saying. There’re families with diluted shifter blood, like there’re humans who’ve inherited weak magic. Not all supes avoided humans. Look at Leif. He’s half-shifter.”

Holly? A shifter? The curly-haired girl carries no shifter traits compared to Leif whose size and amber eyes are a giveaway.

Rowan’s theory is incorrect; Viktor’s spell created the connection between the pair.

But a sliver of doubt remains—Viktor hinted that no spell of his influenced Dashiell’s attachment to Holly, yet the shifter risked his life for the girl.

Was Dashiell’s action prompted by a spell created by a different witch, or by guilt? I know myself that this particular emotion causes unsafe choices.

Marci approaches Holly but stays at the edge of the group.

Isabella and Annie don’t pay attention to the witch, either distracted by Holly or deliberately ignoring her.

Hmm. Perhaps not as friendly as I presumed.

I scrutinize Marci’s face. Is she surprised to see Holly?

Happy? Impossible to tell; the girl can be as sullen as me when inclined.

Lowering my voice, I explain to Rowan what occurred at our meeting with the headmistress.

“I’m surprised Mrs. Lorcan didn’t call Dorian straightaway.”

“I’m not.”

“Or her parents.”

“Like I said, she has the persuasive skills of a pneuma vamp, and the headmistress has a soft spot for Holly.” I glance at the girls again.

“I’ve an inkling the headmistress won’t want to tell Dorian that she let Holly out of supernatural supervision by returning the girl to the human world.

Or Mrs. Lorcan wants to keep an eye on me, so doesn’t want me to leave if Holly does. ”

“And I suppose you want to spend tonight breaking into Mrs. Lorcan's office?” he says quietly, an air of defeat around him.

“Tonight? Much as I wish to, it’s imperative that I watch Holly and her friends this evening.

This requires partaking in her social activities.

I’ve lost one person I care about today, and the one over there can’t defend herself.

What if Holly attempts to leave the academy to search for Dashiell and her asking to stay here is a ruse? ”

“And what social activities must you partake in?” mimics Rowan. “A girl’s night?”

“No. An impromptu celebration for her return.” I gesture. “The group are discussing this now.”

“A party?” Rowan snorts a laugh. “Fun.”

I tune in to the girls’ continued conversation. “Darwin students only. Leif shall accompany me.”

“Watch him if there’s alcohol. He’s likely to drink a lot in his current state of mind.” Rowan pauses, raking a hand through his hair.

“I recognize that gesture. Are you concerned about my attendance at the party or Leif’s upcoming intoxication? Disappointed you can’t attend?”

“No.” Another pause before he cautiously asks, “Any message or call from Grayson?”

“Grayson will contact us as soon as he can.”

I tighten my mouth. While Holly slept, I concocted a series of plans to prevent anybody from discovering the identity of the town’s latest murder victim.

I’ve settled on an option, and not one I’d like to share just yet.