Page 7

VIOLET

I strive to switch Holly’s plans to a peaceful evening following the appalling things she suffered today, going so far as to suggest that we watch a movie of her choice.

Instead, I’m forced to attend the impromptu celebration for Holly’s return.

I suppose there’ll be benefits. As with the last party, I attended, this event is an ideal excuse for surveillance of the humans.

What are the current rumors? Plans? Status of relationships between human and supernatural students?

If the humans restricted their invitations to Darwin students, something remains amiss amongst student houses, and specifics would help me.

My residence at Darwin House allows me entry, but a begrudging one.

Fortunately, Leif remains classified as human, despite recent questions over his loyalties, and leaves his gaming behind once he hears about the party.

So, I accept my fate.

The celebration takes place in the common room, a rather brave move since alcohol isn’t allowed on academy grounds. Still, at least the night doesn’t involve a trip into town, which would make watching Holly harder. As usual, I’m ignored, or glared at, by humans—something I reciprocate.

I rarely visit the common room, presumably named so because humans are unexceptional.

Those who normally sit on the broken sofas or create bad-tasting coffee and bland food in the attached kitchen are particularly ordinary.

Tonight, the room fills with popular students, and the common ones are missing.

I skulk in the corner of the room, positioned to watch those who arrive and depart, ensuring Holly is always in full view.

As there’re no witches present, Chase isn’t here, a name Holly hasn’t mentioned since we returned.

Is she aware of his infidelity or does she simply no longer care due to Dashiell?

The students disguised the alcohol they bought by mixing liquor with sodas and juices. They can’t hide the growing inebriation not normally caused by Coca-Cola or orange juice. Leif, beside me, is no exception. He nudges me as I note the names of all attendees on my phone.

“Put that away, Violet.”

I purse my lips at him, and he proffers his red plastic cup. “No, thank you.”

“What are you doing?” He gestures at the phone.

“Surveillance. Note taking. You won’t be helpful tonight if you drink too much alcohol, Leif.”

Leif shrugs and gulps the remains of his drink. “You sure you don’t want one?” He waves the cup at me.

“I don’t drink alcohol.” Another shrug. “What is wrong with you?”

Leif laughs loudly enough to attract attention from the group circled on the floor nearby. “Is that a serious question?”

“Granted, there are several answers, but what specifically prompted the decision not to monitor your alcohol consumption.”

Leif looks down at me, his figure blocking my view of Holly. Earlier, he stood with his gaming friends, but noticeably on the edge and not speaking. Only after drinking several full red cups did his stance relax and he stopped looking around the room, paying more attention to the conversation.

I watched the group too, struck once more at how out of place Leif looks due to his height and build, despite sharing their age.

Logan is athletic and enjoys the added attention due to his physique, but the other guys are boys compared to Leif.

In my early days at the academy, girls spent more time around Leif than in recent weeks, no doubt due to the physical attractiveness it took me some time to register.

Yet there’s something about Leif that causes him to blend in when he shouldn’t—apart from when wearing the ill-fitting academy uniform.

He doesn’t hold himself as tall and confident as some of his peers, his quiet and gentle nature pushing him into the background.

A discomfort in his own skin and quiet introspectiveness adds to this, and that’s more apparent these days.

My fault for separating him from his human life and drawing him further into the supernatural?

Leif smells of alcohol, his eyes unfocused, and he doesn’t stand close to me. Unusual. He’s tactile, often touching my face or hair, or wishing to hug.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” he asks. “It freaks me out when you stare and don’t blink.”

“I’m concerned about you. We should speak about today’s events. You should also cease drinking.”

“Nope. It’s a party, Violet,” he says and wanders away before I can reply.

I frown after him, throw a warning look at the nearby group eavesdropping, then refocus on Holly.She may be my priority, but Leif is struggling. He needs me too, and my heart twinges as I watch him pour another drink and not return to me. Apparently alcohol can help him more right now.

Holly also consumed several cups of the potent mix. Fortunately, no males have approached her, and she’s wedged between Sara and Annie on a brown, threadbare sofa.

Careful listening to attendees’ conversations reveals there’re no rumors about new murders in town. Nobody reported Viktor’s death yet—not to anybody in contact with the academy, anyway.

A common room full of common people and not a clue in sight—or sound.

Eloise messaged again earlier that although she “dealt with the situation,” I should “prepare for questioning,” and I’m unsure if she means by Dorian or by my frequent visitors, the detectives. At least her updates reassure me that we have time to find a solution to the mess we’ve caused.

If I were loyal to my family, I’d search for Dashiell and Grayson, not attend a human party. I’d like to look for Grayson, but without any contact, I haven’t the faintest idea where to start. If he were close, I’d pick up Grayson’s presence, but I highly doubt he’ll approach the academy. Not yet.

Each time he flickers into my mind, my heart speeds and images of the time Grayson and Dorian stood face to face intrude. The hatred in my father’s eyes was directed at Grayson when he’d helped me; goodness knows what he’d do to him now. I must find Grayson before my father does.

Holly ends my distraction by unsteadily standing, gripping her phone.

Annie rises too and supports Holly, fussing over my friend who attempts to walk in a straight line.

Holly shakes her head and waves the phone at Annie before stumbling away.

My brow pinches as she walks to a corner beneath a notice board, and furiously types at the impressive speed with which she composes messages on her phone.

I’m niggled by the thought that she’s communicating with Dashiell. No. He wouldn't be stupid enough to contact Holly straightaway. But then his behavior around the girl hasn’t involved wise decisions today.

“What really happened to Holly?” asks Annie, intercepting me from crossing to Holly.

I blink. “The facts were established by human and supernatural authorities, and widely reported.”

“Holly isn’t alright,” Annie replies.

“No, she’s half left, or she’d fall over.” A grinning Leif stands beside me, and he slurps from his cup. Annie responds with a haughty look.

Good grief. Now Leif is speaking in riddles.

“I wish to speak to Holly. Excuse me,” I say.

“You should stay away from her,” says Annie. “Both of you.”

“Holly chooses who to interact with.” I attempt to pass, and Isabella steps up to Annie’s side. Oh, joy. Another drunken, human obstacle. “Excuse me.”

She should marvel at my politeness but does not; neither does she move.

“What do you know about the full moon?” asks Isabella.

“The phenomenon occurs when our planet is positioned between the moon and the sun, causing the moon to appear fully illuminated from the Earth's perspective.”

“You know what I mean,” Isabella snaps. “What is your father doing to stop the shifter attack?”

Leif scoffs. “Shifters wouldn't attack campus. They keep away.”

“Apart from that werewolf!”

Good grief. “Dorian will ensure the tightest security.”

“But what if the attack comes from inside the academy?” Annie retorts. “From the ghosts.”

“The ghosts that aren’t ghosts,” adds Isabella.

“Oh?” I’m temporarily halted in my desire to see Holly. “You once seemed certain you’d seen ghosts. What is your new theory?”

“People plotting an attack! Annie saw them?—”

“Saw them?” I interrupt. “Where? When? What did these individuals look like?”

“They’re a secret coven.” Annie darts a look around her, voice barely a whisper.

“They walk through the academy, into the attics, then disappear.”

I straighten. “And when was the last time you witnessed this occurrence?”

“Why should we tell you anything?” asks Isabella. “You could be involved and warn them.”

“Them? Yet you’ve just told me about sightings of this mysterious coven.” Isabella nudges Annie and mouths ‘dumbass’ to her. Alcohol does aid in my investigations, after all. “I shall pass the information to my father.”

Once I’m brave enough to speak with him.

For now, I shall inform Eloise, and ensure I investigate the academy more thoroughly. Once I’ve attended to my other, more pressing issue.

“Excuse me,” I say again. Neither girl responds. Why do the guys and Holly insist that politeness is the way to gain cooperation when clearly it is not? Baring my teeth, I add, “Move.”

The girls immediately back off at my half-snarled word, and Leif chuckles.

Holly no longer stands beneath the noticeboard.

I survey the room, turning full circle to re-count the attendees and inspect the groups for any other missing partygoers. There’re two more males in the room, but one less person. Female. My friend.

“Where’s Holly?” I ask sharply. “Leif. Did you see her leave?”

His alcohol-awash eyes meet mine. “Wasn’t watching.”

I bite back replying, “why not?” but I’ve already concluded why Leif’s psychological and physical state confirm his uselessness to my investigations. “Help me find Holly, Leif.”