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VIOLET

I barge through the common room, not using ‘excuse me,’ and ignore the individuals who swear at me as I knock them hard when I pass.

The hallway between the stairs to the building exit and the rooms is empty apart from a couple sitting on the floor.

I’d ask if they’ve seen anybody but since their mouths are locked together, the question would be futile.

I took my potion as soon as I returned, and wish I’d waited. Without the concoction in my blood, I would’ve sensed Holly’s own blood. Annoyed at Holly absconding, I pull out my phone and text her.

Where did you go?

Holly answers immediately.

I’ll be back soon. Don’t worry.

Don’t worry. Don’t worry ? Air hisses through my teeth. ‘Back soon’ means Holly didn’t return to her room. If she left the building, firstly, Holly is stupider than I thought, and, secondly, forgets that I move several times faster than she does.

“What if the spell affected Holly and she’s unwell?” I ask Leif beside me. “What if Viktor’s death changed nothing?”

“Are you saying I might still be cursed too?” asks Leif.

“A witch never cursed you,” I say. “He or she merely cast a spell well-rooted in your brain.”

Leif snorts. “Thanks for the concern.”

His manner becomes odder. I’ve witnessed the guys drinking alcohol in the past, but never in such quantities. Whatever mixture Leif drank tonight forces him to rest his back against the wall to remain upright.

“Stay here in case Holly returns.” I sigh at him. “And don’t fall over; you may injure yourself. Send a message to Rowan in case she heads to Pendle House to find Marci or Chase.”

Without awaiting a response, I take off at speed, almost flying down the wide flight of stairs to the exit. The door slams closed behind me, and I pause focusing everything on the surroundings.

Perhaps Holly needed air? That happened once before when Holly drank too much.

Voices from across the campus reach my ears, one female.

Holly? I blur in the direction of the sounds: the greenhouse.

Rowan teased me the night he returned Holly’s pink coat—at risk to his personal safety—and I’ve since become aware what he hinted at.

Couples visit the space between the sheds and greenhouse for intimate rendezvous.

Is Holly meeting Chase? Perhaps he exchanged the messages with her and requested a reunion? If true, that tempers my annoyance with Holly for sneaking from the party, as it would indicate her obsession with Dashiell broke with Viktor’s death.

Yet that does not excuse her stupidity in walking onto campus at night when we’re perfectly aware danger may lurk in any direction.

My stomach flips as I pick up a different, familiar scent to Holly.

No.

Rounding the corner to the space where couples meet, I halt and stare at my friend.

She is indeed with somebody, but not Chase.

This area may be shrouded in too much darkness for witches’ and humans’ weaker night vision, but I can clearly see the guy who’s as large as Leif holding both of Holly’s hands as they speak.

“Good grief! Are you insane?” I ask Dashiell.

“Violet!” Holly turns and stands between us, her figure barely obscuring any of him.

“Holly.” I press my lips together. “Did the pair of you not consider that I would follow Holly’s every move tonight? Are you not concerned that I may take Dashiell again?”

“You wouldn’t.” Holly’s words don’t come with a shocked tone but are instead firm and filled with certainty. “Violet, you have to agree that Dash is a good person now. Dash saved my life!” Her cheeks glisten from streaked tears.

“Then why are you crying? Good people don’t make others cry. I can sense your distress.”

Holly sucks in a breath and shakes her head.

“I only came here tonight to say goodbye to Holly,” says Dashiell softly. “I won’t be back again, and I might not get another chance to see her.” Another strangled noise from my friend. “I can’t hide forever; someone will find and kill me. I just don’t know which side.”

“Side?” I frown.

“Either your father or Viktor’s friends,” says Holly. “Violet, can’t you help Dash?”

“In what manner? I can’t hide him, nor can I put a protective spell on the shifter.”

“Good, because I don’t want any more bloody magic involved in my life.” Dashiell turns Holly to face him. “You understand why I need to leave?”

“I’ll help you,” says Holly desperately and clings to his hands. “There must be somewhere you can go. Someone who’d protect you. Shifters always protect their own.”

Dashiell strokes Holly’s damp cheek with the back of his fingers. “Not when the shifter leaves the pack. I’ve looked after myself for a couple of years. There’re places I can go.”

“I want to come.”

“No!” I shout and grab Holly’s arm, this scene increasingly familiar and ridiculous.

“Don’t stress. I wouldn’t allow Holly to leave with me,” says Dashiell, eyes glinting in the dark. “Why would I save Holly from Viktor then drag her into more trouble? Risk Holly’s life again? No.”

“Dash.” Holly drags in a ragged breath. “Please. Don’t leave forever.”

I cross my arms, despair washing over me at her words.

This isn’t one of her movies. “I don’t think Dashiell will leave you forever,” I mutter.

“This ludicrous connection between you already brought Dashiell to the academy. A decision as nonsensical as when he approached the hospital the day after the attack that half-killed you.”

Dashiell says nothing, holding my look rather than Holly’s who stares up at him. “He evidently has your phone number, since you arranged this clandestine meeting. Stay in touch that way.” Phone. Messages. “Dashiell. Do you know where Grayson went?”

“No. Sorry. Is he missing?”

“Yes. Along with Viktor’s heart.” My mouth parches. Even though Dashiell’s scent diverged from Grayson’s in the woods, they could’ve met up. Helped each other.

“Fuck. Why did Grayson involve himself?” Dashiell drags a hand across the top of his head.

“Because if Grayson hadn't taken Viktor’s heart, Eloise would’ve used necromancy and reanimated Viktor,” says Holly in a small voice. “Then the spell on me wouldn’t break. Violet wanted Viktor to die, and Eloise didn’t agree.”

“Then where’s Viktor now? Did Eloise take him?”

“He’s on a slab in a human mortuary.” I wave a hand. “Dorian isn’t aware of Viktor’s death—don’t ask for details, Dashiell, I don’t have time to explain—but you have two days to get far away from us.”

Holly takes another sharp breath but doesn’t speak.

“Right. Nobody is looking for me yet?” he asks. “Well, nobody new .”

“Others commonly pursue you? Actually. Don’t answer. I’ve no need to hear your life history at present.”

“I know everything about Dash,” says Holly. “We spent a whole day together.”

“So, I heard. Dashiell. Leave. You once expressed the fear someone might see you in your unshifted form at the academy. Therefore, revisiting Thornwood in human form is absurd on many levels.”

“Yeah, well, I couldn’t say goodbye as a wolf or walk on campus and have dumb humans spot me again.” He huffs. “Violet. Can you leave us a minute so I can say goodbye to Holly?”

“Dashiell!” Holly’s voice rises. “Stay longer.”

“As Violet says, I’m not safe.”

I rest against the shed wall. “I am not leaving the pair of you alone. At this point, I’m inclined to believe that Holly will chase you, if you don’t take her.”

“I am not taking Holly,” he half-shouts. “But how difficult do you think it is to leave the girl I want to protect? The one I’d give my life for? I probably will die for what I did!”

“Please do not speak like that in front of Holly!” I retort. “Suggesting your imminent demise will not assist her in coping with you leaving.”

“You will come back for me one day?” whispers Holly.

I bite my lip, as eager for Dashiell’s response as Holly is.

But instead of replying, he kisses her.

I lift my eyes to the stars. Good grief.

I can only hope that Dashiell told the truth and that he’ll stay away from Holly. But can he? Which also begs the question… can she?