Page 106 of Dance With Death

“Grayson. This is more than ‘Violet’s cozying up to a Petrescu’,” says Leif.

Grayson glowers. “Sorry, but we’ve no bloody idea what Violet could walk into. She’s trying to help Holly, but everybody could die. That’d be a permanent death for you two.”

I pull on my bottom lip and exchange a look with Leif, trying to gauge his thoughts.

“If Eloise stopped Violet’s plan, she’d never speak to us again,” says Leif with a flat laugh.

“Violet’s safety overrides everything and everybody else,” says Grayson firmly. “Whatever that takes.”

“Don’t tell Eloise,” I say firmly. “Agreed?”

Grayson mutters something beneath his breath, and I pin him with a look. “Fine,” he says.

We drop into the confused silence again. This discussion goes around and around every time. At the center of all this, we face a huge problem: unless Viktor dies, Holly may never be safe. But if he does, we’ll lose answers to questions that nobody else knows. That could set back the investigation into who’s involved in the plot against Dorian, and what their plans may be.

Leif echoes my thoughts. “I’m worried about Violet killing Viktor.”

“I’m worried about Violet’s necromancy idea,” I say. “Violet has never tried that spell on a person, let alone a witch. A necromancer reanimating a necromancer is harder; the magic would clash. Who knows what might happen to either of them?”

Grayson swears. “Exactly! Another reason to have Eloise on the scene.”

“Is this you wanting brownie points with the Blackwoods?” I retort.

“There’s only one Blackwood I give a crap about,” he snaps back. “I don’t care what Dorian or Eloise think of me, or what they could do.”

“Calm it down,” says Leif tersely.

I’m freaking out over the Viktor situation because each time I consider Violet’s plans, I’m gripped by the despair that I might lose her. The bond wraps tighter and tighter around not just my heart and soul, but my logic too. How could I stop myself following?

Leif almost drops my phone as a message alert sounds then glances at the screen. “Violet.” He places the phone where we can all see.

where are you all at this precise moment?

My room. The others are leaving in a few minutes

don’t leave yet

why?

No response. Sighing, I stand and walk to the window, where the thick clouds swallow the waxing moon and create a perfect night for anybody to sneak around. What’s with the so-called ghosts inside the academy? Violet will have us ghost hunting next—or rather hunting the mysterious nighttime occurrences inside the academy.

“Holly doesn’t lose consciousness for long, Dashiell. Calm down.”

I whirl around, convinced I must be imagining Violet’s voice. Wrong. Violet stands by my door, and two other figures are on the floor—Holly lying on her side close to my bed, with Dashiell crouched beside her, his hand placed on her back.

Violet wrinkles her nose. “Grayson? Sort Dashiell. I don’t want to touch him.”

What the hell is this?

Grayson blows air into his cheeks and crosses the room. Dashiell is on his feet in seconds, eyes wide and shining. “What do you mean ‘sort’?” He recoils as Grayson grabs him by the wrist. “Don’t bite me!”

“Good grief,” mutters Violet as she crouches and dips her head to look at Holly’s face. “Do you think I brought you from imprisonment by Dorian to feed you to my friend? I need Grayson to prevent you from leaving while I consider what we do next.”

“You did what?” I ask. “How and why are you all here? Where did you find Dashiell?”

Holly groans, and Dash drops to his knees beside Holly before she can move, fussing over her.

“Did you know Dash was in Scotland?” My voice rises as Violet stands. “You lied to us, Violet.”