Page 51 of Dance With Death

“We already discussed this, Marci,” says Nita. “We have to agree to their story.”

“Fine,” she says stiffly. “But I’m suspicious about you, Violet.”

“A mutual opinion,” I reply, then look to Nita. “And you.”

“Me? What did I do?” she asks indignantly. “Apart from the brooches.”

Rowan nudges me to interrupt the detective Violet ready to question Nita about Rory and necromancy. Rowan argued that Nita was genuinely upset about his death and can’t be involved. But what were the three witches doing in the room beneath Pendle that evening before Holly arrived and their ‘committee meeting’ started? Because there was evidence of a spell.

“Don’t worry, Nita; I suspect everybody,” I say and flash my teeth in the semblance of a smile. “Now. If we are all in agreement, I have better uses for my time.”

“Yeah,” says Marci. “Stay away from me.”

“My pleasure.” I turn to walk away, and Rowan joins me as we leave the girls, and hopefully the situation, for the last time.

“Violet,” calls Marci, and I pause, not turning back. “How would you feel if me and Rowan in the woods wasn’t a story?”

I roll my eyes to the threatening sky and continue walking, not dignifying her question with an answer.

“Ignore Marci,” says Rowan.

“I always do, as much as possible. Besides, the story was my idea. Would I have suggested that if I had concerns about our relationship, Rowan?”

“No.” He falls quiet as we continue, spots of rain now hitting his hair.

“You have a question,” I inform him. “Ask.”

“How badly did you attack Grayson last night?”

I blink raindrops from my lashes. “Not as badly as at the warehouse.”

Rowan snorts a laugh. “But you did attack him?”

“I lost my temper, yes.” My teeth clench. “Blamed him for Holly. Lost control.”

“I’m glad you lost control around Grayson, not me,” comments Rowan.

How can I explain that I’m safe to lose the control over the hybrid with Grayson? He took the brunt again, but instead of this pushing him away, last night pulled us closer to creating a blood tie.

Yes, I’m glad I didn’t lose my control with Rowan. The danger would be mutual because, if I prompt the shadows, they’d threatens us both. Rowan would be the most at risk as the shadows edge further into his magic each time they’re triggered.

Grayson holds onto his self-control around me, despite his Petrescu bloodline. Part of the reason for that control comes from a place that sickens me—his uncle’s ‘aversion treatment’ after he almost killed a witch.

I’ve no fear at all that Grayson could come close to killing me if he took my blood, even if his primal instinct overrode him. No. I worry that if he takes my blood, Grayson will die, as Dorian predicted.

But I move closer and closer to wanting that level of connection with Grayson. How long can we both resist? And what will happen if we don’t?

Unfortunately, but unsurprisingly, we’re intercepted before we can leave the academy. Mrs. Lorcan sends demands that we visit her and we dutifully attend. Her office door barely closes behind us before she speaks.

“Why did you visit the hospital early this morning? You should’ve communicated events to me first!” Despite Mrs. Lorcan’s face-full of makeup and immaculate blue skirt suit, the woman’s a mess. “I received a phone call from the police mid-morning and expect a visit from detectives soon.”

“Oh. Didn’t anybody inform you earlier?” I ask and feign ignorance.

“I need a full debrief on what happened at the hospital before the police arrive on the academy’s doorstep.” She yanks out her desk chair and sits, face growing pinker with each second. “Did any of you speak to Holly?”

“No. She can’t speak. But the detectives spoke to us at the hospital,” I say.

“What?” Her eyes bulge.

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