Page 67 of Dance With Death

I chose Holly over Dorian because I’m the reason she’s in the hospital and I couldn’t bear to consider something or someone injuring her further. This morning, the detectives seemed set on their own investigations before Dorian’s involvement. I believed I had time to check Holly myself before my father’s presence overwhelmed the entire situation.

On my return to the academy, my main concern was whether Dorian injured Rowan or Leif in any way during his quest to reveal my whereabouts. He didn’t harm either guy, but they do have headaches from his ungentle explorations of their minds. When Dorian is desperate for answers, people suffer, deliberately or not. This is why I visited Holly first and kept the news from him.

I don’t see Leif, who retreated to his room after Dorian’s interrogation and joined the friends he recently spends more time with. Rowan once explained that the group have gamed together for a couple of years, whatever that means, but the one time I visited Leif mid-game, the activity appeared to involve as much shouting as the rugby matches heard on campus occasionally.

Leif’s desire to stay away from me stems from his worry about Viktor’s spell, despite Eloise’s help. The sooner we deal with that, the better, because his distance feels unusual and odd.

Rowan hasn’t reacted to my choice as I expected. I was fully prepared for an argument about my stupidity and refusal to tell him my plans. He said little as I explained my reasoning and what occurred, including my disgust and frustration, and how Dorian had better keep Dashiell securely locked up until we question him.

Dorian’s words echo: your loyalties are wrong.

But are they?

After that conversation, Rowan asked for time alone, which is always a worrying prospect. Have I upset him more than he’s indicated? I detected a dull block around him, rather than the angry energy that triggers sometimes. I would’ve preferred friction to silence.

Did something happen to him with Dorian?

I also expected an interrogation from Marci regarding Holly’s health, but she’s avoiding me. Well, avoiding me more than usual. Let’s hope the understanding that I say nothing about her magical talismans, and Marci doesn’t mention my presence in the woods that night, holds. The detectives will discover the truth once they interview Dashiell, but at least they didn’t know from the start. Otherwise, I’d be implicated and locked up without a chance to intervene before Dorian’s arrival and interference.

As the evening becomes night, I search campus for Rowan. He visits places away from people when taking out his frustrations with magic, and I watch the sky for any unusual storms over the playing fields. Nothing. I’m about to return to my room when Rowan sends me a message asking to meet him in the place we met Julius that day—an attic in the main academy.

The humans’ murmurs around me often fill with vitriol, which has increased since Mrs. Lorcan placed the humans on lockdown, as if I’m somehow to blame. Will they calm down if Mrs. Lorcan lifts the curfew, now we’ve captured the wolf?

I reach the attic, where the makeshift storage room contains more disturbances in the dust than last time. With the humans on lockdown, do people meet here secretly?

Rowan isn’t in the room, but somebody shifted the table barrier that prevents access to the roof space. He’s outside on the flattened part of the roof, gazing across at the opposite wing, silhouetted in the cloudy night. The academy in gloomy weather always adds to the gothic atmosphere, which encourages the humans’ imaginations.

Hounds. Ghosts.

Why did Dashiell start visiting campus after he or another abducted Holly? Now that nightly event has proven true, is there anything more explainable about the ‘ghosts’? Nighttime activities involving insurgents hidden in the academy halls? I’m partially curious what the human girls’ ghost hunting may uncover, but also worried what they may find and the response from the ‘ghost’.

The narrow, flat roof is between two protruding parts of the main roof, and someone placed a couple of wooden academy chairs with rusted wooden legs near the back. Worryingly, there’s a large drop to the concrete ground below.

Rowan stands halfway between the door and perilous edge, hands in his academy blazer pockets. There’s no magic in the area, storm or shadows, yet he doesn’t register my arrival.

“Holly would’ve been okay, Violet,” says Rowan eventually. “You could’ve caused a lot of trouble for yourself.”

I approach and face him, blocking Rowan’s view, then touch his hand. I’m tentative, but not because I’d rather avoid physical contact—I’m dreading sensing the shadows on him. His eyes meet mine, and there’s a faint smile at my contact.

“I’ve explained, Rowan. I had to get to Holly before Dorian touched her in case he accidentally caused harm. She’s already suffered who knows what.” I pause. “But we will know what soon.”

Rowan sighs. “Ignoring Dorian today and going to Holly first wasn’t sensible, Violet.”

“I am as guilty of putting Holly in the hospital as those who harmed her. I needed to discover what happened so I could rectify the situation.”

Rowan repeats ‘rectify’ and laughs to himself. “You didn’t go to Holly through guilt, but because you care about her.”

“I care for her welfare, yes.”

“Violet…” He shakes his head but doesn’t explain his weary tone.

“Once I’ve spoken to Holly properly about events and reassured myself she’s unharmed, I’ll keep away from her. I have caused Holly enough trouble.”

“Yeah. Sure, you’ll stay away,” says Rowan, and I scowl at him. “Did you ask Holly what happened?”

“Um.” I rub my nose. “Holly wasn’t lucid enough.”

“Right. Deadly detective Violet put aside her natural inclination to interrogate a human?”

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