Page 26 of Dance With Death

9

LEIF

Tensions run higher than usual, and not only due to the confrontation between Violet and the group of humans last night. Mrs. Lorcan called all students together in the assembly hall to address the issue of the shifter on campus—Violet whispered that Dorian forced the headmistress to confirm the sighting now that there’s evidence the creature exists, and that there may be a threat to students. But the story remains that Holly’s sick, not missing, and the shifter is not connected.

Dorian is taking the full moon death threat seriously, and the Darwin House students may regret their complaint that the academy doesn’t care about their safety. The group’s activities last night have created the reason for this newest tension: all humans are now under curfew from dusk until dawn.

I’m meeting with Eloise today in an attempt to find the spell in my mind, and Violet reassured me that she’ll join us. I once would’ve questioned whether Violet offered out of curiosity or to support me. Nowadays, the answer is ‘both’ since I’m her consort. I smile to myself, but at the time, Violet’s announcement pissed me off. I was already in a state of shock after the news about my father’s origins, and that the elders wanted me back. Then the girl who’d never even kissed me told the elders how important I am to her, and that nobody dare touch me, all without telling or asking me first.

Man, getting Violet to repeat the words to me was like getting blood from a stone. Until she did, I’d convinced myself Violet only made the statement to help me. After all, Violet was Rowan’s. Their bond thing should’ve been obvious from the start, and I admit that the news slugged me in the guts at first. I have no idea why, as I’d already decided I had no chance with Violet. Rowan reminded me about witches having a group of consorts, but I couldn’t picture Violet choosing a half-shifter.

Especially without telling me first.

Is it wrong that I’m glad the elders are preoccupied with the necromancy situation and have pulled rank against anybody not already central to their society? No way will the elders want me anywhere near the place while I have a necromancer’s spell in my mind. That puts one problem on the backburner, but how long for?

This bloody spell. I’ve woken in the night convinced somebody is in the room, my half-asleep state playing tricks on my mind because the only person with me is Dane in the bed across the room. But Viktor is always with me, like somebody sitting on my shoulder, watching everything. Is he watching? I have no clue, only that he allegedly knows where I am all the time. Violet doesn’t want to exclude me due to the spell, but how can I spend time with the others if this might threaten them?

The first witches who looked Into my mind couldn’t see past the splintered memories, which is why Eloise agreed to help. I hate allowing other witches into my head, only trusting Violet, but I have no choice. Besides, Eloise wouldn’t hurt me, right?

But Dorian might. What if he decides I’m too big a threat?

Violet checks in with Eloise alone before we’re due to meet, and I wander to the Darwin House common room to distract myself from the nerves. I spot two of the guys I game with—Zak and Aaron—sitting with Dane on one of the threadbare sofas. Maybe they know something about the brooches since none of the girls will tell me. I approach the trio, who’re talking about last night’s late gaming.

Not the ‘werewolf’, thankfully.

“Where were you, Leif?” asks Zak as I sit on the sofa arm. “You missed a good session.”

“Violet took him for a walk around campus, wolf hunting.” Dane snickers.

“Yeah. I heard you were there. Not good—we’d arranged the session days go, mate,” says Aaron.

I shrug.

“Leif wouldn’t dare say no to Violet,” says Dane, and I pull a face at him.

“You and her…?” Zak arches a brow. “Does she bite when you’re making out?”

“I’m not talking to you about me and Violet,” I say, voice low in warning.

“Yeah, Violet would slash his neck if Leif spilled on what she likes in bed,” puts in Dane.

“If I had a threesome, I’d want another girl, not a dude,” announces Aaron, loud enough that the group in the nearby chairs pause and look over. “Violet is also screwing the witch you hang out with, right? Do you get an invite?”

“I’m not interested in your sexual preferences, and mine are nothing to do with you. Should I tell Violet about our conversation?” I snap. “No? Then keep your mouth shut.”

“Touchy, Leif.” Dane raises a brow.

But my warning silences them. The three don’t bother looking into the real supernatural world and, like a lot of human kids here, imagine constant orgies happening in the other houses. Who knows if that’s true or not? I don’t care, and I’m only interested in Violet who’s buried herself so deep in my heart that sometimes it hurts. I could never imagine loving anybody apart from this beautiful, deadly girl, and a single thought that I might lose her terrifies me. Violet would never die, but she could do something that would take her away from me forever—kill.

“I wanted to get Violet one of those brooches, but none of the girls will tell me where I can buy one,” I say to interrupt the awkward silence. “Any ideas?”

Zak snorts. “You mean the magical brooches to protect them against the full moon massacre? Violet wouldn’t need one.”

Massacre. Well, that escalated from ‘someone will die’.

“Magic brooches?” We were right. “But a couple of the girls wearing them don’t trust witches and avoid the Pendle girls. Why would they wear something a witch gave them?”

“Isabella started hanging around with the three witches and Holly. She asked them to make her a magical talisman,” says Dane. “You know how the girls are—half of them want the same thing if Isabella has one.”

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