Page 78 of Dance With Death

I exchange looks with the guys. Yes, we’re capable of protecting Kai to an extent, but not totally. If Viktor’s involved, we’ve an unknown element in Kai’s situation.

“If you find and give this information to Dorian, he’ll help,” Rowan informs him.

“Yeah. Why ask us?” Leif scratches a cheek.

“Because I want done with all this supernatural bullshit! I can get away if you help me. Leave the country.”

“That’s rather ambitious.” But still, his offer is persuasive—Kai could uncover important facts.

“Wait until Dorian has caught the people responsible,” suggests Rowan. “Leave then.”

“No!” Kai stands. “I’m done! I’m fucking over this life. Yeah, I have everything I want, but my parents always suffocated me. I couldn’t join my mates on school excursions—everybody went to Paris a couple of years ago, and I had to stay home. I have special ‘counsellors’; I’m not stupid, they’re witches. I just accepted the monthly meetings as a kid, but now? No. I swear these witches screw with my head. Your father tried to screw with my head. I’m in the middle of all this and I want out. If these people targeting me know I’ve walked away from my family and inheritance, they’ll have won anyway, right?”

Silence fills the room after his outburst. Witches? Sawyer doesn’t like witches, but their influence is everywhere. How far does this connection go?

“Do you know the name Viktor Whitegrove?” I ask.

“Violet!” says Rowan.

“Or Joe Smith?” I continue.

“No. Neither.”

“What other business interests does your father have? Human businessmen of his caliber always have investments.”

“No clue. But that’s what I could find for you.” Kai drags a hand through his hair. “I’ll get into the safe somehow. Please. Leif, you must understand. You want to leave this town too.”

Leif chews his lip. “Not anymore. And running was always a more dangerous plan.”

“You’ve stayed because she can protect you.” Kai jabs a finger at me. “And she can protect me.”

I clear my throat. “‘She’? I am in the room.”

“Sorry,” he mumbles. “Violet. But will you help me leave?”

“We can’t,” says Rowan, “No.”

“Yes,” I say at the same time as Rowan’s no, and he gawks at me. “If you bring us information about your father. But not only business dealings. Look for anything personal that appears odd.”

The others stare at me but at least don’t interrupt.

“Oh, yeah. He hides personal things.” Kai sneers. “Like the other woman. Women, probably.”

“Also, not a surprise. Would you surmise that you’ve unknown siblings?” I ask.

“Huh?”

“Secret kids,” says Grayson.

Kai’s jaw slackens. “No. Dad couldn’t hide that.”

Grayson scoffs. “Yeah. He could.”

“If Sawyer has other offspring, I hope that they’re under protection too,” I say.

“I’d know!” protests Kai. “Mum puts up with the affairs, even if she doesn’t know the half of it, but another kid? That’d be a deal breaker.”

“Good grief,” I say. “Isn’t human marriage a legally binding agreement to remain with one partner? Has she agreed to these dalliances?”

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