Page 92 of Dance With Death

I bite back ‘but what if she does?’. Has Violet ever considered the deaths of those she cares about? She must have considered the possibility and planned what to do.

The duckling quacks and struggles from the sweater, taking a wobbly walk towards Violet. She scoops up the bird and sets it in her lap.

“Then who do you want to reanimate?” I ask. “Because this sudden interest in magic that you’ve pushed aside makes no sense.”

“Viktor?” asks Leif cautiously.

She shrugs. Shrugs.

“That wouldn’t be possible. He’s too powerful,” I say. “And Dorian wants him alive and able to talk.”

“If Viktor harmed Holly, death is too good for him.” She stands and tucks the duckling into a pocket. Immediately a yellow and brown head pokes out.

This. Is. Insane. “Now where are you going?”

“To the vets probably,” says Leif. “Y’know. To find more dead animals.”

“Bloody hell, Leif,” I retort. “Don’t give Violet ideas.”

“That’s a horrible thing to say,” Violet replies. “I understand and share the love of animals, and I would not deny someone the closure they need with a deceased a pet.”

“Alright!” I throw my hands up, raising my voice. “Can we stop this stupid conversation?”

“Besides, I tried once before and the cat didn’t come back… correctly,” she continues.

“Violet!” I shout. “Where are you going?”

She waves her phone in my direction. “To see Holly.”

Grayson swears beneath his breath and crosses his arms. “She’s in a psych ward, Violet. Under watch.”

“And Holly messaged. She wants to see me. She doesn’t feel safe, and I agree.”

“Can you use some of the logical thinking you’ve learned recently?” I ask her, and Violet’s face sours. “Dorian’s people are watching Holly as closely as the humans. She’s safe tonight. If you, her, or both of you, want Holly to leave, you’ve a better chance tomorrow.”

Violet remains thin-lipped.

“Yeah. One crazy act today is enough,” puts in Grayson.

“I won’t let you go,” adds Leif.

“You propose to guard me and prevent me from leaving this room?” she asks and pockets her phone.

“If necessary, yeah.” Leif walks over to her. “Besides, you can’t take a duckling to the hospital.”

“Could be a useful distraction?” she suggests.

I step between Violet and the door. “I understand that today caused a lot of emotions you probably can’t cope with. I’ve also seen a lot recently that I never want to experience again.”

“I don’t trust anybody else around Holly.” Violet’s phone sounds an alert. “See? I bet Holly sent another message. I have to go to her.”

Violet pulls the phone from the duck-less pocket, and I snatch it from her. If the message is a plea from Holly, that won’t help the situation, and I’ll reply to tell Holly this.

I hear Holly’s unwell. Would you like to know how to help her?

Unknown number. I read the message again. Definitely not Holly.

“Rowan? I can feel your anxiety. What’s happened to Holly?” Violet snatches the phone from me. She doesn’t pale, but her blue eyes fill with dark storms.

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