Page 46 of Dead and Gone

"And if a Redridge wants the mole back?" He chews his lip. "The eyes would be fake."

"Yes, and my father can meet them and explain what has happened." I smile. "Or they may be the one who needs to explain why they want the gems.”

The curator's jaw tightens. "Who are you to decide what's right or wrong?"

"I feel I have a better moral compass than you," I reply. "And I am trusting thatallthe money will contribute to museum upgrades. If I suspect otherwise, Iwillreconsider my decision."

"Violet?" asks Grayson in shock.

"What you did is wrong, Mr. Wright. But for now, the secrets in your museum matter more to me than what's missing from the exhibits. You will assist me in uncovering the past."

He's silent for a long moment, conflict apparent on his face. "And why should I trust you?"

"Because you have no choice." I smile. "Otherwise, you risk ruining your reputation, and the museum's closure."

How many families with witch ancestry and traces of magic in their blood possess items with hidden magical pasts? Are many in museums despite my father sweeping the places for magic artifacts? Clearly, some families donated items after the supernatural council purged the museum.

I haven't found all the answers tonight, nor has the curator told us everything. In good time, he will—because I won't stop until I know this was merely a personal scheme to secure the museum's future.

I'm about to become a close acquaintance of his.

In a world where the supernatural hid themselves for hundreds of years, not every supe would be prepared to let go of secret influences on the town once the humans discovered our existence. What else might I find if we dig further into this community of witches, humans, vampires, and shifters?

Who would've thought a deceased, stuffed mole could uncover so much dirt?

18

I feelas if I might take root in this booth at the café, but at least the place is an escape from Thornwood's campus. Leif likes the chocolate muffins sold here, and Holly insists the coffee isto die for, an expression that once alarmed me. Since discovering Holly doesn't, in fact, want to swap her life for a superior beverage, I've added the idiom to my mental list of phrases to remember.

The aroma of thedeath-inducingcoffee drifts across the table, and Leif munches on the muffin. Curiously, Grayson doesn't eat or drink anything, something quietly noted by the worried expression on Rowan's face. Is Grayson's hemia nature beginning to take hold, and is food now losing its appeal? I continue to hope that my half-witch state will prevent me from wanting to sustain myself with blood.

I would've protested that I'd rather spend time researching our findings, but Holly is upset that we left her out of the full investigations. She should know why I want to keep her away from that side of my life.

"Did you pull off the museum curator's mask and reveal he's a witch?" asks Holly, smirking at us over the top of her cup.

Rowan groans at her, and Leif fights a smile, too.

I gawk. "Excuse me? Did you not listen to my explanation? The museum curator is not a witch, and why would he wear a mask?"

Holly bites her lip and glances at amused Leif. "You would be Scooby and Rowan could be Shaggy." His amusement drops. "Not because you're like Scooby but because you're a…" She trails off as Leif's mouth hardens. "Sorry."

Leif grunts and my confusion grows. "Do you know something, Holly? Is Mr. Wright a witch? How wouldyouknow?" I ask.

"Holly's talking about a dumb TV show," says Grayson.

"One of many she watches," I say pointedly.

"Mr. Wright isn't a witch, but I've started looking further into the Historical Society's committee." Rowan crosses his arms. "I don't believe the curator worked alone. He doesn't strike me as capable of masterminding plans."

"Yes. Do continue. You're making more sense than Holly."

"Remember the old couple we met at the museum? They're the Smythes. Mabel came from a founding family—the Parkers, and Reginald was on the town council when he was younger. They're not witches, so may not know about magical gems, but they would be invested in the town's history."

"I still think someone knew what the rubies were," says Grayson.

"Yeah, because it's weird how herandomlyfound rubies in a stuffed mole," adds Leif. "Did you give the gems and pocket watch to Dorian yet, Violet?"

"I'm meeting him later."

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