Page 214 of Beautiful Venom

The bat stops in midair.

The scream turns into a gasp.

Violet…?

For a moment, I think I’m in a dream. The light casts a shadow on her angelic features.

It’s really Violet.

She stands there, awake, alive, and soreal, it knocks the breath from my chest.

Her strawberry blond hair looks thicker and glossier than I remember as it falls in soft waves, framing a face that’s no longer pale and hollow.

Her skin glows with health, flushed, alive, and her eyes—those deep, familiar blue eyes—are wide and filled with a spark I thought I’d never see again.

She looks…different. Still soft and demure, but there’s a void in her gaze. As if her soul was broken and she hasn’t exactly gathered all the pieces.

Still, I see my sister in those eyes.

Here.

Awake.

There’s grace in the way she holds herself, the way she looks stunning even when wearing a simple gray sleep shirt.

The bat falls from her hand and clatters to the old wooden floor as she whispers, “Dahlia.”

“Viiiii!” I jump her in a hug, wrapping my arms around her so tight, I’m surprised I don’t crush her.

My tears flow again from both joy and anguish.

Pain and relief.

Vi’s back.

Vi’s here.

She sniffles and hugs me tighter, her fingers stroking my hair. “Don’t cry.”

“Am not.”

“You so are.”

“You’re crying, too.”

“Am not!”

We both chuckle as we face each other, tears streaming down our cheeks.

I take her hands in mine and study her closely. “You okay? Do you feel any pain anywhere?”

She smiles through the tears. “I’m fine.”

“Is it true…? That you woke up a long time ago and made a deal with Julian to test his drug and be put in a coma?”

She hangs her head. “Yeah, I’m sorry.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

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