Page 62 of A Hint of Delirium

I cleared my throat. “You know what I mean.”

“Violet!”

“I don’t condone it, Ma, but he saved us. And he saved all the children and placed them in new homes. That has to count for something,” I said, trying to smooth things over.

She sighed loudly. “I was worried something like this would happen. Is it safe for me to come home now?”

“No,” I mumbled. “Not yet. Soon, though.”

“Why?” she asked suspiciously. “Is something else going on?”

“No, nothing major. We’re just taking some precautions,” I lied.

I should have told her the truth, but I was afraid if I did, she’d come running home. The last thing I wanted was to put my mom in the line of fire. Quite literally.

Not surprisingly, she was not convinced. “You’re not lying to me are you, Vi?”

I knew I wasn’t fooling her one bit. “Mom, don’t worry; you’ll be able to come back soon. I promise.”

We ended the conversation with I love you’s and goodbyes, but it left a bitter taste in my mouth to know I wasn’t being one-hundred percent truthful with my mother. I had to keep telling myself all the lies would keep her safe. At least I hoped they would.

* * *

After roamingthe safe house and getting the lay of the land, I settled back onto the living room sofa to watch television, casually channel surfing while I waited for Ansel to return. He’d been gone over an hour already. I wondered how much longer before he would return.

I was lost in thought while watching an episode ofTed Lassowhen I felt my lips tingle. I frowned, brushing my fingers over my lips and wondering what this weird sensation was. “What the hell?” I murmured, wondering if I was having an allergic reaction.

Suddenly, the front door was blown off its hinges. I bolted from the sofa and watched wide-eyed as Alec stormed into the supposedly ‘off the books’ safe house.

His mismatched eyes scanned the front room until they landed on me. A wicked grin slid across his handsome face. “Well … hello there.”

My eyes widened even further. “You could have knocked!” I shouted.

“Would you have opened the door?” he countered.

I shook my head. “No.”

“My point exactly.” He stormed toward me. I stumbled backward until my legs bumped against the coffee table. Just as I stumbled and was about to fall, Alec grabbed my arm. “You ran,” he stated matter-of-factly.

I pursed my lips and tilted my head, pondering his words. “I wouldn’t say I ran, per se. This was more like a temporary relocation.”

His grin widened and his uncanny eyes seemed to glimmer in the dim light. “You ran, Violet. You should know I enjoy a good chase.”

I turned rigid. “How did you find me?”

He smirked. “We made a deal, didn’t we?”

When Alec tapped his lips, I gasped, remembering the first time I’d met him and the bargain we made. In exchange for my freedom, he would possess some of my time.

I raised a brow. “The bargain we made led you here?”

He nodded. “Of course. When I call upon our deal, you are compelled to answer.”

I gulped. “Now’s not a good time.”

He chuckled. “I think now is a perfect time.”

“I have to wait for Ansel,” I argued lamely. “He’s not back yet. I can’t just leave. He’ll be worried!”

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