Page 14 of For Dear Life

The sheer emotion surrounding Violet’s death swallowed reality because nothing like this would exist in my life before she entered the academy. Sure, seeing anybody with a fencepost through their chest would overwhelm them with shock and helplessness, but the response to Violet’s lifeless body hit me beyond anything I could imagine.

My heart hurt too, not in a ‘my girlfriend died’ way, but literally felt as if Grayson had torn mine out, not the witches. I couldn’t breathe, legs collapsing as I screamed her name. For the eternity she remained dead, the same dizzying darkness claimed every part of me. Body. Mind. And right down to the soul we share, all made ragged as death tore away my bonded witch.

Grayson and Leif coped with their shock better than I did, and I mechanically performed the spell to extinguish the fire, a simple elemental spell I could almost do in my sleep. Leif took her body from the post without anybody asking, barely speaking, but face devoid of color and whole body rigid.

I don’t know how he moved Violet because I turned away, vomiting, before composing myself and continuing to yell at the vamp. Grayson assured me over and over that Violet wasn’t dead. At least not in the way a witch or human would be. He insisted that a hybrid like her couldn’t be, but Grayson must’ve thought her death possible if he reacted the way he did.

The longer Violet didn’t move or breathe—with no heartbeat—the thinner the thread between us became and the more my anguish grew.

Then Violet came back to us.

The monstrous wound from the fence post began to heal even before she started breathing again—something else Grayson pointed out as a sign her death was temporary. Within minutes, Violet barely noticed, only grumbling about the blood and how weak her muscles felt—blood I kept Grayson well away from. Fortunately for him, his own trauma kept him focused on the huge mistake and heart in his hand, more than the amount of Violet’s blood soaking her.

Within minutes, Violet returned to normal.

Or her version of normal, anyway.

Violet’s response stuns me. She’s pissed about the post-death physical weakness, but as soon as she gathered herself, Violet returned to her ‘business as usual’ persona. Through the bond, I felt that Violet’s almost happy she died; pleased that there’s no longer doubt about her immortality.

Yeah, well, I’m far from pleased. I’m still bloody terrified something else will happen. What if there’s a delayed response to her death and Violet needs help?

If Violet thinks I’m leaving her alone tonight, she’s wrong.

After leaving Holly at Marci’s, not stopping to talk, I shower and change. What will Holly tell Marci? Because she made a few pointed comments to me about the blood on my jeans. Without a clean shirt from Zeke, I wouldn’t have managed to dismiss the blood as ‘nothing much’.

I shudder. Today wasn’t the best circumstances to meet Violet’s fathers, and I’m happy if I don’t see Dorian again anytime soon, and even happier that I’m not Grayson.

And now? I knock on Violet’s door, readying myself to fight against her if she tells me to leave.

“If you’re here to kill me, I’ve had a trying day and I’m not in the mood. Come back tomorrow,” she calls from inside the room.

I smile wryly and call back, “Do you really think shouting that would stop someone from walking in and killing you?”

The door opens and a fresh-faced Violet appears, dressed in black sweatpants and a familiar black and white striped sweater. How many does she own? She looks me up and down, then scratches her cheek. “Did something happen?”

“Um. Yeah. The girl I’m bonded to died and I’m freaking out,” I reply. “Can I come in?”

Violet pauses before pulling the door open further and silently allowing me into the room.

“I thought something else must be wrong if you came back,” she says.

“I thought you were headed to bed?” I ask and point at the papers strewn across.

“Why? Is that your intention? To climb into bed with me?” I open my mouth to respond, but she continues. “I wanted to make some notes while everything’s fresh in my mind. Although my head is rather fuzzy. Things aren’t connecting properly.”

“That would be the death and blood loss,” I say lightly and close the door. “Violet, you should sleep.”

Her lips purse and she points at the burner phone. “Nobody called yet. I’m waiting.”

“That’s good. One less thing to deal with tonight.” I walk to her bed and begin gathering the papers, then place them in a pile on her desk.

“Why did you return?” she asks, surprisingly not interrupting my action.

“I have something for you.” I dive a hand into my pocket and pull out a bar of chocolate. Violet stares. “You’ve hardly eaten. I’d take you on one of our fun dinner dates, but guess you’re not in the mood. And it’s late.”

She lifts her eyes to mine. “Why? Are you worried I might attack a student to replenish my blood?”

“No. I’m worried about you. Yeah, a chocolate bar isn’t exactly a lot, but that’s all I have.”

---