Page 61 of For Dear Life

“You did!”

“I had someone check the lodge,” he says, ignoring me. “No body or signs someone’s repairing the damage. Perhaps Sawyer hasn’t visited since he’s ‘forgotten’ about that day?” Dorian pushes his tongue against a canine. “We don’t have anything to go on, Violet.”

“Shifter connections?” I ask hopefully.

“There’s a contract of shifter rights to part of the land bestowed by Sawyer. One of the witches—Underhill—witnessed the deeds, as did Josef Petrescu. I’m investigating whether he’s an attorney to both men. I’ve failed to find anything useful about Woodlake.”

I flop back in my chair. “No shifter connections?”

“There are, because supes were involved in the deal for the land between Sawyer and shifters.” Dorian gathers the images into the folder. “I’m unsure if this is a case of a human who’s found themselves in trouble after something went wrong with witches he trusted or if they’re helping him with something in return for... something.” He huffs. “Whichever way, this involves shifters.”

“Maxwell intended to murder Kai,” I remind him.

“Like I said, shifters are involved, and the necromancers are connected to Sawyer’s witch buddies. Neither of that pair are necromancers, as far as we know, but we could also be wrong.” He opens the door again. “Either way, the human’s bitten off enough to choke him to death, and if the witches don’t end Sawyer, the shifters might.”

I lower my voice. “You need to find what happened to Rory’s body. And to Oz.”

“Mmm. Ethan’s trying to gain entry to the settlement.” He gestures at me to leave. “Either Oz will kill, and the witches will leave a Blackwood-runed victim, or he’ll be the victim, as Rory was. The witches no doubt took his body to hide their tracks.”

“Can’t you find and talk to these three witches? Where do they normally live?”

“Overseas, yet these photos are recent. No UK address. There’s also no knowledge of them at any addresses we have on file.”

“What do we do now?” I ask Dorian as he escorts me out. “How do we find Oz or—”

“His next victim?” interrupts Dorian. “We can’t, Violet. I suggest you stay on campus while I look further into these witches. Hopefully your Petrescu ‘friend’ might bring some information back from his visit.”

“If Grayson comes back,” I say. “You do know what Josef does to him?’

“Yes, Violet. That’s why I don’t trust the kid.” He fixes me with what I can only call his ‘dad stare’. “Are you... involved with the Petrescu boy?”

“Grayson. And he’s a friend. You know that.”

“He hasn’t taken your blood.”

I huff. “No.”

“Your blood is extremely precious, Violet,” he says quietly. “You know not to share.”

“With a Petrescu? Yes, Dorian,” I say wearily. “Rest assured that although I may entertain others touching me, I do not entertain the idea of sharing my blood.”

“Touching?” he asks sharply. “In what way?”

“Seriously, Dorian?” I retort. “And what were your extra-curricular activities at eighteen?”

He leans towards me. “You know the answer to that, as does every other bastard out there, especially ones who want to challenge me.” Dorian licks his fingers and smooths down my hair, and I growl at him, treating me like his little girl. “You and I could have a father-daughter chat about boys and staying safe.” He laughs at my horrified look. “But we both know that the only safety concern is for the boy’s life.”

As Dorian steps back and adds more condescension with his smile, I return an unruffled look. “Well, then. How fortunate I don’t consort with boys.” His smile slips. “But I will bear your words in mind, father.”

I startle as Dorian’s fingers curl around my upper arm. “Never, ever allow that Petrescu to take your blood, Violet Blackwood.”

“Because that’s a threat to my life or to your pride, Dorian?” I ask. “You’re behaving as if an intimate relationship between your daughter and a Petrescu is worse than several murder accusations against me.”

“Intimate relationship?” His voice thickens with animosity. “Stick with the witch.”

If only he understood. The quiet and seemingly unthreatening Rowan could take magic from me that’s a bigger threat to Dorian than sharing my blood with Grayson. Grayson stated he doesn’t want power. Rowan clearly told me he does and already touched the shadows—and once was without my involvement.

“Dorian,” I say softly and place my fingers on his warm hand. “When will you learn that teaching me to be like you was never a smart idea? Because Dorian Blackwood never once listened to what another told him to do—or not to do. Therefore, you’ll struggle to teach me too.”

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