Page 78 of For Dear Life

Violet explains everything I missed, interspersed with odd comments about ‘the Spring Ball nightmare’, ‘that Marci girl’, and a calico cat—and she seems particularly upset about Rowan and cookies.

How are things between Violet and Rowan? I don’t know the witch well, but the guy’s usually a loner and only Leif ever put up with his snotty, superior attitude. Now he’s bonded to Violet, who treats him as an extension of herself. Because she feels vulnerable admitting he’s not only a ‘bonded witch’ but a guy she likes and relies on?

Does Violet know this seemingly quiet guy triggers easily and has a massive temper? He can’t and won’t hide that part of who he is, and I’ve pictured the pair clashing. The result would be amusing but dangerous. Has Violet shown him her hybrid side or am I the only one? Although even I haven’t seen the hybrid side. Not totally.

Everything she tells me backs up some of Josef’s story, and I hate I’m about to extinguish some of the shine in her eyes with my news.

A breeze lifts Violet’s hair, scattering the mingled scents across my room. “Violet. Are you standing by the window so you can’t smell me?”

She pushes her tongue against her top teeth. “What happened with Josef that you should report to me?”

“You’ll be surprised when I tell you,” I say.

“I don’t think you can predict my responses, Grayson.”

I shrug. “Fine. Josef isn’t involved with the witches. He wants you to kill them because they’re threatening Sawyer and Kai. He’s setting up a meeting to put you and them in the same location.”

She remains stony faced as I outline the conversation I had with Josef. “One, I don’t believe your uncle isn’t connected. Two, I don’t intend to kill the witches, because if they die, I’ve nobody to hand over as a culprit for the murders or necromancy.”

I scratch my cheek, recalling the latter part of his demands. “Josef also wants me to subdue you until somebody discovers Violet Blackwood and the dead witches.”

She slants her head. “Subdue or kill?”

I choke indignantly. “I wouldn’t kill you, Violet. Apart from the fact I care about you a lot, that’d be my death sentence at Dorian’s hands.”

“That and you’d lose against me anyway,” she says casually. “You would die.”

“Maybe.”

“Depending on my mood and level of savagery, yes.”

I blow air into my cheeks. “The bastard also threatened to kill me permanently if I don’t help with this plan.”

She moves from the window towards me and tips her head back. “Then we need to deal with the threat to your life. Because either way, this doesn’t look good for your health if you disobey Josef.”

“Yeah. And he’ll make my death look like your handiwork too.”

She’s still for a few moments, and even though Violet’s hiding herself, the blood running closer to her skin betrays her speeding heart. “I would never kill you, Grayson. Not on purpose.”

On purpose. I shake my head. “Dorian would be proud if you did kill a Petrescu.”

“And I shall.”

“What?”

“Your uncle, not you,” she says. “Once the time is right.”

“I hope you’re joking.”

Her face says not. “Did Josef say when and where this meeting would be?”

“No. Not yet.”

“And you’ll tell me if you hear?”

“Yes. But what if I’m lying to you about all this?” I ask. “Is there something between us that would stop you from killing me?”

“You’re a friend. I wouldn’t kill a friend and would also hope your affection for me would prevent you aiding in framing me.”

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