Page 91 of For Dear Life

“We won’t get caught,” I reply. “I’ve already thought about this. What we’ll do is—”

“Stop!” Rowan holds up a hand, palm out. “No.”

The word skitters across my frayed nerves. “Pardon?”

“I said, no, Violet.” His steel-blue eyes are harder than I’ve seen for some time. “I won’t help you. We need to be more logical about this.”

As I clench my jaw, a muscle twitches in his and we refuse to break each other’s challenge.

“Very well,” I say eventually and turn towards Darwin House.

I’ve barely taken any steps when Rowan shouts after me, “Is that it? No discussion?”

“What is there to discuss? You’ve told me you won’t help. That’s a clear statement.” I continue walking. Perhaps Grayson can help instead if he’s around and is amenable? Although there is always the risk he might extract someone’s internal organs.

“Talk to me.” Rowan sprints by and spins to face me, cheeks mottled red.

“Have you changed your mind?” I ask.

“No.”

“Then I’ll speak to you later. I’ve things to plan.” I sidestep. Rowan does the same. I’m struggling to understand the energy coming from him. He’s upset about Leif, naturally, but why aim that frustration at me? “If you don’t want to help—”

“Leif’s my best friend, Violet,” he interrupts, voice strained. “Of course, I want to fucking help, but in the right way.”

“How is our releasing Leif and hiding him until we solve the murders not the correct way?” I shake my head. “What if that awful shifter elder finds a chance to take him?” Rowan digs hands deeper into his pockets and continues to glare. “Don’t give me that look, Rowan. I’m beginning to decipher what it means.”

“The ‘my girlfriend really is crazy, and I don’t know how much longer I can stop her doing crazy shit’?”

“Girlfriend?” Rowan’s energy grows more erratic, and I sigh. “Your agitation greatly outstrips mine earlier.”

Rowan swears. Several times, then walks away, towards the cloisters that lie between Darwin House and the main building. “Go find Grayson. Maybe you’ll listen to him,” he calls as he goes.

“Why? Does he have some information for me?” I ask hopefully.

“Bloody hell, Violet,” Rowan yells as he stops and turns back. “Do you ever think like a normal person?”

“Was that a rhetorical question, Rowan? Because you’re well aware of the answer.”

“Taking evidence on the day of Wes’s memorial and the toe removal? Unwise, but I helped. Breaking through security to take a whole person? I’m drawing the line.”

“Then how do you propose to help Leif?” I ask evenly.

“Sanely. With a human attorney for Leif. Help from your fathers.”

“You trust that human authorities can beat whoever these witches are?” I scoff. “Fine. You don’t need to help, Rowan. I understand if you want to avoid trouble.”

“Trouble?” His voices rises in pitch. “The day I’d never avoid trouble again is the day I met you, Violet. And now we’re fucking bonded!”

I snap my head back. “Yes. I’m acutely aware of that situation. And I don’t appreciate the yelling, Rowan. Go away and calm down.”

Instead, Rowan swears—at me—and drags me towards the edge of the covered cloisters, close to where I encountered Grayson the Vigilante. Something in his aura triggers hairs to stand on my arms and not through any emotion—from his sparking magic.

“I don’t appreciate you implying that I’m turning my back on my best friend if I don’t do what you say,” he says through gritted teeth.

“Rowan. Calm down. Your agitation will lead to an unfortunate magical incident, and Leif isn’t here to intervene.”

This time, I stumble as Rowan grabs my face in both hands. “Will you just speak to me normally, Violet? Stop hiding behind words.”

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