Page 128 of Live To Tell

“Good grief!” Violet jumps down and taps the side of Grayson’s head, hard. “Trent knows things. If his unlife ends, that information is lost.”

“Ah, there’s the Violet I know,” he says with a half-smile.

Ignoring him, she turns back to me. “We won’t all go. Viktor never saw Leif and only knows the three of us are here. Grayson can wait hidden outside the house, and Leif nearby again. Rowan, it’s better that you come with me.”

“Because I can’t protect myself like they can?” I retort.

“What an odd thing to say. We are both aware that isn’t true. No, we stay together for magical strength. I sensed Viktor is stronger than my witch side—like you are. If he attacks, I’d need help to stop him overcoming me before my full hybrid can take him on at full force.”

“Bad idea all round, especially if you’re ‘full hybrid’ emerges,” says Leif. “Let’s go.”

Violet puffs air into her cheeks. “No. Don’t worry. I’m not walking into that house until we’re sure Viktor left. He won’t hang around.”

“I bloody hope you’re right, Violet,” I say. “Message Dorian. Tell him where you are in case we need him.”

“Dorian can’t travel to us using blood runes,” she reminds me. “He never visited the location when his investigators did. The closest he’ll get is the cafe on the edge of town.”

“Still, he should know,” I say.

Violet nods. “I’ll message him. Grayson, can you conceal yourself somewhere closer to the Brightgroves’ place and let us know when the van leaves?”

As Violet hops back onto the stile, I fold my arms over my chest and stand in front of her. “What we spoke about... if Viktor comes back and anything happens to me.”

She runs her tongue along the back of her top teeth. “I’d kill him before he managed to end your life.”

“Excuse me?” says Leif in shock.

“Rowan has requested I don’t interfere with natural events should he die.” Violet’s eyes bore into me. “But you’re being extremely fatalistic.”

“If that witch is the one behind the plot against Kai and your father’s council, and he’s stayed hidden, don’t underestimate him.”

She hops down and takes both my hands in hers. “Then I hope he knows not to underestimate me.”

Chapter 43

VIOLET

As we wait for Grayson, I hear the slam of the van door and start of the engine and wait impatiently for him to return and reassure Rowan and Leif that Viktor left. He takes a few minutes—Grayson pursued the van, ensuring Viktor left the area and didn't turn back. Rowan relaxes. A little.

“Joe climbed into the van alone,” says Grayson. “Trent must be in the house.”

Leif takes a ragged breath. The whole time Grayson watched and waited; Leif remained quiet. Everything we’ve witnessed feeds into his fears. The elders offered Leif protection from exactly what’s happened to Trent: abuse and possible death by witches.

I promised to protect Leif, and I will. With everything I have.

“I'm not going in there,” says Leif.

“No. We won't all go in. Like I said, me and Rowan will. You two stick together somewhere you can watch anybody else approach the house.”

If they've the element of surprise between them, they can subdue a witch long enough for me and Rowan to join the scene and help.

I take Grayson's arm and guide him to one side. “I hope I don't need to tell you to leave internal organs where they belong.”

“And I hope I don't need to tell you to stay away from fence posts,” he says quietly.

I’d hoped my unhelpful physical reaction to Grayson would calm now I’d accepted what he is to me, despite his blood in my veins. A stupid conclusion because our mingled blood rushes to the surface along with my own as he strokes my cheek with cool fingers.

“There are no fence posts, and even if there were, I'll be inside an attic.”

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