Page 132 of Live To Tell

“Stop him from harming Trent, then.” He tightens his grip on Leif's hair.

“You think you'll walk away tonight?” I growl.

“Untouched by you, maybe not. But I will. I always do.” He sighs. “Your witch and vamp can't get through the door. A magical lock that'd take even your cleverer than average witch too long to break through.”

I teeter on the ledge between unleashed hybrid and rational Violet. But Leif. If he loses rationality, he could do what Viktor says. Lacerations and a rune? The lacerations need adding to the body and that’s Leif’s purpose here.

“You're pathetic,” I spit out. “Weak. You'd rather manipulate people than work with them? Kill a girl to be your construct because nobody would ever love you? Madison poisoned herself rather than spend another moment near you.”

He blinks at me, then his face twists, anger shining in his cruel eyes. “Kill the fucking shifter, Leif. Protect Violet.”

“I don't need protecting! Leif!” I shout as he unsteadily approaches Trent and looks down. Where are Grayson and Rowan? Can they really not get through the door?

He purses his lips and frowns at Leif who has his fists curled by his sides, panting as he fights his thought. “Will you just bloody shift, Leif?” he says.

Leif’s eyes close, breath laboring further. “I don’t. Can’t.”

“Fine—you’re strong enough. Break his neck instead.” Leif shakes his head hard, mumbling to himself. “Violet’s in danger, Leif.”

“I am not!” I shout. “Look at me.”

If Leif turns, he’ll see the changes to my face, the move towards hemia features—blacker eyes and sharp teeth. He’ll witness how my nails tear into Viktor. How I’ll kill him before he bends Leif to his will.

How can a witch meld necromancy and mind magic into this halfway state afflicting Leif?

“You’d do anything to protect Violet. Just fucking do it!” yells Viktor.

Leif lurches towards Trent, hands aiming for his neck, and I dart over to snatch both his arms before he can touch the shifter. “Leif! Look at me.”

This is the guy who held me tight at the memorial, using his strength he usually holds back. The guy terrified he’d see blood on his hands inside his memories of Wesley’s death. Scared that he’s a construct.

Even killing an undead Trent would destroy Leif.

Leif attempts to take hold of me, but this isn’t the memorial. I won’t yield. My instinct is to claw, but with a yell, I uppercut him, needing him unconscious before he tries to fight me, and I end up causing serious damage. The punch propels Leif backwards and as he lands on boxes behind him, my heart lodges in my throat. What if I hit him too hard? Broke his neck?

I dash over and crouch down. He’s whiter, eyes closed, but lips parted in shallow breaths. As I reach out to touch his head, I’m caught by the sight of my inhumanly long nails, my thoughts blending into the hybrid mist.

Who’ll miss Joe Smith? The necromancer who’s already dead and who constructed a new life for himself?

I’m on my feet in half a breath, shoving Viktor hard in the chest, nails tearing at his jacket. He coughs as the breath leaves his lungs. “At least solve your mystery before you kill me,” he rasps. “Madison Riverborn? She didn’t poison herself. I knew her plan, but Madison changed her mind.”

I fist his jacket, nails scraping the edge of his neck. “She’s alive?”

“A tip for the future, Violet. Until they turn, you won’t discover if a construct will be fully compliant. I've made mistakes and had to kill them in the past. Quite recently, too.”

“Is she alive?” I shout.

“I poisoned Madison.” I almost drop my grip in disgust at his sneer. “Weak girl. Rude girl. The things she called me… I couldn’t take the risk she’d misbehave when mine, so I forced the fucking poison down her throat.” His teeth clench. “That girl ruined my life just like your father fucked up our society.”

“You’re part of this?” I pull Viktor forward and slam him against the wall, winding the bastard again. “The plan against Dorian. Deaths. Where’s Madison’s body?”

“Look at how your corrupt soul can hurt someone you love. Grayson and now Leif.” He smirks, ignoring me. “Magic that we hold can never be constrained, Violet. Rowan will learn to give himself over to the wonderful gift you've handed him.”

My hands shake and I jerk my head around. Leif’s definitely breathing. I haven’t hurt him. I only meant to subdue Leif. To stop him from ruining his life.

Viktor pulls something from his pocket and holds up a small pen knife, then flicks open the blade. “Such an ordinary human implement that can cause so much trouble.” Blood stains the tip. The knife used for the rune.

“That’s the weapon you have? Because your magic won’t stop me either.” I bare my teeth close to his face, moving a hand to circle his throat.

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