Page 29 of Live To Tell

“Because he’s a teacher and part of his role is to protect and care for his students.”

“Ha. He wants the tiara. Is that why you went to the room? To retrieve the item for him?” I say.

“Why would I do that?” she retorts.

“An excellent question to which I shall find the answer.” I tap my fingertips on the wood. “As I will also find why Mr. Woodside wants this item. Is he a member of the Circle?” Her eyes go wide. Hmm. “Are you?”

“No, they’re not,” mutters Rowan. “We have all their names from Dorian.”

Mrs. Eldridge nods and gestures at Rowan. “What’s your obsession with this tiara, Violet?” she asks. “You’ve never explained. Worried someone will find evidence of your spell cast on Sienna unless your father takes it?”

“I know who Madison is.”

The woman attempts to maintain a neutral expression, but her pupils dilate. “Oh, really? Has Sienna’s story become more outlandish?”

“I know who Madison is,” I repeat, watching for more tells. “I wore the tiara too, remember, and I’m piecing together what happened.”

She flicks a look to Rowan. “Did you find anything interesting in the room last night?” I suck air between my teeth at her dismissing me. “I expect Mrs. Lorcan would check the inventory list if I tell her I caught a pupil breaking into the place.”

No response.

“Well, I suppose I’d best prepare for class,” I say.

As I turn away, Mrs. Eldridge speaks. “Violet. If the tiara had any significance, your father’s council would be all over it.”

I pivot back to face her. “Oh, he will be. Once I inform him what I know about Madison.”

Rowan walks alongside me as I stalk from the library. Other students wander along the hallways outside towards the classrooms, some more enthusiastically than others. I pause and step close to the wall by the library door.

“You don’t know anything about Madison,” says Rowan. “Why did you say that?”

“No, but Mrs. Eldridge does.” I push my tongue against my top teeth. “And I’d lay bets she’s on the phone to Mr. Woodside right now.”

Chapter 10

ROWAN

We hang back after class to speak to Mr. Woodside following a lesson where one of the human’s experiments exploded, and the acid burned holes in Sara’s uniform. Sara accused the witch girls beside her of using a spell, and the witches claimed prejudice, forcing Mr. Woodside to referee their spat.

Violet’s attendance is pointless, instead of paying attention she drew attention with the number of times Mr. Woodside told her to put her phone down.

I swear the last pupil is barely out the door before Violet strides over to where Mr. Woodside gathers up student papers on his desk. I'm on the verge of interrupting, but Violet instantly puts her unsubtle detective skills into practice.

“I'd like to speak to you,” she says.

He doesn't look at her, shuffling the papers then reaching for his black bag. “About Madison?” Violet's silenced, whatever rehearsed words due to leave her mouth cut dead. “Andrea told me you mentioned her name and that you seemed insistent I'd know something.” He looks up.

“And who is Madison?” she asks.

“You tell me.”

“If I knew the answer, I wouldn't ask.”

“So, you lied to Mrs. Eldridge?”

“Yes. Who is Madison?”

With a quiet sigh, Mr. Woodside pushes papers into his bag.

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