Page 60 of Live To Tell

“No.” She flicks a look to me. “Tonight.” Violet shakes her head in confusion and Holly huffs. “Where are you sleeping?”

“Oh!” Violet waves a hand. “As I informed you, I should’ve asked Rowan first. When I mentioned the possibility, he looked rather unimpressed.”

I choke. “No. I worried how Dorian would react. You’re welcome to uh sleep in my bed.”

How do I get the feeling this is about to go south?

“No. I’d made a presumption. I apologize.” She nods at Holly. “We’ll arrange something for another night, Holly.”

Yep. South.

“You don’t want Violet to stay with you, Rowan?” Holly looks between us in confusion.

“Apart from Rowan’s reticence, Josef’s appearance has unsettled me. I’d rather sleep in our room where I can keep an eye on you.”

I almost laugh. Reticence. Violet seriously can’t believe I’d say no. Or is she avoiding the situation? “Dorian has the academy under watch, Violet. Holly will be okay.”

Violet gives me a stern look. “Runes and potions?”

“Right,” I mutter.

“And we need to check on Grayson and Leif to ensure they’re safe.”

Holly takes Violet by the arm and pulls her to one side, whispering. Thanks, Holly, but you’re wasting your time.

I climb the steps into the bus, forced to dismiss thoughts of a night with Violet. Yeah, she should’ve asked me first, so I could’ve been crystal clear that I fucking dream of spending a night with her. Frequently. Literally.

As I flop into a seat, Chase smirks at me. “Violet’s staying with you tonight, huh?”

“No.”

“What the fuck? Why?” He sits forward and scowls. “You scared of her or something?”

“No,” I snap back, but a familiar niggle tugs at my mind.

Am I still that guy who’s too understanding and puts someone else first all the time, to the point I won’t speak up? I’d never pressure Violet into anything, but she’s walked all over the situation without any discussion. Again.

Chapter 22

VIOLET

Everybody appeared in an odd mood once we arrived at the academy. Frankly, I’ve become the albatross of Kai’s parties, the event doomed once I appear. Holly remained annoyed at me, and Rowan disappeared into one of his distracted moods ending the evening with ‘we need to talk’. Then left. Which is thoroughly confusing, as talking isn’t possible if all I can see is his back.

Grayson didn’t want to talk to anybody last night and sent Leif away when they returned. I messaged to check on Grayson and received a curt answer. I’m fine.

Me? I’m still in a bad mood several days later because I can not believe that Dorian walked away from Josef. I agree now is not the right time to take Josef out, but to let him walk away completely? I hope Dorian has a better lead on his movements than he once did.

Following our conversation at the family estate, Dorian sends people to the academy to ask questions—but not about the tiara. Witches ‘interview’ all staff members, with a little mind reading here and there, not disclosing exactly what they’re looking for but informing staff that the matter isn’t tiara related. Thanks, Dorian. Rub my nose in it, why don’t you?

Julius returns—thankfully unscathed—from his off-campus activities and investigators speak with him too. Good. He’ll know that I never mentioned him to Dorian and hopefully will trust us enough to supply the evidence we need. The man must realize that we’re his best hope.

I’m curious how the conversation and mind reading went with Mrs. Lorcan and Mrs. Eldridge and whether the investigators mentioned my potion. I heard raised voices between the headmistress and the witch investigators sent to the academy, the woman insulted by the insinuation she and her academy are under suspicion. Her academy.

Dorian decided to interview her and Mrs. Eldridge personally and one-on-one, which I was entirely too gleeful about. They deserve the ‘Dorian treatment’. Verbal, not physical. He’d reserve that for if they’re found guilty of involvement.

I presume the potion wasn’t mentioned, as nobody spoke to me, although I do know that the investigators visited the artifacts room with Mrs. Eldridge and took away some items in a box. Lead-lined no doubt. Dorian must be playing the academy investigation cards close to his chest.

The extremely pissed Mrs. Lorcan didn’t accost and talk to me afterwards, going as far as to avoid me completely. Although I did see Julius with Mrs. Eldridge again. I don’t a hundred percent trust either of them.

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