Page 64 of Live To Tell

“Yeah, the coven know I'm connected to you and they're not bloody stupid,” continues Rowan tersely. “Violet. I am not joining the Circle.” I open my mouth to protest. “Not happening. Not up for discussion. Understood?” I rub my cheek as he gives me a hard look. “Promise me you won’t do anything.”

Has Dorian said anything to his ‘inside man’ yet? I understand Rowan’s concerns, but we need to get into the society. I’ll speak to Dorian. “Alright.”

“And before you say anything, no, we are not sneaking into their headquarters,” Rowan adds.

“Obviously,” I retort, “Since we don't know the location.”

“Good,” says Leif.

“Why did you think the Circle was connected before the tiara and Whitegrove appeared?” asks Rowan.

He shrugs. “The name came up in my sleuthing and it made sense to me that someone with influence covered up what really happened. And as soon as I saw that tiara in the academy, I knew there would be answers because Madison wore the item the night she disappeared. I honestly never expected the tiara would come to light, so this is a sign!” His face lights up. “And a big one—seems Whitegrove gave me an answer. If the tiara belongs to his family, that guy in the photo could be a son. Nephew. Someone important.”

“Was Madison a member of the Circle?” I ask.

“Not a member—she was too young.” He wrinkles his nose. “But somehow she was involved with them. The guy in the photo? He's a good start. Find him.”

“Are you still in touch with Madison's two friends? Or at least the one who would speak to you?”

Julius takes the photos from Leif. “I haven't spoken to the women for years, but I'll try and contact them now we have a new person to identify.”

“I think the best bet is the USB footage,” says Leif. “How much is on there?”

“Couple of hours,” Julius replies, and his mouth turns down. “I only watched quickly. I can't cope with seeing my sister and knowing I'll probably never see her again.”

“I delegate you the task of watching the footage,” I say to Rowan.

“Why me?”

“I am not subjecting myself to two hours of teenage girl inanity. If you spot anything relevant, then I'll take a look.”

Rowan blows air into his cheeks. “I can't do anything before I've tracked down a laptop that has a USB port.”

“And I shall find relevant entries in the diary.”

Julius chews on a thumbnail. “I really am trusting you not to say anything,” he says quietly. “Remember, I don't want anybody to know who I am or that I'm investigating this.”

“Whereas I most certainly do want people to know.” I grin. “I want whoever's involved to worry because Violet Blackwood is on the case, and she always wins.”

Chapter 23

VIOLET

I’ve an odd sensation in my chest this evening that I can’t explain, somewhere between heartburn and fluttering palpitations. I must ask Dorian if that’s a side-effect from a damaged heart—he’s died several times and would know.

But the discomfort grows as the night continues, a scraping pain from my chest dragging into my stomach. I’ve experienced this before when worried about my friends, but I’ve no concerns tonight. Leif and Rowan are together looking over the footage, leaving me to look through the diary, and Grayson...Grayson.

I haven’t seen him today, too distracted to realize.

No, I don’t see him every day, this isn’t unusual. Nothing to worry about.

I attempt to settle—nobody’s under threat and my investigations are progressing nicely. Or they were because however many times I read over a page of Madison’s blue handwriting; nothing sticks.

A sudden need for fresher air and the cool evening on my skin pulls me from my room and out of Darwin House. Sometimes my skin itches with the desire to get away from warmth, but this time a prickling runs across my scalp, all the way along my spine to my toes.

Something’s wrong and my thoughts go to Rowan and the bond.

I text Rowan.

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