Page 103 of Live To Tell

Every touch and taste intensified Violet’s power over me, but in a way I never expected. My world smashed apart earlier that day, but with Violet I didn’t care that I’m standing in the ruins of my old life, only that she was with me, in my arms.

There’s no witch bond. No mutual desire for blood. But I’ve found a place in her heart, and she’ll always be a part of mine. I shake my head at myself. Violet isn’t the only one who scoffed at romantic words, and I never understood how people could think or say these things.

But then I’ve never opened up enough to love anybody. That’s the bond we have.

My stomach churns as I sit in the half-empty academy cafeteria, not touching the fries and energy drink that I bought myself for lunch. Nobody speaks to me apart from a quick hello, and the room fills with chatter from students around tables, which I filter out.

I’ve avoided time alone since the revelations, not wanting thoughts to seep through in the quiet moments like this, but today I can’t find Rowan or Violet. Now, I’m worried. Rowan lost his shit big time yesterday, refused to speak to me most of the day, which the moody git does sometimes.

I’m suspicious why he visited my room briefly, saying little, but wandering around, edgy. Rowan wasn’t pacing—the guy wants his stone back, because the moment I implied that’s the reason for his visit Rowan abruptly left.

That’s concerning.

Can Rowan and Violet hurt each other? I’m learning more each day about Violet’s ‘state’ and how a powerful witch like Rowan can match her unless she’s an unleashed hybrid, where her two sides joined together can overwhelm anybody. What if Rowan managed a spell she couldn’t resist before she could defend herself? Because he’s met her magic with magic of his own before and not lost against the hybrid.

If they fought, one or both might get hurt and unless Rowan’s feeding his darker magic, I’d lay bets one hundred percent that the guy would lose. But they’re bonded, right? The pair can’t intentionally harm each other.

I laugh to myself. There I go again, protective Leif, worrying about the delicate girl he loves, who’s anything but fragile.

Someone takes the seat opposite me at the table, and Rowan reaches out to steal one of my fries. I slant my head. He’s in uniform, different from the pale guy and his black mood from yesterday, although he looks tired.

“I’ve tried to contact you all morning,” I say. “Where were you?”

He eats, then reaches for a second fry. “Phone was off.”

“And Violet?” I scan what I can see of him outside of his uniform. No visible injuries. “Have you seen her?”

Rowan lifts his eyes to mine. “Yeah.”

“Vague. Everything okay? You talked things through with Violet?” I scratch my cheek. “You don’t look as mad today.”

“Yeah.”

I pull the plate back so he can’t reach my lunch when he attempts to take more. “Is everything okay?” I repeat.

“Violet apologized. Explained. Violet made a mistake, but she understands why I reacted the way I did.”

“Because when you lose your shit, magic takes over?” I look at him pointedly. “Your brain stops functioning and you turn into an unreasonable asshole.”

His mouth drops open. “Wow. That’s harsh.”

I eat a fry. “But true.”

Rowan looks around the cafeteria, then lowers his voice. “I was straight with her about a few things.”

“You did fight,” I say and groan.

“And resolved some issues.” He pulls on his bottom lip. “I’ve hidden part of myself from Violet.”

“That, I know,” I reply. “The side that came looking for the Willowbrook stone last night?”

His steel eyes don’t leave mine. “Or rather, Violet couldn’t see that side because she’s too caught up in herself. I’ve tried to explain several times what I am, and she’s finally listened.”

“How? What the hell did you do to her?”

I’ve explained Rowan’s past to Violet before, and his ambitions, but the spell we searched for hasn’t interested him lately, which unsettles me. Rowan might’ve found something else that he’s hiding from Violet, created by her. He is attracted to dark things—obviously.

“We did fight, but we didn’t hurt each other.” He pauses. “I also told her how I felt about the Kai’s party ‘thing’.”

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