Page 19 of Live To Tell

Violet’s gaze slides straight to mine as the breeze following me through the door causes my scent to reach her first. Violet can’t suppress her quickening heart—a heart that beats with my blood, something that’ll never change whatever happens between us in the future.

She tied back her hair today, revealing her slender neck, and the baggy black sweater swallows Violet's figure, only slim fingers visible. Forget that I can hardly see any of her skin, it’s the flicker of desire in Violet's impossibly blue eyes that’s the killer, and I’m pissed at the reminder I’m nowhere near ‘done’. I lied to her. I won’t ever be.

“You’re looking extra broody-bad-boy today,” says Rowan as I slide onto the bench beside Leif, hands in my jacket pockets.

“I have a reputation to uphold,” I say pointedly.

“You’re attracting attention, Gray. Deliberate?” asks Leif and nods at a group of girls watching us.

“It’s the leather,” says Violet casually. “And the hair. The pout too.”

I screw my face up at her. “Ha ha. They’re probably staring atyou.”

“I like the leather,” she continues. “The smell’s strong to my hybrid senses. Overpowering even.”

“I’m unsure how to take that comment,” I reply.

“When you wear that jacket, your own scent is weaker to me.”

Violet says this so casually, but my heart dives into my mouth. I’m making things easier for her? Eyes on Violet’s, I shrug off the jacket and dump it beside Rowan who sits opposite from me.

Rowan looks between us. “Everything alright?”

“Is it ever?” asks Violet, and I’m unable to detect if she’s referring to me or the state of the world.

“I hear you didn’t get your hands on the tiara last night,” I say. “What happened?”

Her expression grows poisonous, and Rowan relays their escapade to me.

“Your potion was in that room?” I ask, straightening as she takes it from a pocket. “Who has access apart from the librarian? All staff?”

“Not many,” says Rowan.

Violet spins the bottle in her hands. “I bet whoever stole this is the same person who drew the runes in Wesley's room. Mrs. Lorcan or the librarian must know something.”

“Why would Mrs. Lorcan take Violet’s potion and risk a hybrid attacking students inside the academy?” I ask.

“Yes. The hemia cause enough problems,” adds Leif. “No offense, Grayson.”

I scoff at him. “Sure.”

“The librarian?” Leif suggests.

“She would need a key to my room or access to one.” Violet places the bottle back in a pocket.

“But Mrs. Eldridge must keep a record of everything that’s stored,” says Rowan.

Violet rubs her chin. “Now the potion’s missing, let’s see what happens.”

“No, let’s see what happens when Dorian finds out,” I say with a smile.

“The theft wasn’t a student prank,” says Rowan.

“Did you take a look around the secret room at anything else?” asks Leif.

Oddly, Rowan averts his gaze and Violet glances at Leif.

“No. We weren't in the room long enough before Mrs. Eldridge arrived and accused us of planning to steal the tiara,” says Rowan.

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