Page 40 of Live To Tell

“Other than sharing my breathing space and taking my possessions, nothing upset me.”

With another scoff, Beth and Cassie stalk away towards the bright and welcoming hotel entrance.

“Is Beth implying Sienna performed an action against me in an attempt to bully?” I scrape through my brain. Nothing. “Surely the runes and potion theft weren’t her.”

“What did Dorian say about that?” asks Rowan as he takes my hand and leads me after Holly and the other students.

“He’s concerned.”

“But not about the tiara, like I predicted,” says Grayson.

I rub my cheek. “No. And now Julius Woodside has disappeared.”

“He hasn’t disappeared, Violet,” puts in Leif. “He’s at a training course for a couple of days.”

Pausing, I turn to him. “How do you know?”

“Hey, I can keep an eye on everything happening too.” Leif moves to the other side of me, and we continue walking. “A couple of teachers went.”

“I do hope that’s the truth and he doesn’t go missing before we get more information from him,” I say tersely. “I hate wasting time and I especially hate additional victims. What if Julius becomes one before we extract anything useful?”

“The only person who seems to know anything is Mrs. Eldridge,” Rowan says.

“You didn’t tell him about Julius?” asks Leif.

“No. What would be the point if Dorian doesn’t care about a possible murder? We’d upset Julius and he won’t give us any of Madison’s items to work with,” I reply.

“If he does,” says Grayson.

“Oh, the man knows he’s struck gold if I’m helping.” The guys snort a laugh at me, and I glare. “If we’re helping.”

“How will you get the tiara back?” asks Grayson. “Don’t you need that?”

“Eventually, but let’s see what Julius’s objects hold for us—enough to demand the tiara’s return for examination,” I hope.

Leif and Rowan exchange a glance. They don’t believe Dorian will get involved. As Grayson wanders ahead with Rowan, I catch Leif’s arm. He glances down in surprise.

“Do you still have Rowan’s stone?” I ask quietly.

“Yeah. In my room. Don’t stress.”

“Promise me you won’t give it back to Rowan.”

Leif sighs. “I already promised. He hasn’t asked for the stone either, okay?”

I nod. “Tell me if he does.”

“Because they prompt his shadows. I know.” He blows air into his cheeks and looks at the back of Rowan’s head. “He’s calmer since… you and him. Less obsessive about magic.”

“I don’t believe that’s true. Rowan’s innate desire to become a powerful witch hasn’t ended because he met me.” I watch Rowan too. “He’s clearly in touch with Blackwood shadows and they can have an unwanted influence. Tell me if you think he’s behaving unusually.”

Leif takes my hand and squeezes. “We’ve watched out for each other for years, Violet. I won’t help Rowan with anything that’s dangerous to him or others—you’ve seen me deal with him.”

The shifter attack. The first time I saw Rowan’s shadows. My worry settles a little. Leif stopped him then.

“Well then,” I say. “Let us hope the evening passes quickly and without incident. How long until we can leave?”

Leif’s amusement follows me as I stomp onwards to my latest purgatory.

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