Page 80 of Live To Tell

“You’ll discover that once your lives become tied that you’re bound, Violet. All of you. Choose wisely.”

“But isn’t that the point, Ethan?” she says coolly. “I’m not choosing.”

Chapter 28

VIOLET

I’ve never met or socialized with any shifters beside Ethan and Zeke, and as I sit in the meeting room, I’m struck by how I’m pulled into yet another unfamiliar world due to my life melding with another’s.

Leif’s importance to me is a bigger reason for my being here than any investigation into the deaths and necromancy. I’m told I should count myself lucky the attendees allowed me to join them in sitting at the carved meeting table. I perch on the matching oak bench alongside Ethan, between him and Leif. Leif’s hand stays in mine beneath the table, and I’ve assured him he’ll walk away with Ethan and I after the meeting, with a guarantee from shifters to leave him alone.

The elder I clashed with at the station doesn’t smile at me—or anybody—and the atmosphere clouds with distrust and animosity. At least one of the men present, a shifter with a shaved head called Theo, greets Ethan with a smile, the pair relaxed enough with each other that they must be familiar. Is he here as referee? Because he sits slightly further back from the two elders and hasn’t said a word.

Due to the murders, Ethan and Zeke’s attempts to broker peace has become more than persuading elders they can’t just ‘collect’ anybody with shifter blood to bolster their community. The Ursas have lost people, and their relationship with the town is in tatters. Ethan suggested Sawyer join our visit to present at least an illusion of unity, but the elders refused.

The rather un-charming elder I met at the station the night authorities arrested Leif leads the meeting. Moments into discussions, he leans forward, massive forearms on the table as he fixes his feral eyes on me over everybody else. “What happened to Viggo?”

I consider my words carefully. “Soup tins and shelves.”

“You knew this, Roderick,” says Ethan.

“And the necromancy?” he asks, ignoring Ethan. “Why let Viggo die?”

“You wanted me to reanimate him?” I ask, eyes wide.

“No.” He leans further forward. “I’m asking, if you used your foul magic on other shifters why not him?”

“We’ve spoken about that,” says Ethan evenly, but there’s a growl to his tone. “Violet wasn’t involved. Neither was her mother.”

“We’ve no proof the witches used necromancy,” says the shifter beside him, the pony-tailed guy I encountered at the police station. “More likely mind control.”

“Which is why you need to find Trent,” I butt in. “To see his true state. Proof!”

“Trent’s a possible danger to others,” says Ethan. “If the necromancer controlling Trent is still out there, who knows what might happen.”

“Trent has gone,” says Roderick stiffly.

“Do you mean he left?” I ask. “Do you know where?”

He regards me again. “Gone.”

Leif’s hand tightens around mine. “You killed him?” I ask. “What a stupid move.”

“Violet...” warns Ethan.

“But if the shifters did kill him, they made a mistake. Trent was our link to the necromancers.” I look to my father then back to Roderick. “What if there’re more shifters turned into constructs inside your settlement and you’re unaware? You need to check everybody.”

The pony-tailed shifter, Roderick’s apparent right hand man, sneers. “Yeah. The Blackwood wants his witches in here interfering with our minds. Not happening.”

“No. In order to search for more constructs, not interfere with minds, Deacon. We don’t know how deeply this goes,” says Ethan. “If more shifters kill, the problems you face will worsen.”

“Are you implying I can’t control my people?” snarls Roderick.

“The shifters wouldn’t be your people anymore, that’s the point,” I say.

“Violet, you’re supposed to keep out of this,” warns Ethan. Sealing my lips, I cross my arms and sit straighter. “Look, we’re trying to help, not interfere. You know that’s always my aim.”

“We don’t need help,” says Deacon.

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