Page 83 of Live To Tell

“Like they knew about these necromancers you claim exist?” asks Roderick. “You come here offering to help. To keep us safe. Negotiate with the town. Our future lies with heirs, just as Sawyer’s does. You return Leif to us, for everybody’s sake.”

I’m scrambling to catch up to what’s happening when Ethan slams a hand on the table, silencing everybody—including quiet voices outside the door to the shifter’s meeting room.

“You do not threaten Leif into giving up the life he knows to fulfill something that has nothing to do with him.” My father’s dragon eyes flare brighter green. “Leif has a choice. A will of his own. Regardless of who his father is, Leif belongs where he chooses.”

Roderick scoffs at Ethan. “And now you understand why we never let outsiders into our society. You don’t understand anything about us. Leif is our blood.”

Ethan’s voice lowers to a tone that raises hairs on my arms. I’ve memories of what simmers beneath. “I understand plenty. We made accords. We’re trying to help you. And I am perfectly aware of how it feels to be forced into a life never asked for. To have my choices removed. One reason we came today is to tell you to leave Leif be. For you to see how reluctant he is to be part of your world.”

“I want to speak for myself,” says Leif almost inaudibly.

All eyes in the room turn to the guy who’s suddenly a greater focus than he wanted or expected to become.

“I don’t know what’s true and what isn’t, but I can’t be a part of your society. This isn’t the one I know. You say I’m under threat? Shifters have threatened and beaten me for years. Humans have bullied me. Witches want to join in? Yeah. Well. I’m damned if I do or damned if I don’t.” His voice wavers, just for a beat. “I’ll risk life without your protection, thanks.”

“We can offer you a future, Leif. Outside, in their world, you’ll die,” says the elder. There’s no concern in his tone, only anger.

“No, he won’t,” I say as softly as Leif spoke. “Leif will be safe as long as he’s with me.”

The elder sneers. “And what does a shifter matter to you? A half-shifter at that.”

“What an odd question to ask the daughter of Eloise Thornbrook,” I say coolly. “Leif is an important part of my life.”

“Your life? Which one? Hidden by your daddy on his estate to keep you safe, or now pretending you’re so damn important in this town?” he mocks.

“Leif is an important part of my life, and you are a—”.

“Violet.” Ethan’s voice filters through the gathering darkness as a part of me wants to get this man in the same chokehold he could take Leif in.

Ethan’s palm rests on my head for a moment, jerking me away from the vitriol about to spill from my mouth. Don’t make this worse. But how can things be any worse for Leif right now?

My jaw sets hard, and I stand. Leif attempts to catch my hand as I move from my spot, walking slowly around the table until I’m inches away from the elder shifter. Our eyes meet in challenge, but I’m not afraid of him. Everywhere I turn, people threaten and bully the people I care about. Twist other peoples' lives for their own gains.

“Again, what does a half-shifter matter to you, little girl?”

I snarl, teeth sharpening, each heartbeat hammering home what's happening—Leif is one step closer to becoming theirs. “Leif protects me; I protect him. He belongs with me. You do not touch or interfere in the life of a Blackwood’s consort.”

Chapter 29

VIOLET

Did Leif have any idea? Did his mother lie to him or were the elders words a lie?

I stand across the driveway from Ethan’s black SUV, outside the front of the academy, Leif still in the passenger seat and staring forward. He’s barely spoken since his speech to the elders. Back when the police arrested him, I worried how Leif coped with the accusations and treatment, but I now see how. He disappears into the place in his mind where he keeps himself safe.

Rowan does the same thing—barriers they snatch hold of and pull down against the world, ones created by that world.

Like the walls I too created against a world I never understood.

“What do I do, Ethan?” I ask him. “I don’t know how to help. How can I stop Leif from hurting?”

Ethan takes a hand from his jacket pocket and touches the back of mine lightly with his coarse fingers. “Dorian would never listen to me when I told him how much like your mother you are.”

“You mean because I’ve decided to take consorts?”

Ethan’s mouth curves. “Ah. That. I meant caring, but yes. Maybe you should’ve mentioned the consort part to Leif first. I don’t think the comment helped with his messed up life today.”

“What?” I look back to the silent Leif, hating how big the knot is in my stomach.

---