23. Thorne

23

THORNE

The soft knock on my door pulls me from a fitful sleep. I groan, rolling over and burying my face in the pillow. The remnants of a dream cling to me—shadows and whispers, Violet's face fading into darkness as she is dragged away from MistHallow, from us. I shake it off, trying to clear the fog from my mind.

"What?" I call out, my voice rough with sleep and irritation. I'm not used to being disturbed, especially at this hour. In the Dark Fae court, such an intrusion might have been met with more than just a gruff response.

The door opens, and I lift my head to see Flint, Caine, and Violet standing in the doorway. My eyebrows shoot up in surprise. This is unexpected. The sight of them together sends a jolt of adrenaline through me, instantly clearing the last vestiges of sleep from my mind .

"Sorry to wake you," Flint says, his voice low and tinged with concern. "But we have a situation."

I sit up, running a hand through my dishevelled hair. The silk sheet pools around my waist, and I catch Violet's gaze on my bare chest. She looks pale, fragile, her eyes rimmed with red as if she's been crying. Her purple hair is a wet, tangled mess.

Caine closes the door, his arm protectively around Violet's waist. The sight of his casual intimacy with her stirs something in me—not quite jealousy, but a longing to be part of that circle of comfort. "Violet had a nightmare. About Nathaniel. She needs us. All of us."

I blink, trying to process this information. My gaze locks with Violet's, and I see the fear there, the desperation. Something in my chest tightens, an unfamiliar feeling of protectiveness washing over me. "Nightmare, or was it reality?" I ask her.

Her eyes widen. "You think he was really in my head?"

"It's possible. Your bond with him is strong due to his age and strength. It would be more so if you weren't fighting it."

"So, he knows where I am?" she asks quietly.

"Possibly."

"Thorne!" Caine snaps, and I shrug.

"She asked. I'm not lying to her."

"No," she says, shaking her head. "Please don't lie. I can handle the truth."

"I know you can," I say softly, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. I'm naked, but who cares? The cool air of the room raises goosebumps on my skin, but I barely notice.

I stand, unsure of what to do. This is new territory for me. I'm used to taking what I want, not really concerning myself with others' feelings. But Violet is different. I can feel it in my soul, a connection that defies explanation.

"What do you need?" I ask, searching Violet's eyes. My voice comes out gentler than I expected.

She looks up at me, her blue eyes wide and vulnerable. There's a depth of pain and fear in them that makes my heart clench. "You," she whispers. "All of you. I can't explain it. But being near you, it helps. It makes the craving for him less, it makes me feel safe, it makes me feel sane."

The word hits me right in the heart. Safe. Sane. I know the need for those things. But when was the last time anyone felt safe with me? I'm a Dark Fae, raised in a court of intrigue and manipulation. Safety isn't exactly our strong suit. My childhood was filled with lessons on how to deceive and how to use others for my own gain. The idea that someone could find safety in my presence is both foreign and oddly compelling.

But as I look at Violet, I know with bone-deep certainty that I would do anything to protect her. To make her feel safe. It's an instinct that goes against everything I've been taught, and yet it feels more right than anything I've ever known.

Without a word, I open my arms. It's a gesture that feels natural and terrifying. I'm offering comfort, something I've never done before. Violet hesitates for just a moment, her eyes searching mine as if looking for any sign of deception. Finding none, she steps into my embrace.

I wrap my arms around her, feeling her trembling against me. She's so small, so fragile in my arms, and yet I can feel the vampire strength under the surface. Her scent envelops me, violets and something sweet. It's intoxicating, and I breathe it in, needing it in my soul.

"I've got you," I murmur. It's a tone I've never used before, one I didn't even know I was capable of. "We've got you."

Flint and Caine move closer, forming a protective circle around us. I feel their presence, their strength, and for once, I'm grateful for it. This isn't something I can do alone. The realisation is both humbling and strangely comforting.

We stand like that for a long moment, the four of us connected. I can feel Violet's breathing slow, her trembling subside. The tension in her body gradually eases, and I find myself relaxing as well. There's a power in this moment, a kind of magick that has nothing to do with spells or rituals. Her hands travel lightly down my back, making my cock go hard. It stirs against her, and I feel her smile on my chest.

When she finally pulls back, there's a calmness in her eyes that wasn't there before. The fear isn't gone completely, but it's muted, overshadowed by something else. Trust, perhaps. The thought both thrills and terrifies me.

"Thank you," she says softly, looking at us. Her voice is steadier now, though still tinged with exhaustion. "How did you know about the dream reality or whatever it was?"

Her gaze bores into mine, asking questions I'm not sure I can answer. But I just told her I wouldn't lie to her. "I saw it happen."

"What?" she croaks as Caine and Flint get their hackles up.

"I saw him take you from here. Is that what happened to you?"

She nods slowly. "Yes. How?"

I shake my head, lifting my hand to cup her cheek. "The Dark Fae have a certain ability when they bond with someone," I start, feeling embarrassed to be saying this with Flint and Caine around. But I think we are long past the time for secrets and awkwardness.

"Oh?" she murmurs.

"My soul finds yours in the dream realm."

She gulps. "I didn't see you there."

"Oh, burn," Caine snorts.

"Fuck right off," I snarl, giving him the finger, but turn back to Violet. "Because you aren't ready yet."

We lock gazes, and I do something I'm not sure she wants, but I know I need it to solidify everything I'm feeling. I brush my lips against hers. She doesn't respond, but she doesn't push me away either. She is processing the enormity of what I've told her.

When I step back, Flint clears his throat, breaking the intense moment. "We have lectures soon," he says reluctantly, his eyes flicking to the window where the first hints of night are starting to appear. "But I don't think Violet should be alone."

"I'll stay with her," I offer immediately. The thought of returning to my research, of leaving Violet when she needs us, is unthinkable. My work on the ritual can wait. This, here and now, is more important.

Violet looks up at me, relief evident in her eyes. "Are you sure? I don't want to be a burden..."

"You're not," I say firmly. "Never think that. You're..." I trail off, unsure how to express what I'm feeling. How do I tell her that she's become the centre of my world in such a short time? That the thought of her in pain is more unbearable than any torture I could imagine?

Flint nods, seeming to understand what I can't say. "Take the first shift. Get out of your head for a minute, and we will take over later."

I nod and pull on some clothes quickly, enjoying Violet's shy gaze on me.

As we leave, we run into Professor Blackthorne.

"Miss Violet," he says, his voice kind. "I was just looking for you. How are you feeling?"

"I'm okay," she says. "Not great. But okay."

He nods. "Okay, will do."

She nods, lowering her gaze .

"Oh, and before I forget, I wanted to inform you that you've been placed in Rome House this term."

Violet blinks, surprise evident on her face. "Rome House?"

I exchange a look with her and give her a nod, a small smile tugging at my lips. This is her chance to show Briar and the rest of the academy what she's made of. Rome House is known for its strength, its determination. It's a perfect fit for Violet, who has shown more courage in the face of adversity than many who have been at MistHallow for years.

Flint is beaming, his excitement palpable. "That's my House," he says, his voice filled with pride. "This is great, Violet! We're House buddies."

"Thank you, Professor," Violet says, a small smile on her face. It's the first genuine smile I've seen from her today, and it warms something inside me. It's like seeing the sun break through after a long, dark night.

"In a few days, we will be doing the challenges for House Captain," Blackthorne states. "I hope to see you all at the forefront."

We murmur our confirmation, and he nods swiftly and sweeps away, his cloak billowing behind him.

We follow in his wake, and I lead us to the dining hall. I'm starving, and I'm sure Violet needs sustenance as well. We enter the busy hall, and all eyes turn to us. I feel Violet stiffen next to me.

"Hey, Violet! Why don't you come and feed from me? I've heard you like Demon blood," Xaxis, a total arsehole, calls out .

She gulps and moves closer to me as Caine and Flint go slightly feral.

Flint's eyes narrow as he glares at Xaxis. "Watch your mouth, dickhead," he growls, his voice low and dangerous. The temperature in the room drops several degrees.

Violet shrinks back, clearly uncomfortable with the attention. Flint steps protectively in front of her while Caine moves to flank her other side.

"You got something to say, Xaxis?" Caine challenges, ice forming along his fingertips. "Why don't you come over here and say it to my face?"

The Demon hesitates, clearly not expecting such a unified front. His gaze darts between the four of us, assessing the situation. After a tense moment, he backs down with a scowl. "Whatever. Didn't realise the little vamp slut had bodyguards."

In a flash, I've got Xaxis by the throat, squeezing until his eyes bulge. "What did you call her?"

The rest of the dining hall spreads out, expecting a showdown.

"My money's on Thorne!" someone shouts out, and I mentally roll my eyes. They just can't help themselves.

Xaxis claws at my hand, struggling to breathe. His eyes are wide with fear, knowing he's crossed a line. I lean in close, my voice a low, menacing whisper. "You will apologise to Violet, and if I ever hear you speak about her like that again, you'll find out that I don't give a flying fuck about being expelled for killing another student on campus grounds. We clear?"

I release my grip slightly, allowing him to nod frantically. When I let go completely, he stumbles back, gasping for air. After a moment, he turns to Violet, his voice hoarse. "I'm... I'm sorry. It won't happen again."

Violet glares at him but says nothing. She clearly doesn't trust herself not to snap.

"Guess we know whose dick she got wet last night, then," Briar's snide voice echoes around the space.

The dining hall goes deathly silent at Briar's words. The tension in the air is thick and oppressive. Violet stiffens beside me, her face a mask of pure vampiric anger, and she is fucking gorgeous. I step back, knowing she's got this all on her own.

Caine, however, has other ideas. His eyes are blazing with cold fury. "You want to repeat that, Briar?" His voice is dangerously soft, like the calm before a blizzard.

Briar smirks, clearly relishing the attention. "Oh, did I strike a nerve? I'm just saying what everyone's thinking. Little Miss Newbie Vamp's been busy, hasn't she?"

I feel my magick rising, dark and vengeful. The shadows in the room deepen, responding to my anger. But I hold onto it, waiting to see how Violet will respond. She needs to do this herself while she has an audience of this size .

"Is that the best you can do, Briar?" she says, her voice dripping with pity. "Are you that pathetic, you have to make up stories about other people's sex lives to feel important? Or are you just not getting any?"

Briar's vicious smile falters, her cheeks going bright red, clearly not expecting Violet to fight back and quite so harshly. I drop my magick and try to hide my smirk, but it's not easy. Briar steps forward, recovering, "You little bit?—"

"No, you don't get to speak," Violet cuts her off, squaring off with her. "You don't know anything about me or my life. You're just a sad, insecure little girl who can't stand the thought that someone might be getting more attention than you. But let me make something very clear. My personal life is none of your business. Who I choose to be with or not be with has nothing to do with you, and if you ever try to shame me or anyone else again, for that matter, you'll find out just how much of a newbie vampire I really am." She flashes her fangs in Briar's direction.

The dining hall is silent, everyone watching with bated breath. Briar's face is full of shock and fury, clearly not used to being stood up to like this.

Violet takes a step closer to Briar. "Oh, and Briar? Next time you want to spread rumours, at least try to make them interesting. Your lack of imagination is almost as sad as your desperate need for attention."

With that, Violet turns on her heel and walks away, head held high. The dining hall erupts into whispers and a few scattered applauses. I can't help the proud smile that spreads across my face. This is the Violet I knew was in there, strong, fierce, unwilling to back down.

Flint, Caine and I follow her, forming a protective circle around her as we make our way to an empty table. As we sit down, I notice Violet's hands are shaking slightly, the adrenaline of the confrontation wearing off.

"You okay?" I ask softly, placing a hand on hers.

She takes a deep breath. "Blood. Now."

"On it," Flint says and rushes over to the dispenser as Violet gives us a shaky smile.