35. Violet

35

VIOLET

His presence is like ice water in my veins, a cold, creeping dread that spreads through my body. I can almost feel his breath on my neck, his fangs grazing my skin. The bond between us is weakened but not broken, and it pulses with revived strength.

Oh, my little flower . His tone is silky smooth and dripping with malice. What a delightful mess you've made.

I want to scream, to deny his words, but I find myself paralysed. The chaos of the courtyard fades into the background as Nathaniel's presence fills my senses. In this moment, caught between the physical danger of the mob and the mental assault of my sire, I've never felt more alone despite the guys risking everything to defend me.

As doubt and fear crash over me, I cling to the only certainty I have left. The unwavering support of Flint, Caine, and Thorne. Their magick blazes around me are a testament to their determination to protect me.

"Stop it," I plead, pressing my hands to my temples. "Get out of my head!"

"Violet?" Flint's concerned voice breaks through my internal struggle. "What's wrong?"

I want to answer him, to seek comfort in his presence, but Nathaniel's voice drowns out everything else. You can't escape what you are, little flower. Embrace the monster within.

Before I can respond, a booming voice cuts through the chaos. "ENOUGH!"

Professor Blackthorne stands at the centre of the courtyard, his mage magick radiating out in waves, forcing everyone back. The fighting stops abruptly, leaving a ghostly silence in its wake. The sudden quiet is jarring, making Nathaniel's voice in my head seem even louder.

"This behaviour is unacceptable, " Blackthorne's voice is cold with fury. "Return to your rooms immediately and await punishment. Anyone found outside will face severe consequences."

The crowd disperses quickly when faced with Blackthorne's wrath, throwing final glares and muttered accusations my way. Each hateful look, each whispered condemnation, feels like a punch to the gut.

Blackthorne turns to us, his expression grave. "Miss Violet, come with me. The rest of you, return to your rooms. "

"But Professor—" Thorne starts to protest, but Blackthorne cuts him off with a sharp gesture.

"That's an order. I need to speak with Miss Violet alone."

As Blackthorne leads me away, I throw a desperate glance back at the guys. Their faces are masks of concern and frustration. We were supposed to do the walk-through tonight, to prepare for breaking my bond with Nathaniel. Now, that plan lies in ruins.

Nathaniel's voice returns, a smug whisper in my mind. Did you really think you could escape me so easily, little flower? You're mine, now and always.

I stumble, nearly falling as we round a corner. Blackthorne's hand snaps out, and he steadies me with a firm hand on my arm.

"Are you alright, Miss Violet?" he asks, his tone softer now that we're away from the others.

I nod, not trusting my voice. How can I tell him that my sire is speaking to me, tormenting me? That I'm starting to doubt my own innocence?

We reach a circular room that is completely empty.

"I know this is difficult," Blackthorne says, his voice grave. "But I need you to tell me exactly where you were when Briar was killed."

I open my mouth to answer, but Nathaniel's voice drowns out my thoughts. Go on, little flower. Tell him how you stalked her through the halls. How her fear made her blood taste so much sweeter .

"No!" I cry out, shoving my palms against my temples. "I didn't… I wouldn't…"

"No one is accusing you?—"

But it's too late. The walls of the room close in around me. Nathaniel's laughter echoes in my ears, drowning out Blackthorne's words. I see flashes of Briar's terrified face and feel the sensation of fangs sinking into flesh. The taste of blood fills my mouth, metallic and intoxicating.

"Stop it!" I scream, clawing at my arms, desperate to feel something real, something that isn't this nightmare. "Get out of my head!"

"Violet!" Blackthorne's voice seems to come from far away. I feel his hands on my shoulders, trying to still my frantic movements.

But I can't stop. The world is spinning, reality blurring with Nathaniel's twisted visions. I see blood on my hands and taste it on my tongue. Did I do this? Could I have killed Briar without even realising it?

You're a monster now, little flower. Embrace it. I'm coming for you, Violet, and I'll show you how to revel in your true nature.

"No," I sob, sinking to my knees on the cold, stone floor. "I'm not a monster. I'm not, I'm not, I'm not!"

I'm vaguely aware of Blackthorne calling for help and of other voices joining the chaos in the room. But it's all background noise to the storm raging in my mind.

Nathaniel's presence grows stronger, his will pressing down on me like a force. I feel myself slipping, losing grip on who I am or what's real. The room around me fades away, replaced by flashes of memories, but I can't tell what is real and what isn't.

I see myself running through dark streets, my heart pounding with fear. But then the scene shifts, and I'm the hunter, not the hunted. I feel the thrill of the chase, the satisfaction of cornering my prey.

This is who you are now, Violet. A predator. A killer. My perfect creation.

I want to scream, to deny it, but the words stick in my throat. The taste of blood is overwhelming, the rush of the kill intoxicating. Part of me, a dark, primal part I've tried so hard to suppress, revels in it. I feel myself wavering, the line between reality and Nathaniel's fabrications blurring. Did I really kill Briar? Am I capable of such violence? What about Melody? Was that me as well?

As if from a great distance, I hear Blackthorne's voice. He's speaking urgently, casting some kind of spell. The words are unfamiliar, but they cut through the fog in my mind, providing a moment of clarity.

In that brief instant, I remember who I am. Violet. Student at MistHallow. Fate to Caine, Flint and Thorne. I am more than just Nathaniel's creation.

With a monumental effort, I push back against Nathaniel's influence. "Get. Out. Of. My. Head!" I scream, putting every ounce of will behind the words.

For a moment, there's silence. Blessed, empty silence. Then, with a final, chilling laugh, Nathaniel's presence fades .

I collapse, exhausted and trembling. The cold stone floor presses against my cheek, grounding me in reality. I'm dimly aware of movement around me, of Blackthorne's voice giving orders.

"...secure the room... no visitors... for her own safety..."

I want to protest, to ask for my guys, but I'm too drained to speak.

Blackthorne's face swims into view. "Rest now, Miss Violet," he says softly. "You're safe here."

I hear the sound of a door closing and locking.

I'm alone.

The silence is oppressive, broken only by the sound of my own breathing.

Alone at last, little flower.

Groaning, I curl into a ball, pressing my hands against my ears as if that could block him out.

"No," I whimper. "You're not real. This isn't real."

His laughter echoes in my head. Oh, but I am real, Violet. I'm the only real thing in your world now. Those boys can't reach you here. Your professors can't protect you. It's just you and me, as it was always meant to be.

I shake my head violently, trying to dislodge his voice. But in this isolated room, with no other stimuli to distract me, Nathaniel's presence is overwhelming.

"Why are you doing this?" I sob. "Why can't you just leave me alone?"

Because you're mine, Violet. Your father owed me his firstborn so I could make my creation. My perfect little monster and it's time for you to accept that .

As his words wash over me, I feel my resolve weakening. Isolated from everyone, from any source of support, I'm left alone with my doubts and fears.

"Did I really kill Briar?" I ask, my voice small and broken.

Does it matter? You're a vampire now. Killing is in your nature. Whether it was Briar or someone else, you'll kill again. It's inevitable.

I curl tighter into myself, tears streaming down my face. In this moment, locked away from everyone and everything I've come to care about, Nathaniel's words are the only reality I have.

The hours pass, and I lie alone in this warded room with only Nathaniel's voice for company, I feel myself starting to believe him.