Chapter 39

39

VIOLET

What should I do? Remove Dashiell to a different location and hide with him? Why won't the guys understand that they can't join me? I value Holly's life and theirs. Viktor will not stop at Holly; he already has a grip on Leif that we're struggling to break too.

I almost killed Viktor once, and I will succeed this time.

So, Viktor doesn't want me to bring others and will detect if I do? As will I if he brings accomplices, and I could take down a lot at once. Yes, my potion prevents me sensing and desiring witch or human blood strongly, but that isn't a problem—I won't take the preventative measure while waiting for contact from Viktor.

I'd deliberated whether I should stop the potion and take the risk of bloodlust or not, but the decision is out of my hands, anyway. I don't have any of the potion with me and I won't return to Scotland or the academy to collect some while I have Dashiell.

I leave Grayson with Rowan, positive the pair will continue to discuss me, and return to Holly and Leif. He placed one of the brown sofa throws over a sleeping Holly but isn't asleep in the armchair as I'd expected. He stands close to the window, and the only light comes from the yellow streetlamp filtering through the curtain gaps.

The entry into the house leads straight into this room, and the only other door out leads from the kitchen to a concreted yard. Nobody can get in undetected.

"Come here, Violet," says Leif, turning his back to the window.

I pause before walking over. Leif must require a hug.

As I reach him, he doesn't touch me, merely looks at me with an oddly intense expression. "Are you also going to suggest we allow Dashiell to leave us?" I whisper.

"No." Large palms engulf my cheeks as he tips my face upwards. "Violet. Don't kill anybody."

"I can't respond to that without lying," I say.

His thumbs brush my skin. "Killing would change you."

"Change me, or how you feel about me?" I remain still. "Do you want to keep pretending I'm the delicate girl who needs protection?"

He makes a soft noise in his throat. "Never. But Violet, you would change."

"How could you know that?"

"Look at your father and how blasé he is about killing people, as if that's the easiest way to deal with problems in his world. I thought you didn't want to become like Dorian?"

I don't blink. I already am . "Eloise killed too."

"Randomly? Frequently?"

"I'm telling you that killing won't change me." I pause. "But if you want to reduce the likelihood, do not join Rowan and Grayson in any plans to follow me. I would kill to protect any of you without a thought."

"You're intending to kill Viktor, whether we're with you or not. Violet, the witch will be prepared this time."

I seal my lips. How else would I permanently end the spell link between Viktor and two people I love? Individuals I'll keep safe in any way I can? "Promise me that you won't tell Dorian or follow."

"Dorian, I promise. Following, I can't promise."

"Leif. Viktor controlled you the night at the house. You'd surely stay away for that reason alone."

"Okay. Then agree to tell me when and where Viktor wants to meet as soon as you know. Allow us to stay close by."

"But Holly…" I whisper, glancing at my sleeping friend.

With a sigh, Leif presses his lips to my forehead. "Don't expect Rowan to agree. You know he's compelled to protect you. And Grayson killed for you."

"I never asked him to. Grayson killed that witch out of fury."

"Because he loves you, Violet." Leif tips my face up. "We all do."

"And I will kill because I love you all too."

Leif's eyes don't soften as they usually do when I express my affection for him, nor does he release my face. "Don't kill Viktor. Subdue him. Make him pay by taking away his freedom for the rest of his years. That would kill the arrogant bastard."

But isn't that my other alternative? Not imprisonment by Dorian, but something else. Viktor would have no freedom as my construct.