Chapter 40

40

VIOLET

Grayson insists that we take turns sitting outside the basement door or with Holly. I'm perfectly aware that they're watching my movements, but while Holly sleeps, I'm going nowhere. I shall be with her when she wakes and ask what she wishes to do. I'll then ignore that wish and insist she returns to Scotland. I'm hesitant to contact Eloise or Dorian just yet because I don't want to lie to them about Viktor a second time.

All of which means that I'm not alone in the kitchen when my phone sounds at 4AM—too early for Dorian or Eloise to notice we're missing.

Rowan's eyes train on me before I've even taken the phone from my pocket. Pretending the message alert never happened won't work since we're sitting in silence as he drinks another coffee. "Go on. Look at Viktor's message." He nods at my pocket.

"Could be somebody else?" I suggest as I pull out the phone.

"Uh huh." He takes the phone from me and places it between us on the table.

Leif is at my property. Are you all there? Can you tidy up? I have new tenants arriving soon to work for me

"Viktor. He is still in Leif's mind!" I say through gritted teeth.

"We knew that."

"Which is why Viktor needs to die. " I slide the phone across to type a reply.

I have Dashiell

I know

"Of course he bloody does," mutters Rowan.

Does Dorian know?

He knows nothing

Clever girl

I shove the chair back and stand, glaring at the phone as I stand by the wall. I was seconds away from ending Viktor's smug attitude once before, and we could've avoided everything that has happened since. But I can't look back to what might've been anymore. All I can change is now . The future.

"Ask Viktor when and where," I say. Rowan glances up at me. "Yes. I'll allow you to know."

He types, then sits back, dragging a hand down his face as we wait.

Meet at Holly's favorite place in the woods

Rowan's expression hardens. "Sick bastard."

I take the phone.

when? I can't hide Dashiell for long. Dorian will look for me

Very true. 6AM

"You'll need blood runes to get to the woods in time," says Rowan. "And how will you convince Dashiell to go with you?"

I take the phone and type

If you bring anybody else, I will kill them all

I work alone. I don't trust anybody.

How can that be true? Viktor claims he's part of a plot against the current supernatural government, and that takes more than one person. Is hiding his identity crucial, and that's why Viktor has such a small circle of witch friends? Or the friends Viktor does have would never dare reveal themselves to Violet Blackwood?

Liar you're working with people against Dorian

Why would I risk revealing my identity to others after all this time?

I don't respond, expecting the phone to ring at any second.

"Do you believe Viktor will come to us alone?" asks Rowan.

I look at him sharply. "Us?"

"Violet. I can't let you go on your own. Our witch bond."

"Ignore the bond."

He chokes out a laugh. "Since when was that possible?"

I can't say so, but I'm forced to agree with Rowan. My early resistance to the witch bond had no effect, despite my fractious relationship with him and dislike for any type of closeness.

"I have a compromise." My jaw tightens, now fully aware that whatever I do, the guys will pursue me. My bonded witch also knows the time and place, which removes all chances of slipping away unnoticed. "You can all follow later and stay at a distance that Viktor won't detect. If you suspect Viktor may bring others, they'd be nearby. Locating and killing them will aid in my safety. That should satisfy the bond's desire to protect." A muscle feathers in his cheek. "You've seen that I'm capable of killing Viktor, and I will not need assistance if he's alone."

The screen lights up.

Will you be there Violet?

Yes

With the shifter only

Yes

6AM don't be late

I wait a while longer, but there's no response. "However, Rowan, one of you must stay here with Holly or take her somewhere safe."

"Leif can?" he suggests. "Since Viktor would detect him straightaway if he joined us."

"Leif could take Holly to the academy. I'd rather not contact Eloise until after the deed is done. Once I have Viktor, I shall meet you at Witch Rocks."

"You're bringing his dead body?" Rowan pales, and I regard him, unblinking. "Omigod Violet. Do you still intend to try necromancy on him?"

"I haven't 100% decided."

Through the night, I've continued toying with the necromancy idea, but a worry niggles at me that Viktor's magic may not be snuffed out, even if his mind belongs to me. There's only one certainty—if he does injure Holly further, I'll explode his mind into a black void. A mind that will belong to me.

I've relented by allowing the guys to know when and where, with the agreement that they will give me time to contain Viktor. I won't approach the meeting location if I sense he has others nearby and will dispatch his followers first.

But even that agreement sits heavily in my stomach. Every moment Viktor stands in those woods is another wasted second in trying to save Holly, or for Dashiell to attempt an escape. One simple mistake and the spell connected to Holly's mind could destroy her.