Chapter 42

42

VIOLET

5.45AM.

I fidget as I wait in the lounge with the others, plotting the best moment to visit Dashiell and draw the runes. Holly sits with the brown throw wrapped around her shoulders, darting a look between us, as if attempting to read our minds.

"I want to sit with Dash," says Holly.

Good grief. Could this get any more difficult?

"We should order that Uber," Grayson says abruptly and stands.

I stand too. "Yes."

"And Dash will join us?" Holly asks.

"If that stops you sneaking away with him, yeah," says Leif.

Holly's suspicion bores into my back as I leave the room with Grayson, and we pause outside the basement door. "I need to leave soon," I tell him.

Grayson pushes a hand through his hair. "You haven't changed your mind about going alone?"

If I were the type to do so, I'd roll my eyes right now. "Follow in ten minutes. That should be enough time for Leif and Holly leave, and for me to gauge the situation with Viktor. Ensure that Rowan chooses a spot that's far enough for Viktor to not detect you all." No protest. How odd considering his insistence earlier. "Don't follow me now." Still no response. "Grayson?"

"Feels wrong. Handing over Dashiell."

"Good grief!" I shake my head and reach for the cellar door handle, ignoring the twinge in my chest. "Please wait until Holly leaves with Leif."

Grayson closes his fingers over where mine rest on the handle, and I turn my eyes to his. "I'll do whatever I need to make sure you walk away from this unscathed, Violet. Anything ."

"Thank you, but that won't be necessary."

He chokes a laugh. "I still can't believe how convinced you are that walking into the woods and killing Viktor will be simple." His green eyes fill with concern.

"I do not. But I shall take the risk. For Holly. Please stop talking now." I turn to the door, and Grayson's pulls me back. As I open my mouth to protest, his lips meet mine in an unusually tender way.

He strokes my cheek with the back of his hand, face weirdly earnest. " Anything , Violet."

Dashiell startles as the door closes behind me.

The shifter stands and backs against a wall, his brown eyes narrow but fearful.

"I'm not about to harm you," I say.

He says nothing.

Locating a dark corner, I kneel on the concrete floor.

"Where are the others?"

"Grayson will ensure that Holly is settled with Leif and unaware of our next move, and then he and Rowan can join us."

He watches warily. "Shouldn't we wait for them before you do anything?"

I attempt a friendly smile. "I'll draw the runic circle, and then as soon as the others appear, we can leave straightaway. Less time for Holly to get suspicious."

Withdrawing my sharp pendant, I slice my finger before reaching out for Dashiell's hand. He glances between the blood and the steps. "You didn't lock the door?"

"No. Why would I?"

At least that isn't a lie.

"And what will happen to Holly?" he asks.

"As I said, Leif will stay with her, and they'll catch an Uber to the academy." I beckon with my uninjured hand. "We can't be late. Viktor might hurt Holly."

I've concluded that Dashiell makes bad choices but isn't stupid, and he remains still. For once, Dashiell's and Holly's mutual infatuation will benefit me—Dashiell believes he's part of a plan to catch and kill Viktor, and equally aware how much danger Holly is in. He's also aware how much power I have against people and would be wise to cooperate despite his evident suspicion as to why we're alone.

Dashiell watches through narrowing eyes as I daub the runes at speed. "Why do you keep glancing at the door?" he asks.

In case Grayson changes his mind. "Because I'm waiting for the others," I reply.

"Then why the hurry?"

I stay fixated on the half-complete runic circle. "I always perform magic at this speed."

"And you're sure that Holly's safe with Leif?" he asks.

"Again. Yes." I bite my lip as I paint the last rune with my blood, completing those needed for the ritual. All the while my heart hammers with worry that Grayson could open that door at any moment. Anything, Violet . "Now, add your blood."

Dashiell finally offers a hand, and I resist snatching and holding tight, instead calmly cutting his finger. He doesn't flinch but prevents me moving his hand towards the centre of the circle.

"Wait. We're all leaving together, aren't we?"

"Dashiell." I succeed in pulling his hand closer to the runes, but his shifter strength aids in his resistance. "We need to leave."

"Why?"

The door at the top of the steps opens, and I mutter to myself. I don't have time for another speech from Grayson. I pull harder at Dashiell's hand; if he resists much more, I'll end up breaking his wrist which I'd like to avoid, but I've run out of time.

"Violet?"

My head snaps up in surprise. Holly stares at me, expression shifting from shock to anger, her face paler than ever. "What are you doing to Dash?"

"Dashiell!" I yank at him, panicking, but this could be a blessing and persuade Dashiell to cooperate. "Hurry before Holly tries to join us."

"How dare you! I knew you were up to something!" Holly pulls a knife from her pocket. "I took one from the kitchen in case I needed to defend myself after you all leave! Looks like it's useful now."

I'm arrested at the sight as Holly holds the point to a trembling finger, squeezing her eyes closed in anticipation of the cut.

No. No. "Dashiell. Put your hand in the circle. Now. Before she joins us."

"No, Dash. Make Violet wait!" Holly pleads, as I speak the incantation at speed.

"Tell the others!" Dashiell urges Holly. "Stay back!"

With the magic invocation complete, I've no chance of stopping the ritual. Even if I took my hand away, the spell wouldn't remove the other people tied to the runes. Dashiell would disappear—without me.

"You're not taking Dash, Violet!" Holly shouts and lurches towards us.

As the familiar rush of blackness engulfs me, I shout Holly's name in furious despair when I feel her hand cover mine.