9. Thorne

9

THORNE

From across the dining hall, I watch Violet and Caine enter. Their body language is intimate and affectionate. A pang of longing hits me, but I quickly squash it down. This isn't about me or my feelings. It's about Violet's happiness and safety.

We will get there when she's ready.

As Violet makes a beeline for the blood dispenser, Caine catches my eye and gives me a subtle nod. Something's happened. I can see it in the tension around his eyes, the protective way he hovers near Violet.

I make my way over to them, careful to keep my expression neutral in case it's something Violet isn't aware of yet. "Hi," I murmur, catching Violet's eye as she slurps on her blood through a straw, drawing her cheeks in, making her look adorable as fuck. She has snowflakes in her hair, and I can't resist the temptation to reach out and brush them aside.

Caine watches me and then looks over as Flint joins us. He kisses Violet, gently brushing his lips against hers, and I draw in a sharp breath.

"Listen," Caine says. "We need to talk."

My eyebrows raise at his tone. "What happened?"

Violet sighs. "Nathaniel paid me a visit," she says quietly.

I feel the blood drain from my face. "What? Here? How?"

"Shh. I don't want anyone else to know. I don't know how they will react. It was in my bathroom," Violet confirms. "He claims the wards aren't impossible for someone of his power to bypass."

"Fuck," I mutter, running a hand through my hair. "Are you okay? Did he hurt you?"

Violet shakes her head. "No, he didn't hurt me. He said he was there to protect me, actually."

I exchange a sceptical glance with Flint. "Protect you? From what?"

"Hunters," Caine interjects. "Something called The Order of the Shadows Descent. Apparently, they're after Violet because of her Morgana powers. We need to know more about these fuckers. Can you do your book shit and find out?"

"Shit," Flint hisses when I nod. "They sound like bad news."

I nod grimly. "Very bad news. But why would Nathaniel care about protecting you from them?"

Violet shrugs, looking uncomfortable. "He said I'm his responsibility. His charge. "

I clench my jaw, fighting back a surge of anger. "You're not his anything."

"I know," Violet says softly, reaching out to squeeze my hand. "I told him as much."

"There's more," Caine adds. "He claims Amara can't help Violet with her powers. That she's not to be trusted."

"Well, it wasn't that, really," Violet interjects. "He said she couldn't help me. That no one could. Only him, and that was a sort of scenario."

"Why? Because you are too badass for everyone?"

She snorts and gives me an amused stare. "I doubt it. I mean, maybe the powers. Not me. He called me Morgan le Fay's heir."

I frown, considering this new information. "Her heir? "

"Yeah."

"What does that even mean?"

"Amara told me that one of le Fay's descendants has the capability to hold her true power. I'm guessing they think it's me. Although why remains to be seen. Nathaniel thought it was him for a while."

"That's... significant."

I exchange glances with Flint and Caine, all of us processing this new information. The implications of Violet being Morgan le Fay's true heir are staggering.

"This complicates things," I say, looking back at Violet. "If you really are her heir, that means you really are in danger."

Violet nods. "Yeah. I still don't even understand what these powers are or how to use them if I have to defend myself. I'm sure as shit not relying on Nathaniel to help me out."

"You have us," I point out.

"I know, and I'm grateful. But you can't be with me twenty-four seven."

"Says who?"

She giggles. "As kind as that offer is, the words stir crazy come to mind. Everyone needs a bit of ‘me' time."

I try not to take that the wrong way. She is right, but also, I want to protect her.

"Which is why we need to be extra careful with your training," Flint says, changing the subject before I dig a hole I can't get out of. I don't want Violet to think I'm obsessed with her or anything. I refocus on Flint as he adds, "Especially if Nathaniel is right about Amara."

"But we can't just take his word for it," I argue. "He could be trying to isolate Violet, make her more dependent on him."

Caine nods in agreement. "That's what I said. We proceed with caution. Keep training, but be cautious."

"In the meantime," I add, "I'll hit the books, see what I can find out about this Order of the Shadows Descent and what it means to be Morgan's heir."

Violet finishes her blood and tosses the empty cup in the bin. "Thanks, guys. I have my own research to do on Morgan le Fay. I don't really have the first clue."

"Violet."

She looks up as Amara approaches with Blackthorne. "Are you ready for our session? "

She nods and gives us a small wave before she disappears.

"I don't like this."

"No, but we have to trust Violet to know what she's doing," Flint says.

"That's the thing, though. It's not that I don't trust her , it's every other fucker. Especially now this has come to light. Even more so that Nathaniel can apparently come and go as he pleases."

"He tried to feed her," Caine grits out unexpectedly.

"What?" Flint snaps.

"She didn't take him up on the offer," he adds. "Thank fuck."

"She wouldn't do that," Flint says confidently as I feel a bit sick at the thought of her drinking from him.

"No, she wouldn't," I agree. "She is more caring than that."

We stare at the floor in a maudlin silence, which gets on my nerves after a few seconds. "Right. I'm fucking off," I announce and turn, heading towards the library.

I stride purposefully towards it, annoyed as fuck that the stronger wards don't allow me to move about with my usual shadowy intent. It's a small price to pay for Violet's safety, but hey, guess what? That arsehole can still get to her. It makes me more angry than I think I've ever been.

As I push open the heavy wooden doors of the library, the familiar scent of old books and parchment washes over me. It's usually a comforting smell, but today, it does little to ease my anxiety .

I pass the tall statue of Morgana the Wise on the bottom floor of the library and look up at her, all innocent and knowing. "If anything happens to her, be that on your head."

I will deny all knowledge that I jump when the statue turns her head to gaze down at me, a small smile on her lips before resuming normal operations.

What did that smile mean? Was it reassuring or the total opposite?

Brushing it off, as I could stand here all night and not make sense of it, I make my way to the section on magickal lineages and ancient orders, pulling out several thick tomes. The Order of the Shadows Descent isn't a name I'm familiar with, which is concerning. If anything threatens the Fae, I would normally know about it, but this… If they've managed to stay under the radar for this long, they must be an impressive outfit.

I flip through a dusty tome, the pages crackling beneath my fingers. The scent of old parchment fills my nostrils as I scan the text, searching for any mention of the Order or Morgan le Fay's heir.

"Come on," I mutter, rubbing my hands and holding them out over the pages. "There has to be something here."

"Find me anything on Shadows Descent or Morgan le Fay," I murmur, and the pages start to flick over one by one.

After about two minutes, they stop, and I look down, dropping my hands as I peer at the page.

"The Order of the Shadows Descent," I say, "are a clandestine group dedicated to the eradication of Morgan le Fay's bloodline and the containment of her power. Founded in the aftermath of Camelot's fall, they believe Morgan's magick to be too dangerous to exist unchecked in the world."

I frown, turning the page by hand. "It is said that one true heir will arise, possessing the full might of Morgan's power. This heir is prophesied to either bring about a new golden age of magick or usher in an era of darkness, depending on how they choose to wield their abilities."

I lean back, processing this information. If Violet truly is Morgan's heir, it explains why Nathaniel is so interested in her, and why these hunters are after her. The weight of such a prophecy would be immense.

I turn another page. "The Order believes it is their sacred duty to find and eliminate this heir before they can come into their full power. Their methods are brutal and uncompromising, leaving no stone unturned in their quest."

"Shit," I mutter. This is worse than I thought.

I continue reading, my concern growing with each passage. "The Order's history is bloody and relentless. They've pursued potential heirs throughout the centuries, often leaving destruction in their wake."

As I delve deeper into the text, I come across a section that makes my blood run cold. "The Order is known to employ various supernatural beings in their quest, including corrupted witches, rogue vampires, and even fallen Fae. These agents are often promised a share of the heir's power as a reward for their service."

This explains the feral weres and possibly even Melody and Briar's involvement. But it also raises a disturbing question - could there be agents of the Order here at the academy?

I slam the book shut, my mind racing. We need to be even more careful than we thought. Violet isn't just in danger from Nathaniel, but potentially from enemies hiding in plain sight.

I gather up the books and head back to find the others. We need to come up with a plan to protect Violet, and fast. As I rush through the library, I nearly collide with Professor Blackthorne.

"Whoa there, Mr Thorne," he says, steadying me. "What's the hurry?"

I hesitate, unsure how much to reveal. Blackthorne has been an ally so far, but can we truly trust anyone with this information? Violet said she didn't want anyone else to know.

"Just doing some research," I say vaguely. "Time-sensitive stuff."

Blackthorne's eyes narrow slightly. "Oh?"

"Just some homework the big nerd is helping me out with."

I turn to the newcomer and smile wickedly as my cousin helps me out. "Zephyr," I say. "You're late."

"Here now, aren't I?" His purple gaze bores into mine, and I nod slowly. "Sure. "

"Hmm," Blackthorne murmurs, looking between us. "I'll leave you gentlemen to it, then."

I breathe out as he leaves, heading up the stairs to the next floor.

"Thanks," I say, punching Zephyr on the arm. "You saved my arse."

"From?"

"Nothing you need to know about. Plausible deniability."

"I just alibied you out, douchebag. What's the goods?"

"I can't actually say. Betrayal of trust. Just know I appreciate your help."

His eyes narrow and drop to the books in my arms. "Hefty tomes," he murmurs. "Did you find what you were looking for?"

"Sort of," I reply, as cautious as he suddenly is. "Why?"

He inclines his head and turns to walk away. I follow him, intrigued by this sudden cloak-and-dagger act he's got going on.

We stop around the back of the Morgana statue, and he casually rests his hand on the base. "Just know there is always more."

I stare at him curiously. "More?"

"More." He taps his fingers, and I frown before he moves his hand away. "See you around, cuz."

"Yeah, see ya," I mutter and stare at where he was tapping. Moving closer, I run my fingertips lightly over the space and feel a small button. I snatch my hand back when the statue moves again, giving me that same nonchalant smile from before. "What are you hiding, my lady?"

She turns her head again to the usual position, and I purse my lips. Whatever Zephyr was trying to tell me, this statue is in on the secret.

A stream of students enters the library, and I back away slowly, making a note to come back here with the guys and Violet when it's less crowded.