“I am no one’s puppy.” Simon moves into the kitchen, wearing a loosely tied bathrobe and slippers. He looks like he doesn’t have a care in the world, and I love it.
“Tell me about Callum,” I demand.
Harrison sighs. “There’s not much to tell. He’s old, he’s arrogant, and he’s strong enough to get what he wants,” he answers, describing himself.
“How did you discover he was coming?” Cyrus asks my maker.
“That is none of your concern,” he answers.
“Then how do we know you’re not lying?” I ask the obvious.
Harrison crosses his arms across his chest. “Violet, I am not the evil person you think I am.”
My laugh echoes off the walls of the home. “That’s funny. The memory of you taking me to an isolated area by the river before taking my humanity and future away seems to say differently.” I’m not sure where my boldness is coming from, but I refuse to back down. “You are the epitome of evil.”
“Baby, if you think I’m evil, wait until you meet Callum.” Harrison’s words send chill bumps over my skin.
“Why do you care?” I spew. “You sold me. What does it matter if Callum collects his debt?”
Harrison steps inches from my face. “Despite what you think of me, a life with Callum would be something I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Death would be more honorable.”
“So, my choices are Aurora, who will make me her killing machine, or Callum, who will…” I pause, not finishing that thought. “Both choices are great. Thank you, Harrison.” Sarcasm sounds through my voice.
“I’m here to protect you,” Harrison lies.
“We both know you don’t care what happens to me. It won’t affect you in any way. Whatever your reason to show up in Florida, protecting me isn’t it.”
“Cyrus, tell me you see through this facade?” Simon asks, standing in the kitchen doorframe. He’s dunking apiece of burnt toast into the oversized coffee cup he’s holding. “You’re right, Violet. It has everything to do with him, and nothing to do with protecting you.” He takes a bite of toast, chewing longer than necessary. “Callum discovering that Chamberlin made a baby vampire without notification is a betrayal of their deal. By warning you, he’s trying to cover his ass.”
I turn toward my maker. “You son of a bitch.”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk, little one. Is that any way to speak to your father?”
Without thought, I rush toward the man who took my life with nothing but his death on my mind. I’m standing in front of him a heartbeat later. “I hate you,” I spew.
“Join the club,” Harrison answers. The smile covering his face makes me sick to my stomach. I stare into dark brown eyes, fully aware that any attempt I make to hurt him will most likely end in my death.
“Violet,” Cyrus warns from somewhere nearby.
“Don’t worry. I’m not dumb.” I take a step back. “Get out.” I point toward the door with my words.
Harrison actually looks confused. “Letting the livestock run your home now, Cyrus?”
Cyrus’s energy moves closer. “This is Violet’s home, too. She asked you to leave. I suggest you do so.”
Simon’s familiar energy moves to my other side. “I agree.”
“Cyrus, you are no match for me, and as for you, puppy…” Harrison steps toward Simon. “You are nothing more than a lycan outcast who lives with a vampire for protection.”
Simon shifts into wolf form a second later, making Harrison smirk. “You proved my point perfectly. Nothing but an out-of-control child.” He turns toward my buyer. “Callum is coming. Aurora is the safer choice if you want her to live. Yes, I’m here to protect myself, but as a father,” he places his hand on his chest and pauses dramatically, “I want all my children to live.” He scoffs at his words. “God, I can’t even say that with a straight face.”
“Get the fuck out!” I shout.
“My pleasure,” he says before disappearing a heartbeat later. Simon runs through the door, no doubt following my maker. Anger fills me, and my emotions are all over the place. I’m torn between breaking something or running away. Neither would solve anything.
Several minutes pass before anger is replaced by dread. “What does this mean?” I ask Cyrus, who is still standing in the same spot as earlier.
He sighs. “It means we need help.”
