“I’m the one you’re seeking,” Lucien answers quickly. Without a second thought, Callum raises a hand and backhands the boy across the cheek. Lucien flies across the room, slamming into the brick wall. He moves in front of Aurora. “You disappoint me.”
She falls to the floor, lying prostrate on the wood. “Forgive me, father. I was weak-minded.” I stare at the spectacle in front of me.
“You are weak-minded and no better than the rest,” he continues.
“Get out of there, Violet,”a deep voice says through my mind.
“Terrin?”I ask.
“Normally, that would offend me. However, I will let it pass for now. As your maker, I demand that you leave the building.”
“Fuck you, Harrison! You left when we needed you. Don’t you dare tell me what to do. You have no right over me.”
His laugh rings through my mind.“I have every right over you.”
“I’m not leaving here without Cyrus and my friends.”
Callum’s energy shifts, along with his appearance. He returns to the handsome man from before. “Wankers,” he says under his breath with a deep sigh. “Get up,” he demands toward Aurora. “Others are here. Take care of it.”
Without hesitation, Aurora is on her feet, literally flying toward the door. I send my energy out, hoping to feel what Callum feels, and am met with nothing.“Harrison?”I ask my maker, not sure what’s happening.
“Get down,”his deep voice answers. On cue, a window crashes inward, sending shards of glass flying throughout the room.
“About damn time,” Lucien says, grabbing my hand and pulling me toward Cyrus and the lycan. “Get them out of here,” he demands.
I don’t wait to be told twice. Wrapping my arms around Simon and Stella, I race through the attic anddown to the front entrance of the school at vampire speed. Both are still unconscious, but I’m relieved to see their wounds are healing quickly.
“Violet?” Simon’s weak voice says as I set them down safely away from the building.
“Stay here,” I warn. “I’m going back for Gideon and Cyrus.” A weak arm reaches toward me as he collapses next to his sister.
Seconds later, I’m back in the attic. The chaos in front of me is hard to describe. Callum is standing in the same spot as earlier, while three vampires circle him, reminding me of predators on the hunt. They’re moving faster than my eyes can track. I recognize the energy of Harrison, Phillipe, and Erick instantly.
I don’t take the time to figure out the chaos. Instead, I run toward the man I’m here to save. The chains holding his body are deeply embedded in his skin. So much so, the metal has pierced through what’s left of his flesh, exposing the bone underneath.
“Cyrus?” I gently turn him from his side to his back. “Cyrus?” I shake him this time, hoping for a response.
“Violet?” his whisper is so soft that even with vampire hearing, I’m barely able to understand his words.
“I’m here. We have to get out of here.” The moment I touch the silver being used to bind him, my hand feels like it’s on fire. “Shit!”
“Let me,” Lucien says at my side. He’s still the size of a child as he bends down, wrapping his small handaround the metal, and whispers something in a strange language. Magically, literally, the metal melts in his hand. He does the same for the chains wrapped around Cyrus’s legs and neck.
“Is Terrin safe?”
“Yes,” Lucien answers. “You must leave now.”
“I can’t go without Gideon,” I argue. “Or you.”
Lucien smiles. “You are a good person, Violet Du Four. I shall forever remember you.” He rushes to Gideon’s side, placing a hand on his shoulder. With a few words, the Alpha awakens and jumps to his feet.
“Where?” he says, looking at the floor next to him.
“They’re safe,” I answer.
“Stella?”
“Healing. You have to get out of here.” Gideon turns toward the vampire chaos in the room.
