Violet wasn’t about to let him take Pilar’s power. Nor could she take it. As Drakos began to suck in Pilar’s life essence, Violet pushed her into the water. The gators were faster than Pilar, tearing her apart before she could Catalyze. Drakos tried to finish pulling in her essence, but Pilar’s death was too quick. The gators had waited long enough, teased by the blood and food.
A hand on Violet’s shoulder made her jerk, nearly dislodging her from her position. Kade gripped her, barely keeping his own balance. “You okay?” he asked.
She nodded, unable to get any words out to describe everything she felt. Horrified. Shocked. Relieved. Together they made their way back to the solid portion of the walkway.
Violet’s mother raced forward and clutched her. “Vee, you were foolish to put yourself in danger for your old ma.”
Violet held her tight. “My old ma means a lot to me.”
It was the first time she’d seen her mother express any kind of emotion. Tears streamed down her face when she pulled back and whispered, “Thank you.”
Sounds from the doorway drew her attention to Jessup, Ryan, and Mia. Behind them, several members of the other clans pressed close, rage on their faces.
“We heard a woman talking about killing our Kaitlyn,” Bren said.
“Pilar Garza,” one of the Murphys said.
Violet merely pointed to the pit where gators were still fighting. Several of the men raced forward and looked where Violet could not. They backed up with expressions of grim satisfaction. They all walked out into the fresh air. Violet helped her ma outside. Those gathered peppered Violet with questions, and she tried to answer the best she could.
“Never heard of a dying god before,” one said.
Kade took the keys from Jessup and unlocked Violet’s cuff. “He lied to Ferro and Pilar about their just rewards. He was probably lying about the dying part, too.”
No one apologized for the murders. One by one the other clans trailed off, their anger and bloodlust still simmering. When the last of them were gone, Jessup turned back to her. “You did good, thinking of the speakers.”
“And you did good getting them to listen.”
He shook his head. “Wasn’t easy. I wanted to kill ’em. But sometimes…sometimes peace is better.” He gave her a begrudging smile.
She’d take full credit for bringing her brothers around to that reasoning. It was nothing shy of a miracle. “I want to live my life not being afraid. I want to raise kids who can run free without fear.”
“Kids?” Jessup and her mother said at the same time.
“In the future.” Far in the future, she hoped. She resisted the urge to put her hand to her belly. Not ready for that yet. But they had sex without protection. She couldn’t afford to stop the fantasy with a condom request.
Jessup pointed to Kade, but his gaze was on her. “Now that this is over, is he going?”
She turned to Kade, who stood so close beside her that she could feel his body heat. Are you?
His hands squeezed her shoulders. “I’m her husband. I’m not going anywhere.”
Had he slipped into his pseudo memories again? He had that content expression he’d worn when they nuzzled and cooked together as husband and wife.
“He doesn’t remember…” Jessup let his words trail off meaningfully, the question clear.
Violet wasn’t sure, and she wasn’t going to risk losing Kade by telling him. She moved into his embrace. If he wanted to stay, she wouldn’t kowtow to her clan’s prejudices. “I love who I want.”
Jessup rolled his eyes, then shifted them to Mia and Ryan. “What about her?”
Ryan ran his fingers down her arm. “Hey, if Vee gets to keep him”—he gestured to Kade—”I can keep her.”
Mia swung around, looking both indignant and intrigued.
Ryan lifted his hands. “Kidding. How ’bout we have lunch and see what’s what?”
Well, what d’ya know?
“Hell, no,” Jessup said, but Ryan wasn’t paying him any attention. He and Mia were already wandering away. He gave them a look of disgust and turned back to Violet. “Want to grab a bite at the house? I’m starved.”
