Page 49 of Violet

It also explains why Liam was trying to reach me this morning. Not that it matters. Nothing matters except finding Violet!

“I didn’t, but Bert sensed them. Said they were probably witches using a cloaking spell.”

“Witches... Using a cloaking spell...” I start to tremble.

“You’re safe.”

“No, I’m not!” I shake my head wildly. “They have Violet. And I need help finding her.”

So I can trade places with her before they decide to kill us both.

Chapter 21

Violet

“You need help finding Violet? But aren’t you Violet?” Liam lets out a loud growl that shakes the entire car. I jump and he quickly backs away from me like he’d been burned. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to growl. It just happens sometimes when I’m frustrated. I really didn’t mean to scare you!”

“I’m not scared. Not of you.” I cover his large hand with mine. “I’m scared of them.”

“I won’t let them hurt you. I won’t let anyone hurt you. You’re my mate!” Liam bares his teeth, and his eyes glint with murderous rage. Then he suddenly backs away from me, his eyes wide and filled with apology.

“You don’t scare me, Liam.” I give his hand a gentle squeeze. “You make me feel safe.”

Which I have no right feeling. Not right now.

“I’ll always keep you safe,” Liam vows, and I really, really wish it were true.

“It’s not me I’m worried about,” I tell him gently. “It’s Violet. Bert’s mate. The one I called Birdie. Her name’s actually Violet.”

“Is your name—?”

“Also Violet.” And why does everyone always act so confused when two people have the same name?

“Violet.” Liam nods, like everything’s finally starting to make sense. Then he puts the car in gear and hits the gas, sending dirt and dust flying everywhere.

“Where are we going?” I cry, holding onto my seatbelt for dear life.

“To see your Violet.”

“But I don’t even know where to start looking!”

“I do.” Liam grins and floors it.

This time around, following the rules of the road seems like the last thing on the troll’s mind. He only keeps one hand on the wheel, he doesn’t bother checking his mirrors, and he accelerates until we’re going way above the speed limit.

Within minutes, we pull up at a three-story mansion that’s just on the edge of town—a slightly eerie looking one, with an unkempt front yard and curtained windows, so there’s no way to see what’s inside.

“Are you sure she’s here?” I frown as we slowly make our way up the circular driveway and stop by the front steps.

“Do you trust me, gorgeous?”

I do, but I also trusted Nole, and that didn’t go so well. I’d trusted my mother, and she’d been just as bad. And I’d trusted my sister, but she left and never looked back. So me and trust? Not the best track record. I nod anyway.

“Then let’s go.” Liam gets out of the squad car, and the whole thing rocks under his weight. I effortlessly do the same—young body perk I really, really missed—and when Liam joins me by the front steps, he takes my hand in his.

The troll’s hand is impossibly large, and tingles travel up my arm. Somehow, he manages to make me feel safe and nervous, all at the same time—or maybe that’s just the fact that we’re going up the creepy mansion’s front steps.

The door is unlocked—which really doesn’t make me feel any better—and Liam’s booted feet echo eerily as he leads me down the long, empty hallway. I catch the faint sounds of a piano, an unfamiliar tune that belongs in a haunted house.