VIOLET DAWN

Chapter 31

"What am I going to do, Bess?" Violet sat cross legged on a comfortable arm chair in Patrick's library, the kitten in her lap. The past week had been the best of her life and she knew it was because of Patrick. He made everyday special. Escorting her to parties, dining with her, reading to her...they went out on walks and played with Bess for hours.

She had never been this happy. 

She had never been in love before.

"What am I going to do, Bess?" Violet repeated the question uselessly. Bess stood on her wobbly feet and tried to reach Violet's face. Lifting her, Violet placed the kitten between her chin and shoulder, loving the way Bess purred with contentment. After the bath Patrick gave the cat last night, she smelled like soap and warmth.

"I love him, Bess."

Bess continued to purr as Violet stroked her fur.

"I love you too, you know?"

The kitten shifted a tiny bit, then purred some more.

"I've never been this happy." And Violet was afraid of it all going away. And it would go away, because she needed Ismail to be brought to justice. 

But how, how was she meant to carry out what she had been working towards her whole life when she felt this way?

There was no way she could let Ismail be. But maybe if she explained to Patrick. He was so smart, would he not understand if she told him what Ismail had done? Patrick would know what to do. Violet knew they were best friends, brothers of a sort, but surely he would believe her. He would have to investigate at least and he would find out the truth. Blood drinkers could read minds, Violet knew that. If Patrick read Ismail's mind, he would know the truth of what she said. They would have to punish him. The Seer had taught her about the laws of the Vampire clans so she knew they were not allowed to hurt humans. They would have to punish Ismail.

Violet stood from her seat and lifted Bess slowly, trying not to wake the sleeping kitten as she put her down on the chair. Nerves bubbled in her stomach. She was going to tell Patrick. She couldn't repay his care by lying to him any longer. 

It had seemed impossible ere now to convince the blood drinkers that they had a murderer among them, but things were different now. Patrick cared about her, he would help her, she believed in him. 

Violet refused to think what would happen if he refused to believe her. She walked out of the library, lifting her nose to catch his scent. The air in the hallway smelled like snow...someone must have opened the door recently.

A few more breaths brought Patrick's scent to her. He was in his study only a few doors down, but there was someone else...

Violet walked slowly, her slipper clad feet making little noise as she continued to breathe deeply. Jasmine, musk, smoke... Violet tried to smell beyond the burning logs in the study fireplace, she took another breath. Smoke, jasmine, blood, rouge, cinnamon; a woman. Who was in the study with Patrick?

Curious, Violet stopped in front of the study door and listened.

*****

Patrick leaned back in his chair, irritation beginning to build. Elisabeth had come into his study a claiming she wanted to apologise, but now she was acting ridiculous.

"Is it that little human? Is she still entertaining you?" Elisabeth threw her hair over her shoulder, and leaned over his desk, her skimpy outfit hiding nothing. "She can't possibly have the experience to please you!"

"She doesn't have the kind of experience you are talking about, no." Patrick thought it was ironic that what Elisabeth assumed to be a bad thing was actually something he loved about Violet. She was innocent, but passionate and willing to try anything to please him. And she pleased him more than any woman had before.

Of course the vampire in front of him would not understand any of that. The only thing innocent about Elisabeth was her addiction to cinnamon biscuits.

"She's human, she can't possibly keep your interest much longer. You will tire of her soon!" Elisabeth insisted. 

Patrick crossed his arms and made no comment. What was between him and Violet and how long it might last was not Elisabeth's concern.

"We were good together," Elisabeth softened her tone, smiling at him sweetly now. Patrick was tempted to throw her out of his house, but wanted this issue brought to a conclusion. She had to understand that he wanted no part of her and would never want her again.

"Yes, we were, Elisabeth."

"And you liked my hands on you, didn't you?"

"Yes, I did." Patrick wanted this conversation over with. "I did, but..." a sound from the door had him looking across the room. If it was Violet she would have gotten the wrong impression. Damn it.

"But what?" Elisabeth pouted, hands on her hips. Patrick ignored her and walked across the room to open the door.

"But what leader!"

There was no one in the hall and then a small movement had him looking down. Bess!

Crouching, Patrick picked up the kitten that began to purr immediately. The silly cat was a veritable purring machine and absolutely irresistible with that little pink nose and the softest fur.

"Listen Elisabeth," Patrick sighed as he shut the door once more and turned to the vampire, "we had a good time, but it is over and it will not happen again."

Elisabeth's eyes gleamed with anger, "It is that whores fault."

Anger flashed in his own eyes, and his tone was ominous as he took a step closer to the woman, "It is no one's fault but yours and if you so much as look at Violet the wrong way there will be hell to pay."

Seeing the fear in Elisabeth's eyes, Patrick was satisfied, "Now leave my house."

"Yes, Leader," the woman bowed her head as she made her way out of the room. A moment later Patrick heard the front door shut and sighed, relieved.