Violet Forsythe has been through hell.
Her entire family is dead, her daywalker best friend hates her guts, and her vampire boyfriend is giving her the silent treatment all the way from Italy.
But Violet is anything but a quitter, and she has a few...
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When Demetri led Violet into the room, with Felix following from the rear, Alec was seized with envy.
He wanted to be down there, on the floor with her. He wanted to be there for her, for her to look to him for comfort.
Violet was led to the center of the room, where Demetri and Felix flanked her loosely, angling their bodies toward her. Santiago hovered several yards behind her, blocking her in completely.
Violet didn't seem bothered by the intimidation tactic.
Alec knew Violet. When she cared, she felt it with her whole heart. But if she didn't, her apathy was all consuming.
Today looked like an apathetic day.
Violet looked vulnerable as she stood there in her lace mini dress, layered with her usual opaque white tights and her thick winter cloak, surrounded by three guards that were at minimum twice her size.
She appeared so harmless.
Alec knew that she never truly meant ill - not really. He knew that she was picked on over and over again, and as result, most of her violent outbursts were reactionary. Her fits were nothing more than self defense, amplified by rage.
But he didn't know if his masters cared to consider that factor.
Alec couldn't help but wonder if he could've saved Violet from her current position if he had intervened instead of leaving her to her own devices.
"Thank you for joining us," Aro greeted Violet cordially.
Violet grimaced.
She'd always had a hard time controlling her facial expressions. Alec knew she couldn't help it. She wore her heart on her sleeve.
"I assume you know why you've been summoned this evening," Aro continued without comment.
"No," Violet said simply as she eyed the assemblage of guards that lined the perimeter of the room.
Alec wondered intently what Violet was thinking. He found it hard to predict, considering the wild things that tended to come out of her mouth.
"One of our guests was murdered in the hallways this morning. He was burned to death," Aro said somberly. "Unfortunately, we're under the impression that you are the one responsible."
Violet glanced up at the ceiling for a moment, appearing to be contemplating.
"Do you have anything to say in your defense?" Aro prodded.
"No," Violet said, returning her attention to Aro without timidity.
