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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Of course, I was totally lying.
There was no way in hell I'd be caught dead making intentional eye contact with Demetri, much less confronting him. I was mortified enough as it was, being crammed into the back of the car between him and Jane on our way out to visit the Blackwood coven.
The only bright side was that Demetri didn't seem to notice all of the evil little grins Jane kept shooting at me.
I mean - I knew she was just trying to help, in her own twisted way, but Jesus Christ!
"So, do I actually have to do anything tonight or am I just along for the ride?" I asked generally in a desperate attempt to distract myself from the long, winding drive through deep, eerie woods.
"You are going to observe," Jane confirmed. "You're going to stay close, stay quiet, and don't move."
"Fun," I muttered.
"Take some mental notes. If your monkey brain is able to absorb something then perhaps this trip won't be a complete waste of time," Jane said.
"And this outfit is necessary?" I complained.
"You need to look the part," Alec said from the passenger seat.
"Sure, but in white? I'm going to stick out like a sore thumb," I replied.
"Your heartbeat and your scent will make you stick out like a sore thumb. The white just indicates your rank," Alec said, turning in his seat to look at me.
"Which is what, exactly?" I asked, leaning in a little.
"The black sheep," he said teasingly with a smile.
"Oh hohoho good one," I said sarcastically, though I returned the smile.
"The prodigal child," Jane said with a sigh. "What a nightmare you are."
"I am so sure," I said, punching her in the arm. She didn't budge and my hand kind of hurt, but it was worth the gesture.
"I agree with Jane. We'd all be much better off with you in a ditch," Felix joked from the driver's seat.
"What's stopping you?" I challenged him with a tight smile.
"For one, we'd have to figure out who has dibs," he replied.
"Oh, so you get to drain me, too. I see how it is," I scoffed.
"I get first dibs. I've spent the most time taking care of her," Jane asserted. "I haven't seen any of you trolls serving her lunch."
"She kind of has a point," Felix allowed. "Though I've had to endure sitting through all of the bitching and drama she's caused. I'm nominating myself."
"Do I get a vote?" I piped up with a laugh.
"I think it's pretty obvious," Alec said smugly. "If anyone gets to enjoy Violet it should be me."
"Nobody is draining her," Demetri snapped.
My heart lurched in surprise. He hadn't said a single word through the whole drive, so his involvement in the conversation was incredibly abrupt.
"We're just kidding, Demetri. Calm down," Felix chuckled dismissively.
That was Demetri's only contribution to our conversation throughout the whole drive.
"So. What about the Blackwood coven?" I asked, pushing the conversation forward in a different direction. "Why are we paying them a visit again?"
"We've been keeping tabs on them for the past couple of decades," Jane explained. "Camila and Klaus have a history of making poor choices when they choose to turn people. We've had to intervene before, due to a few of their more unruly coven members, and they've been given one last warning."
"Aro wants us to ensure that they've been keeping up with their end of the agreement," Alec added.
"It never hurts to remind people of our authority from time to time, anyway," Jane said.
It was fascinating to watch the twins talk together, seamlessly passing a metaphoric microphone back and forth as they spoke as if they were one person.
"Do you think they'll kick up a fight?" I asked as my brow pitched with concern.
"No," Alec snorted.
"Not that it matters," Jane said as she readjusted her cloak.
"Really?" I asked skeptically.
"We're the best of the best, Vi. There's no need for you to be concerned on our behalf," Alec smiled at me.
"I'm not worried," I said defensively. "I don't care about what happens to you people. I'd just be out of a ride home if you get yourselves killed."
"Nobody is a match for us," Jane smirked. "As long as you don't mess things up for us."
I rolled my eyes. "Leave me in the car for all I care," I huffed as I crossed my arms.
