See No Evil (Anthony Lockwood)

chapter 9

After a while, Lockwood and Violet separated. They didn't want to let the moment go, let alone each other, but there were things to be done for their job tomorrow. And Violet had a small inkling that she couldn't shake off.

Violet snuck down the stairs to the basement and pulled a chair over to the front of the door to the high-security room. She crossed one leg over the other and just waited. If she was right, she wouldn't have to wait long.

And she didn't. Not even half an hour later, footsteps crept down the stairs and over to where she was.

"Hello there, Lucy," Violet spoke up.

Lucy jumped about a foot in the air in fright, dropping Lockwood's keys onto the floor, "Jesus Christ."

Violet stood up and picked up the keys, "No, just me. Need something?"

Lucy looked around awkwardly, trying to find and excuse, "No. I was just-"

"Going to sneak down here and grab Annabel's ring and return the keys before Lockwood could notice?" Violet guessed, "Yeah, I figured."

Lucy's shoulders sagged, "How did you know?"

Violet took a step towards her, twirling the key ring around her finger, "Because I know you, Lucy. We've been sharing a space for just about a month now. And you've got an obsession with that ring. No way you were gonna leave it behind."

"Are you going to stop me?" Lucy questioned.

Violet scoffed, "God no. After that intruder, it would be safer to have it on us. They could easily break in while we're at Combe Carey Hall and grab it. Lockwood's 'high-security' room is 'high-security' bullshit. But if Lock catches you putting the keys back or anything like that, I'm throwing you under the bus and pretending I didn't know a thing. Got it?"

Lucy's mouth turned up into a grin, "Deal."

Violet turned, kicking the chair aside before unlocking the high-security room and stepping inside, "Besides, you've got that connection with Annabel. I don't really think there's a point keeping the ring away from you. It's just going to keep pulling you in and tempting you. And it's in a safe locket. Plus, it could be useful. You never know what might happen."

"Thank you, Vi. Seriously."

Violet opened up the safe and took out the locket, her fingers tingling from being so close to the source. She put the box back and closed up the safe, handing the locket over to Lucy.

"Keep it safe. Do not open it. Ok?"

Lucy took the locket and hid it in the palm of her hand, "I won't."

"Alright," Violet handed Lucy the keys after they left and locked up, "Now put those back. And remember, you get caught, I am not taking the fall."

Lucy smiled and nodded, "Got it."

Violet waved her off once they got out of the basement, "Now shoo. And get dressed please. You shouldn't be wandering around in a towel."

~

Violet let out a small yawn as the group passed over the bridge. They had just arrived in Berkshire off the train and were going to meet up with Fairfax. She was really not in the mood for this. Especially not after the emotional events of last night.

Lockwood kept smiling down at her figure next to him, his hand inching closer to hers as he tried to work up the courage to hold her hand. Violet had an adorable pout on her face and her short hair was pulled into tiny pigtails at the back of her head. Lockwood assumed that Lucy had done it because Violet never did anything with her hair besides brush it.