The Violet Thread (Part One: Portal Rods)

Chapter Sixteen

Violet opened the door slowly, the light cascading from the hallway onto the floor. The room smelled stale and dank. Katia stood in the center of the room, her legs planted shoulder width apart, arms behind her back. She seemed stiff, strong. She stared at a blank wall in the darkness. She turned towards them, her face cold and vacant. When she spoke, her voice was deep and unnatural as if it were someone else straining her vocal cords.

"You look just like her. It really is remarkable."

Violet stepped through the doorway despite Sawyer's hand on her arm and her friends filled in behind her.

"So this is the little band that has been causing so much trouble."

"What are you doing to her?" Wyeth barked.

"You must be one of those filthy little gypsies also. I should have wiped them out long ago. Oh well, it's not you I'm after now anyway. Humans, a drakond, gypsies, and two fairies it would seem."

Katia turned back to Violet, her face still vacant. She was beginning to look like one of the statues from outside Gavin's office. The edge unintentionally fell off his voice when he spoke to her.

"I have been calling you Selena in my head, but that can't be right. What is your name child?"

"Violet," she replied without hesitation, "Violet Darshwani. And the woman you are controlling is Katia. She is my friend. She is my family. She is not your puppet. Stop what you are doing to her."

"You mistake my-"

"I do not mistake anything," Violet said, cutting him off.

She took a step toward Katia who did not move. Her face did not even twitch. Was she even aware of what was happening to her? Arach growled behind her. She could feel the heat building in him. She could sense the power fill in Sawyer and Wyeth. She had not pulled on any magic herself, but she was ready should she need to. Her amulet pulsed against her skin.

"You rule this world through fear and manipulation. You undermine and pit people against each other. Even now, you use the body of someone we love to exploit our emotions."

"My, you are just like her. Fire and all-"

"But I am not her," Violet said firmly, interrupting him again.

"Be careful child-"

"I am not your child!" Violet declared, her feet lifting from the floor. She was not directly using any magic, but a glow surrounded her. The etching of her wings danced as if ready to explode off her back."I am the daughter's daughter of your brother. The man you killed and the woman you loved. My ancestors tried to keep peace with you and you slaughtered their people. I will not make that mistake."

"You are nothing," Gavin spat. His voice was intense and acrimonious. He was not used to being interrupted. He was not used to people standing up to him. And he was certainly not used to anyone knowing who he was and not cowering before him. "You will beg me for forgiveness before I am done with you."

Violet sneered. "I am already done with you!"

She threw up her hands and a brilliant white light filled the room. A ringing filled their ears. She had gotten the idea from the storms outside. She did not want Gavin to hear her. She turned to others, wrapping them in air so they could hear her clearly despite the sound.

"There's no time left. Katia will follow. Meet at the tree. Run!"

She waved her palms again and another flash allowed them time to escape the room before Katia could pursue. Violet grabbed the portal rods and her small satchel she had left at the base of the stairs. She wove air around her body and holstered the rods against her back. Wyeth whispered below his breath and the front door flew open long enough for them all to make it through. Then, with another whisper, he slammed it behind them. A moment later it shattered, exploding into splinters as Katia, without faltering and gaining stability on her forced feet, came charging after them. The tempest raged around them as they headed into the forest. Despite the winterized lands, the trees in this area were still dense and full of leaves.