The air shifted instantly and every muscle in the room went rigid, especially Violetās. She was certain she hadnāt told the witch her name.
Her voice was taut, eyes narrowing to sharp slits. "What did you just say?"
The once-timid Janice now wore an unsettling smirk. "You heard me, Violet."
She dragged out the name intentionally, savoring it. Then her lips curved wider, her voice dipping to a mocking purr. "Father says hi."
The words landed like poison and Violetās chest tightened, fury rushing in to fill the space. She moved without thinking, her palm shooting forward as a raw surge of power exploded from it.
The blast struck Janice dead-on. The witch flew backward, hitting the wall with bone-jarring force. Stone and plaster shattered, collapsing outward in a cloud of dust and debris. The crack of impact reverberated down the corridor, leaving a jagged, gaping hole where the wall had stood.
Violet crossed the wreckage in two strides and burst into the corridor but Janice had already vanished.
"Where did she go?" she demanded to no one in particular, scanning both ends frantically.
Griffin and Roman were at her side, their heads lifting, and their nostrils flaring as they sniffed the air.
"Sheās gone," Roman said with a clipped voice. His eyes glowed an unnatural green as his wolf sight searched farther ahead.
Almost at the same moment, the Nova assigned to escort the witch back appeared at the far end of the hall. She froze at the sight of the destroyed wall, her jaw dropping. "What in the worldā"
She didnāt get the chance to finish because Griffinās eyes flashed amber, and in the blink of an eye he was in front of her, one hand around her throat as he lifted her clean off the ground.
"Where is she?!" he thundered.
"Wh-who?" the Nova gasped, her legs kicking frantically.
"The witch you sent here!" Griffinās voice was a growl edged with fury.
"IāI donāt know..." she wheezed, desperation plain in her eyes.
"Donāt play games with me!" His grip tightened.
"Griffin!" Violet called his name. "Sheās telling the truth."
Griffin released her instantly and The Nova fell to the floor, coughing and rubbing her bruised neck.
"Go. Get Moonmother Thessara, now." Griffin ordered.
The young Nova didnāt wait to be told twice, and bolted.
Violet turned to him. "Whoever that was, I donāt think any of them knew her."
"Youāre saying the witch was working alone?" Griffin asked, disbelief flickering across his features.
"Father says hi," Roman said quietly, repeating the words Janice had left behind.
Violetās jaw tightened. "Angus."
Roman and Griffin exchanged a troubled look at the mention of that name.
"How did he even find you here?" Griffin asked.
"The seal over my power is gone. Maybe we werenāt as careful as we thought." Violet answered, running a hand through her hair.
"So, he sends a witch to...what? Drop a message?" Romanās brows furrowed, his voice thick with confusion.
Violet shook her head. "I think it was more than that. I canāt shake the feeling she was testing my magic. She could have attacked me but she didnāt. Instead, she took my strike instead." Her voice went up a notch, a dangerous heat lacing her words. "And I hope that was enough of a taste to burn in her memory."
The air between them was taut when the sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the corridor. Mother Thessara came into view only to freeze at the sight of the wrecked quarters.
"I told you not to draw anyā"
She didnāt finish because Griffin was already in front of her, his towering frame casting her in shadow, his voice a deep, rumbling threat.
"Did you even investigate the witch you brought here?"
"W-what?" Thessaraās composure cracked, her breath faltering under the oppressive weight of his Alpha authority.
"The witch you sent here came after my mate!" His growl rumbled through the hall.
Thessaraās eyes widened, darting to Violetāshe was unharmed, thank the goddessābefore flicking back to Griffin. "I had no idea. I contacted her in secret based on a recommendation, nothing more."
She hesitated, then muttered with a bitter edge, "This is why witches canāt be trusted. I warned you and yetā"
Her words died off under the sharp glare Griffin leveled at her, and she didnāt need to be told that the next sentence might cost her.
"I need everything you know about that witch, especially where she lives. Iām going to track her." Griffin told her.
Violet stepped in immediately. "You canāt go after her alone. Itās dangerous."
"Who said anything about going alone?" Griffin turned and hooked his finger at the young Nova lingering by the corridor wall. The blood drained from her face as if heād just signed her death warrant.
She gulped. "I... I canātā"
"Oh, You can," Griffin said flatly. "And you will."
Violet still was not comfortable with the idea and reminded him. "Sheās a witch."
"Iāll rip her throat out before she even thinks about summoning a spell." His tone left no room for doubt. Then he added, "Besides, Angus is after you, not me. Thatās why Roman will keep you safe until Iām back."
Roman nodded once. "Fine, be careful. To ensure Violet doesnāt die from worry, Iāll keep an eye on you."
As if to punctuate his words, a shadow streaked from the trees outside. A black bird swooped down, talons clicking lightly against Griffinās shoulder before it climbed to perch on his back.
"Heāll be my eyes and ears," Roman said, the corner of his mouth twitching.
Griffin glanced over his shoulder at the bird, then back at Roman. "Bird surveillance, super chill."
Finally, his amber eyes locked on the trembling Nova. "Letās go."
She hesitated long enough for Griffin to tilt his head in silent warning and that was all it took for her to follow him.
"Ensure my mateās comfortable." That was the last instruction he gave Thessara and left.
Meanwhile, Violet watched them disappear down the corridor, her gut twisting. How did they go from having a great time together to this?