LOGINVioletThe space was full of activity. Construction equipment was scattered across the massive apace and workers wearing hard hats and high-visibility vests were bustling around. The sound of power tools echoed off the concrete walls.I parked in a spot farther from the elevator bank than usual, blocked by equipment and supplies, and walked toward the building entrance with growing confusion.The lobby was even more chaotic. The elevator banks that had been there yesterday were gone, replaced by gaping holes covered with temporary barriers. More workers swarmed the area, calling to each other over the noise of construction.I approached the reception desk, where the receptionist was answering calls."Excuse me," I said when she hung up. "What's going on? What happened to the elevators?"She looked up, recognition flashing across her face. "Oh, Miss Violet! Mr. Lockwood ordered them demolished completely. We're installing new glass elevators instead that are completely transparent, an
VioletMy room felt like a sanctuary when I finally reached it.I changed into pajamas, and went through the motions of washing my face and brushing my teeth. I hesitantly stared at myself in the bathroom mirror, half expecting to see glowing eyes or reaching hands.But there was only my own reflection, pale and tired and human.Back in my room, I noticed the moon visible through my window. It was full and bright, hanging in the dark sky like a beacon.I moved to the window and looked up at it, letting the silvery light wash over me. There was comfort in the moon, in the white light it cast over all of us."Moon Goddess," I whispered, my hands pressed against the cool glass. "If you're listening, please keep me safe. I am terrified of what is going on. I…I don’t want to feel afraid. Please protect me from whatever is happening. Please guide me through this darkness." Then added “And protect him too”The prayer felt silly, childish even. But it also felt necessary, like reaching out to
VioletThe words might as well have been poison. I watched them land, watched Elijah's face crumple like I'd physically struck him.All the color drained from his features. His eyes went wide with pain so raw it made my stomach turn. His mouth opened but no sound came out, like I'd stolen his ability to speak.When he finally found his voice, it was strained, rough, barely above a whisper."You're right." He swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing with the effort. "I'm sorry. I was forgetting my place.""Elijah, no, I mean Alpha Elijah, I should apologize. I am just worked up""No, you're absolutely right." He cleared his throat, the sound harsh. His hands clenched into fists at his sides before he deliberately relaxed them, forcing his body back into controlled composure. "I overstepped. Again. It seems to be a pattern with me."He turned to face me, and the careful blankness of his expression was somehow worse than the raw pain had been. It was like he'd shut down, pulled away, ret
VioletWhen I realized he wasn’t going anywhere I took the bottle from him, forcing myself to stop behaving erratically.I was the goddamn Director of Design. I was supposed to be calm and composed, not screaming like a lunatic.Thankfully, nobody except Elijah saw my meltdown. My gaze flicked to his torn shirt that he quickly buttoned over and covered up with his coat.I raised a shaking hand to wipe at my face after finishing another bottle of water."Here." Elijah pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, offering it to me.I hesitated before taking it and dabbed at my face, wiping away the sweat and probably most of my ruined makeup along with it.I wondered what a disaster I must look to him with that messed up hair and mascara running down my eyes.What would the security guards think of me? What would Elijah think of me after I clung to him and clawed at him?I felt embarrassed and couldn’t even look him in the eye."You missed a spot," Elijah said softly.I lowered the handkerch
VioletHe slightly angled my face to the right and I followed his gaze, turning my head slightly to look at the now-open elevator doors.Three security guards stood there, their expressions a mix of concern and confusion. Behind them, the hallway of the parking garage stretched out normally. Fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, concrete walls solid and unremarkable.“Calm down. You’re safe” He repeated as I still didn’t let go of his shirt.The security guards were staring at us. At me, specifically, still clinging to Elijah like he was a life raft in stormy seas. Their faces were carefully neutral in the way of people witnessing something awkward but trying to be professional about it."Leave," Elijah ordered, his voice brooking no argument. "Now. And get maintenance to check this elevator immediately.""Alpha, but you are…" One of them began but Elijah repeated in a stern voice."Now!!"The security guards nodded and hurried away immediately, leaving the two of us in the still open
VioletMeanwhile, Elijah grabbed me, turned me away from the doors and pulled me against his chest. His body formed a shield between me and whatever I was seeing, solid and warm and real."It's okay," he was saying, his voice urgent but controlled. "You're okay. Nothing's going to hurt you. I'm here."But it wasn't okay. Nothing was okay. Because I could still see her over his shoulder, could see the witch pulling herself further out of the mirror-door, could see her mouth moving in silent words that felt like hooks in my mind.Finish what was started. Free me!!"No," I whimpered, my body growing tired due to the struggle against his arms that might as well have been made of steel.No matter how much I scratched or clawed at him, he didn’t let go.He only pulled me closer, burying my face in Elijah's shirt, wrapping my arms around him with desperate strength."No, no, no."His arms tightened around me, one hand coming up to cradle the back of my head. "I've got you," he murmured, his
VioletThe world around me felt half unreal, as though I was drifting through a corridor between waking and sleep, and every sound came through a thick layer of fog. The majestic manor loomed over me, but I was whisked inside before I could take a good look at the tall, imposing structure.Someone
VioletAmber instantly started to run away from me, but I was faster and blocked her way almost immediately.“Hey, wait” I called after her.“I just recalled this meeting…” she brushed me off, but I managed to grab her by the elbow.“Please,” I said, panting and trying to get my words out.“I am no
VioletI braced myself for glares, angry stares and a lot of huffing. I was prepared to see Elijah grow irritated upon seeing me.He had warned Cassie that he wasn’t coming to the lunch and he certainly didn’t want me around.But she had managed to do both somehow.And she knew we would both react
VioletThe way Elijah casually dismissed me as just Cassie’s friend shouldn’t have bothered me so much. It was what I had asked him to do. Yet it did.“In five hours? What do you mean?” Cassie’s high pitched wail dragged me out of my thoughts.Elijah kept walking away unhurriedly while she buzzed







