“You lost a lot of blood, shifter. Rest now. You’re not thinking like a proper omega,” Marta says dismissively.
“This is Omega U. She can say whatever she wants,” Violet tells Marta like it’s a reminder.
“Omega U?” I mouth to myself, wrinkling my nose at the terrible, groan-worthy name.
May as well put up a sign that reads, EASY TARGETS GALORE or IDUN’S FIRST STRIKE ZONE.
Marta just casts a bland look at Violet, but the shifter is so loopy she gives a dopey grin, dropping back.
“It’s all a dream, of course, but it’s the first time I’ve slept without nightmares,” she murmurs before drifting back off into a snore on the stretcher.
I finally look around and realize we’re in Violet’s new shop, given all the supplies on the shelves in the much larger space.
“She got blood all over your pretty new floors,” Marta says on a sigh.
“That’s why I got these. Blood cleans up easily,” Violet says, only confusing me, actually.
Why would there be a lot of blood?
Marta snorts as Violet stands with the babe, lifting a little bottle.
I’m not sure why Marta hasn’t outed us yet, but I notice how she watches Violet with the baby. I also notice that Arion has moved closer to her, studying the entire scene just a little too intensely.
“Their blood turns slimy and green when they die,” Marta states like she’s filling the need for conversation. “Hers still runs red, so she’ll be fine.”
“Obviously,” Violet mutters distractedly as the baby’s face crumples like he’s about to cry.
She quickly sets about soothing him, and Arion lowers himself to the ground like he’s prepared to hide in my illusion all night.
“You should get some rest. I’ll care for the child while—”
“She’s scared of alphas, vampires, Van Helsing knights, and essentially everyone else but Simpletons,” Violet says in interruption to her. “Until she’s not, no one else touches her baby. Not even my wolves. Make her trust you if you want me to get some sleep, because it’s clearly not happening for me tonight.”
The baby finally cries, and Violet kisses his head, staying calm like she’s a natural at this, as he quickly calms back down, soothed by just her patience.
I take a seat on the floor opposite Arion, content to just watch. She really is a fool if she thinks we’re letting her go that easily.
CHAPTER 9
VIOLET
“What are you supposed to do?” Ivannah asks me on a choked whisper, as I place her sleeping son next to her.
“Starting tomorrow, I begin the very impossible road of making people care.”
“What about—”
“Say her name and I’ll lose all respect for you. She’s not going to be a problem for me.”
She snorts derisively, and Jasper kicks in his bassinet.
“You only talk so brave because you’re so young,” she says like she’s warning me. “What you’re doing here will only last until she decides to tear it all down”
“Let her try,” I murmur distractedly, glancing at my phone.
She just looks at me like she’s too exhausted to argue, but her face falls when Jasper makes a whimpering sound in the bassinet. I walk out, hearing her getting up just as he starts to fuss, and I sigh as I lean against the door.
Anna pops out, giving me a thumb’s up.
“Keep an eye on her,” I tell her as I take a moment to rest my legs.
I hear Ivannah singing to Jasper. His fussiness quietens, and a small smile lights my lips. Feeling better once I hear her tending him, I watch as Anna hops back inside to keep an eye on them.
“Violet!” Shera calls from downstairs, and I make my own whimper, wishing my mother would sing me to freaking sleep.
“What?” I ask without moving, closing my eyes for just a few seconds.
Two arms lift me suddenly, and my head falls against a chest. I know exactly whose chest it is too.
“Put me down, Emit,” I mumble against his shirt.
“I’ll put you in bed so you can sleep, little monster. But you can’t be on your feet any longer,” he murmurs against my forehead, before brushing a kiss there. “And you can’t break up with friends the same as boyfriends.”
“You’ve been a shitty friend,” I point out, eyes still closed.
“Believe it or not, Violet, we’re just trying to keep you safe.”
“Believe it or not, that’s the last thing I want you to do,” I mumble, causing him to make a frustrated sound.
“Usually, a House of this size has thirty or more omegas doing all that you’ve been doing on your own,” he says as something soft hits my back.
I end up tucked against him, as he covers us up.
“No less than fifteen betas tackling the more sensitive items you want kept close to the vest,” he goes on, as I fight to force my body to move off the bed.
Mentally, I fight, that is. Physically, I can’t really move. I’m too tired.
“You’re trying to essentially be an alpha without an alpha mentality to pull it off, Violet. It’s too much for you to do, and you need alphas around to make things—”