“While I’m interning for Damien Morpheous to prove I can be a better beta than I appeared to be earlier, I’d like to request sanctuary for an omega. She’s dear to me,” he adds, eyes glancing back at Violet again.
“I have wolves who vet the omegas to ensure they want and deserve sanctuary, so that we don’t get played or taken advantage of. They’ll see anyone requesting admittance,” Violet states like he should already know that.
Talbot just gives her a slow nod. “It’ll take her a few days to get here. Is there a way I can rush her to the front of the line when she does? That’s the favor I’m requesting, Ms. Carmine.”
“There won’t be a line. We have a system in place, Talbot Lane. You’re supposed to be better at predicting things, aren’t you?”
I admit that I enjoy the incubus squirming in the seat like he’s trying to figure out what to say next.
“I think you’re underestimating the impact you just had on the entire immortal community, Ms. Carmine.”
“In other words, he predicts a lot of omegas will line up to let you be their whipping post,” I grind out, glaring over at her.
“That’s not—”
“Talbot, shut up. Trust me. Just shut up,” I say to him, as Arion struggles not to remove the idiot’s head.
He locks his lips, as I look back over at Violet, ignoring the car full of alphas who don’t want her noticing them, while she idly stares out the window at the passing scenery.
“Do you know why I broke up with you?” Violet randomly asks me.
“Because I fucked up,” I state, not bothering to elaborate.
She smiles a little sadly as she shakes her head.
“No. It’s because you simply don’t care what an omega—even me—tries to accomplish, even if it’s in compliance with your own laws. It’s because it’s not worth the turmoil Idun will cause. I broke up with you because you refused to understand that Idun will never be my problem, no matter how many times she needs to be dealt with.” Her eyes return to mine as we pull up outside the back of Omega U.
“Arion will never choose me over her, and that’s okay. I don’t need him,” Violet goes on, causing Arion to shoot a glare at her. “Damien doesn’t even bother feeding from his one source, because he has no plans of dealing with Idun,” she adds, making Damien lean forward, his hand almost touching her, but stopping short.
“Emit, the alpha who does still care, will only care about all his wolves—to hell with vampires and any other weaker beings Idun will crush if she goes unchecked. They’re not his problem.”
Emit bristles from the backseat, but Violet stares at her house ahead.
“I built this place, because not even you would listen to a voice weaker than an alpha’s. You’re all hardened, and I understand why. I don’t even judge you for it, despite appearances,” Violet says as she pushes open her door.
Her eyes flick back to mine as she steps out on her good leg.
“So that means I have to step up if I want someone to care about everyone who will die. If Idun claims even one life from sanctuary, no one will ever have faith in it. And all you care about is what she may do to all of you and me. To hell with everyone else.”
She hops on one leg as Shera comes outside, eyes rimmed red like she’s been crying, as she comes to an abrupt halt, seeing Violet in all her battered glory.
“You’re supposed to heal faster than this,” Shera manages to say through strain.
“Well, I ran my mouth a little to make sure she was hitting hard enough to send a message,” Violet chirps. “No worries, Shera. I’m good. I barely felt it at all.”
She lies so well I’d believe her if not for the fact I watched her break.
Tiara practically sprints out to us, and she throws Violet’s arm around her shoulders, before helping her toward the back door.
It’s late, and no one is out, but the spotlights are blaring down on the ground, lighting everything up. Omegas are scared of the dark, after all.
I glance around at the bars lifting on the windows, hearing a buzzer from somewhere inside, as Violet holds her head high, despite the beating and public shaming.
Emit comes up on my left, Arion on my right, and Damien on his right. Shera wipes the tears from her face, as Arion just stares at her, becoming visible once Damien drops the illusion. She doesn’t even look surprised to see him, as she turns her glare on us.
“You may want to read that big thick book now,” Shera tells us very calmly, as another tear leaks from her eye.
I’ve never seen Shera with tears before.
My gaze moves back to Violet, as Leiza, Lemon, and Mary come rushing out to throw their arms around the maddening gypsy as well, even as Violet continues to feign no pain.
“She built this because she knew you’d stand still. Now there’s nothing left to do but watch her work,” Shera adds, as she turns and walks away.
“She’s certainly mouthier when she’s not scared of my pencils,” Arion says, mock indifference in his tone, even as his jaw tics.
“Clear!” I hear Anna shouting, just before something electrical zaps, and Violet comes shooting out of the door, soaring through the air.