Read Violet Eden Chapters 04 - Endless for Free Online Page A

wondering why we’re here …’ Griffin started.
    ‘Not particularly,’ Evelyn responded, flicking her badly chopped bangs from her face. ‘If you’re here, you’re here for me.’
    Griffin nodded. ‘I’m afraid so, Evelyn. The Academy, it seems, are well aware of your location. They’ve demanded that you travel to New York for a full evaluation. “Non-negotiable” were their words. And,’ he looked at me and I knew my night had just gone from hopeful to hopeless, ‘they’ve strongly urged that Violet makes the trip as well to attend formal Grigori assessment. If she doesn’t, they’ll consider it a hostile act against the Academy’s procedures and will respond accordingly.’
    ‘Meaning they’ll send forces here,’ Evelyn said.
    Griffin’s lack of response and weary downcast eyes were answer enough.
    Evelyn sighed. ‘Josephine?’
    Griffin tilted his head to the side and half smiled in tacit acknowledgement. He turned to Dad. ‘Josephine is second in command on the Assembly that controls the Academy.’
    ‘I don’t care. Neither of you will be going anywhere,’ Dad said, looking between us and then to Griffin. ‘Forces or not.’
    Evelyntook Dad’s hand in hers. ‘It’s okay, James. Josephine and I go way back. I know how she operates and I also know when not to push her.’ She glanced at Griffin. ‘I would never bring Academy forces into your city. You’ve already taken an undeserved risk harbouring me for the past three weeks and I’m very grateful.’
    Evelyn’s words seemed genuine but her tone remained clipped. I couldn’t work her out.
    ‘Of course. But with all due respect – it was deserved.’ Griffin looked at me and nodded.
    I swallowed the lump in my throat.
    ‘Indeed,’ Evelyn said.
    Griffin settled into a chair. ‘But you’re right. In my position, I cannot go up against the Academy personally. I’m bound to the Assembly and it directly affects the safety of this city. I’d never normally put you or Violet at risk but there is another reason I believe you both need to go.’
    Evelyn took a deep breath and closed her eyes. When she opened them I saw something new – her inner warrior. She stared at me and I had to work hard not to shrink back.
    ‘Lilith has gone home.’
    Griffin gave a weary nod.
    ‘I guess the party really is over,’ Spence said, slumping into his chair.
    I couldn’t have agreed more.
    ‘What do you mean, gone “home”?’ Lincoln asked, pushing away from the wall.
    ‘As much as anywhere was a home for her.’ Griffin rubbed his eyes, the weight of his words increasing. ‘We suspected she would, but only just received confirmation. Lilith lived longenough to travel to all corners of the world, but before Evelyn returned her she’d taken a shine to the state of New York. Manhattan is heavily populated by exiles. She will have strength and numbers there.’
    Evelyn pushed back in her chair, paused, then stood up.
    ‘I knew you’d keep this,’ she said to Dad, fingering a large white ceramic vase that sat in its usual place on the table.
    He cleared his throat. ‘Of course.’
    I, at least, knew this story. Evelyn, an artist herself, used to make ceramics. This was the last piece she’d crafted. Dad had always kept it on display.
    She picked up the heavy vase, as though it were as light as a feather.
    ‘I’m glad you did,’ she said, before throwing it on the floor.
    Dad jumped to his feet, hands out. ‘No!’
    ‘I’ll make you another one. I promise.’ She leaned down and pushed the fragments aside until her hand found what she was looking for. She stood, holding her Grigori dagger.
    ‘Cool,’ Zoe murmured.
    Griffin was the one to gasp. ‘I don’t understand. Grigori blades are known to disappear if they exist without a Grigori owner.’
    Evelyn turned the dagger’s handle in her hand, getting reacquainted with it. ‘Nothing about me is normal.’
    My hand passed over the hilt of my own Grigori dagger, the dagger that