Violet Eden Chapters 04 - Endless

future. Our future. All the things we knew we’d never have.
    Eventually, fantasy gave way to reality.
    ‘Everythingis about to end, isn’t it?’ I asked.
    Lincoln stroked my hair and ran his hands down my arms before kissing me – just a light kiss on my lips, but one heavy with his love and I soaked it up.
    ‘Not us, Vi. Everything else may end, but not us. What we have … We’re endless.’



CHAPTER THIRTY
    ‘Let your plans be dark and as impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.’
    Sun Tzu
    B y lateafternoon, the honeymoon was over and we were arming up. Phoenix was due soon and we wanted to be ready. I’d found a pad and pen earlier and while Lincoln patrolled the perimeter I’d taken the time to write some letters.
    Goodbyes.
    I stared at the folded pieces of paper, before packing them away in my bag. One for Dad, one for Steph and one for Evelyn.
    It was unfair, having lived my whole life without a mother, to suddenly have her back, and now, before I’d even given her a proper chance, to be losing her again. We still didn’t know what would happen to her once Lilith was ended, but I hoped for both Evelyn and Dad’s sake that she wouldn’t be taken from the world, too.
    I wrote a group letter to Griffin, Spence, Zoe, Sal and Dapper. I wasn’t sure at first whether to include Onyx in the gang – him having made no secret that his loyalties should always be in question – but I quickly realised that whether he admitted it or not, he belonged there. I told him as much in the letter. I didn’t write to each of them individually as many of the same thoughts applied to them all – thank you, and wishes for their long and happy lives. I wished Spence good luck with his partner. It was comforting to know that in a couple of months he’d finally have someone by his side. I told him I was sorry I wouldn’t be there to have his back like he’d always had mine.
    Lincoln finallymade the call to Griffin, telling him we had a way to try and get at least some of the captured children to safety. Griffin saw through Lincoln’s many omissions – even over the phone – and insisted we wait for the others to get there. Dapper, Steph, Salvatore and Onyx had apparently touched down in New York and were on their way to the cabin. Griffin had sent Spence on ahead, while he remained behind at the Academy to try to convince the Assembly to send more Grigori reinforcements when the time came.
    It was strange to think they were so close – and with the almost completed Qeres, too. But Phoenix had been clear there would be no way to delay Lilith that wouldn’t result in deadly consequences.
    Lincoln told Griffin what he could, without alarming him with the entire truth, asking him to make sure Dapper knew to expect an important call.
    I could hear Griffin arguing, but Lincoln just carried on calmly instructing him to start readying the troops and that we would get Lilith’s location to him as soon as we could. He failed to mention it wouldn’t be us who would be sending the message and when Griffin wasn’t satisfied, Lincoln simply said, ‘Everything will be as it must be. You’ll understand in time. Bye, Griff.’ And hung up.

    We stoodopposite one another in the basement. Both in dark jeans and T-shirts, Lincoln’s short-sleeved, mine long. Dark colours had been a conscious decision. I was going to bleed tonight and I had no intention of making it any harder for those who would be forced to watch and saw no point in giving Lilith more of a show than necessary.
    In the bedroom closet I found a black leather vest, which must have been Evelyn’s. I put it on and zipped it up. It was snug but it was nice to have something of hers. I’d never had a hand-me-down before and besides … it was kick-ass. Lincoln also hoped the leather might offer some resistance to the arrows.
    It struck me, watching him arrange things, that I never believed he would accept this. And yet he had. I thought he’d try and drag me into hiding, kicking and screaming. My brow furrowed.
    Trying to pull my thoughts into line, I mumbled, ‘There has to be a way …’
    Lincoln was looking over the weapons, deciding what we should attempt to hide on ourselves. There was little point. We knew that any weapons we had would be taken but that didn’t mean we wouldn’t try.
    ‘A way to what?’
    ‘To get the Scripture. If we’re going to do this, just … die like this, we need to at least get the Scripture