Violet Eden Chapters 04 - Endless

his eyes. ‘It’s so strange. I look at her, hear her speak – her mannerisms are the same but she’s different as well.’
    He ran his trembling hands through his hair and again, I wished I was better at connecting with him.
    ‘I hear her in the night, tossing and turning – whatever haunts her dreams … It’s awful, Vi.’
    I find that hard to believe.
    Then again, maybe it was waking up to discover she was back with us that led to the screaming. It didn’t inspire much sympathy.
    ‘Dad, I know it’s hard, but she’s a liar. She traded our futures, our happiness, for her place in Heaven. I don’t know why she’s back or for how long, but I think you need to be prepared for the possibility that if she has the opportunity to help herself, she’ll ditch us without another thought.’
    Dad stayed silent. But I’d been there for the last seventeen years, I’d seen what losing her did to him. I just couldn’t let him go through it again.
    Or me.
    No. The best thing I could do for Dad was prepare him for her departure.
    ‘Dad,please, look at the facts. She’s using you.’
    I closed my eyes briefly, sensing his hurt, but I needed to look after him. He was my father.
    ‘Have you even spoken to Caroline since Evelyn came back?’ I asked, reminding him of the good things that had started to happen in his life recently with his PA. Finally, Dad had been acting like he was ready for a relationship.
    He shook his head. ‘I … I told her I couldn’t keep seeing her. It just didn’t feel right and I had no other explanation.’
    Poor Caroline.
    I hadn’t been thrilled about her interfering in Dad’s and my relationship, but she was a good person and I knew she genuinely cared for Dad.
    ‘What did she say?’
    His hands combed his hair again. ‘She resigned. Said it was for the best.’
    ‘Oh, Dad.’
    It made me so cross. Dad was turning his world upside down for Evelyn and I knew it could only end badly.
    ‘Just promise me you’ll keep your guard up,’ I urged.
    And, as if accepting the cruel truth, he nodded. ‘I … I can’t go through this again. You’re right, Vi.’
    I breathed out a sigh of relief.
    ‘I’ll keep my distance, but what happens now? I can’t just let you go off to face this Academy on your own.’
    ‘She won’t be alone, Mr Eden,’ Lincoln said.
    Dad sent a dubious look in his direction. ‘If any harm comes to her–’
    ‘I’ll look after her,’ Lincoln jumped in. ‘I’d never let any harm come to her.’
    Irolled my eyes. ‘When you two are finished …’ I pointed out the window. ‘We’re home.’
    Lincoln didn’t get out so before I closed the door I looked back at him as Dad crossed the road. ‘Thanks for the outrageously fun night.’
    He winked. ‘I aim to please.’
    ‘Then we’re going to have to reassess your pleasure standards.’ At the smile on his face and raised eyebrow, my cheeks pinked. ‘Ah … I mean …’
    ‘Goodnight, Vi.’
    I bit my lip. ‘’Night, Linc.’

    Dad and I rode the lift together and walked hand in hand to our apartment. For the first time since Evelyn had reappeared I felt as though we were back on the right track.
    The front door was ajar. I could sense the others inside already – that faint buzz of Grigori. Clearly Griffin and Evelyn had arrived before us.
    Dad paused outside the door and pulled me into a hug. ‘I love you, Vi.’
    ‘You too, Dad.’
    But as we stepped apart and I moved to push the door open, we heard Griffin’s voice from inside. There are times when you just freeze – times when you somehow know that whatever it is you’re seeing or hearing is important.
    ‘To be pulled back to earth in a ceremony like that – I’ve thought of it from every angle and I can only come up with one explanation.’
    Therewas a long silence before Evelyn spoke. ‘Don’t do this, Griffin.’
    ‘You made terms, didn’t you? When Violet was born?’
    I knew that tone. Griffin was on a mission.
    I looked at Dad. He was listening intently.
    Why is my heart pounding?
    There was another delay before Evelyn responded. We both heard her heavy sigh.
    ‘It was the only way I could protect them. Lilith is eternal. She will always find a way to return. I always knew that Violet may have to face her. I was the one who sent Lilith to Hell and she is vengeful. She’ll come for Violet.’
    ‘Is that why you wanted Violet to be Grigori? So she had a chance at defending herself?’
    ‘No,’ she responded sharply.