Violet Eden Chapters 04 - Endless

Jonathan and I followed her all around the world, but eventually she came to America and took a shine to that area.’ She raised her eyebrows. ‘Old money and lots of it. She took pleasure in annihilating families and destroying their lineage by first dirtying their reputations. She would pick the best of the estates along the Hudson, putting entire towns under strong illusions to ensure that family disappearances were never investigated. She drove many of them to their own gruesome suicides. It was horrible. But Lilith took so much pleasure in their destruction that instead of fleeing she stole their fortunes and their houses, keeping them as trophies. Even now there would be many that are well hidden that she would still believe to be her rightful spoils.’
    ‘Griffin saysthe Academy is preparing to launch an attack when they find a location. This information will help them narrow it down,’ I said.
    ‘She’ll be ready for them and expecting it.’ Evelyn sighed. ‘The toll will be high, but I don’t know that it can be avoided.’
    I caught her gaze drop to my markings. ‘What is it?’ I asked. Her eyes often went to my wrists when I thought she was about to say something.
    She reached out and touched them. ‘Just a theory. Not one to speak aloud.’
    Because we were being watched.
    ‘Violet, if anything happens I need you to promise me one thing,’ she said, staring at me like she wanted to say a thousand things. ‘Do what Griffin says.’
    ‘Why?’
    She smiled softly and changed the subject. ‘You’re angel maker is one of the most powerful angels to have ever been created,’ she said, carefully avoiding naming his rank. ‘Angels are creatures of pride, even the best of them. He knew when he created you that this day might come. He would not have left you without a fail-safe. Remember that.’
    I tried to find the meaning in her words. ‘Is this about Lincoln and me?’
    ‘Possibly. I don’t know.The very fact he selected your soulmate to be your partner … There is always a reason. But it is their reason and don’t ever forget it. Free will is yours until you choose to relinquish it. That you are soulmates may be their choice, but whether you make the bond is yours .’
    ‘Doesn’t exactly help,’ I said, more confused than ever.
    ‘I’d be happy to offer my opinion on the matter,’ Dad deadpanned.
    I’m sure you would.
    I settled for a snort.
    ‘I wish I had the answers but it’s complicated,’ Evelyn continued. ‘Your being soulmates could be the very thing that saves you both or …’
    ‘The thing that destroys us,’ I finished.
    ‘Yes. Which is why no one else,’ she glanced at Dad, ‘can tell you which way to go.’
    The guard reappeared and tapped his watch. I nodded and stood up, returning Dad’s embrace.
    I turned back to Evelyn, who was now standing, looking considerably better.
    ‘Would you do things differently? If you could go back and change things?’ I just had to ask.
    She looked at Dad, love in her eyes. ‘I would’ve put more faith in the people around me whose lives were to be affected by my choices.’ She turned back to me. ‘But I don’t regret some of the things you probably wish I did and if I had to do them again, I would likely make the same decisions even though that means having a daughter who hates me.’
    ‘I don’t hate you. And I’m sorry it took me this long to understand. But … you scare me.’ I looked at Dad. ‘For him and for me.’ Whether I was ready to deal with it or not, she was my mum and she was here. ‘Do you … Do you even know what will happen to you once Lilith is returned? Was that part of your agreement?’
    She walked me to the doorway,Dad following silently. ‘No, we never got that far. What drew me here with her may well take me back again when she is returned. We’ll all have to accept that if it happens. James knows that. As for the rest … well, if we survive to see the other side of this – there will be a lot of things that need to be worked out.’
    Yeah. Like the fact that Dad already looks too old for her and is the only one getting any older!
    The guard cleared his throat. It was time to go.
    ‘Bye, Dad,’ I said, and turned to Evelyn. ‘Griffin is still trying to get you out of here.’
    She nodded back, a little sadly. ‘Something tells me I won’t be in here much longer anyway.’ Before I could ask what she meant, she grabbed hold of my arm and pulled me close, whispering in my