Chapter 102 - Simon

I watched as Violet climbed into bed and was out before she was fully into the bed. She had been pushing herself these last few weeks. When this ball is over, I want to take a little vacation with her. Not too far, and not too long. Just away to relax and not have anything to worry about. I was even thinking about pimping out her little cabin across the lake and making it super romantic. I know she wouldn’t want to be too far away, with all that is happening with her coven. But she deserves a break.

If I had it my way, I would have just cancelled the Yule festivities this year and had one of the other packs do it. But my ego was too big to do that. I didn’t want to admit that I needed a Luna to throw a party. But I didn’t anticipate Violet. She came out of left field. And me being an ass, thrusted this huge responsibility on her. And she took it, gracefully even.

I pulled off my clothes and climbed into bed next to Violet. She normally would wake up with any movement, but not today. I kissed her forehead and pulled her into my chest. She let out a small sigh. I could die happy, right now. My Luna was here, and she was my world. I let my thoughts drift and I fell asleep with her, next to me.

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A knock came to the door. It was barely dawn and Violet was still snuggled up against me. I lightly pulled my arm from around Violet and walked to the door and opened it. Jared was standing there in his night pants leaning against the doorframe.

I looked behind me to make sure that Violet was still asleep and slipped out into the hall. “What’s wrong?”

“Something weird happened.” His face serious, not giving away anything.

“What do you mean, weird?” I kept my voice low and crossed my arms over my chest.

“About thirty minutes ago, there were a few witches lurking around the perimeter that Violet set, but then all of a sudden. All at once, they stopped, didn’t move for a good five minutes, and then simultaneously walked away. Almost as if it was synchronized.”

“Hmmm, who told you this?”

“Bruce.”

“How many witches are we talking about?”

“At least a dozen. Bruce said, they all turned at the same time and walked at the same pace away from the line of protection. But not in groups, separately.”

“And we haven’t seen them back?”

“No.” Jared shook his head.

“Let’s get some more guards around, if anything else happens let me know.” I turned but stopped. “Let them know that I will make it worth their while since some of them will not make it to the Ball. See if there are any volunteers who are willing to guard during the party. Come up with a number to offer them.”

“Of course, Alpha.” Jared said and turned to go back to his room.

“And Jared?”

“Yeah.”

“Thank you.”

He nodded his head. “That’s what I’m here for.”

I walked into the room, where Violet was sitting up on the bed.

“What’s wrong?” She looked at me, concerned.

I pulled a hand over my face. I didn’t want to worry her, but I promised I wouldn’t keep things from her. I took a deep breath.

“Oh my god. What’s happening?” She leapt up on the bed and was kneeling at the edge of it, staring at me.

“Calm down. Nothing too serious. Just strange.”

“Simon, just tell me.”

“I will, but you have to take a breath. You’re looking green.” I came and sat next to her and rubbed her back. She took a breath. “Bruce said that he saw some witches at the perimeter and then all of a sudden, they stopped. Turned. And walked away, but not in a group. Almost as if it was synchronized.”

She tilted her head and focused on the wall behind me. “That’s weird. Unless they were called away.”

“Witches can do that?”

“It depends.” She thought for a moment. “It’s with Blood Magic, and highly dangerous. I wouldn’t put it past Eli to pull something like this.” I felt her shiver. “This isn’t good, Simon.”

She shifted her gaze back to me; I could see the tears welling up.

“Hey, hey, hey.” I pulled her to me. “It’s ok. I already requested more guards to patrol the perimeter. They are going to come to me directly if anything is off.”

She sniffled and pulled away. “You don’t understand.” She wiped her hand across her cheek. “Blood Magic is the worst you can practice. It means you have sold your soul to gain some sort of power.”

“Like to the Devil.”

Violet nodded.

“If that’s what I’m up against, I wouldn’t even know where to begin. Even I can’t stop Eli.” She took a few short breaths, panic settling in. “He didn’t practice Blood Magic when I was there. This is new, Simon.”

I could see fear building in her eyes, she let the tears fall. I didn’t know what to say. “We’ll figure it out, Violet.”

“I don’t know how.” She took a few more short breaths. “The pack is in danger. I can’t stay here. I am the target; I could get the pack killed.”

My heart ached at her words, I almost wanted to cry. “We’re not to that point yet, my love.” I know my face was in all kinds of anguish. “We will figure this out. There is no guarantee that they are using Blood Magic. That’s just the worst thing that can happen. Right?”

She wiped her face again. “Unless I was there, there’s no way to say for sure. But I don’t know anything else that would sync all the witches like that.”

“Okay, so maybe there is a spell or something that you don’t know about?” I offered up.

“Maybe.” She looked at me. “We have to consider me leaving.” She paused. “Only for a little bit.”

I stood. “I’m not letting you go run off on your own, to be killed by this psycho witch.” I took her hands. “We do this together, you’re my mate. Remus is your familiar. We are in this together. Do you hear me?” I shook her hands.

She nodded. Her face dropped and she jumped off of the bed and rushed to the bathroom. I could hear her heaving. I followed after. She was supporting her body against the toilet bowl, throwing up stomach bile since her stomach was empty.

I sat next to her and rubbed her back. She stopped and rested her head against her arm. “It’s just the stress.” she managed to say.

“Why don’t you go back to bed for a bit more?” I continued to rub her back. “I’ll get us breakfast and some coffee, and we can relax before this Ball.”

She lay against her arm for a moment. I wasn’t sure if she fell asleep or was just thinking. “What happens if they are planning an attack for tonight?” She glanced at me.

“Then if they attack, there are going to be against a shit ton of werewolves. Not to mention multiple Alphas and Betas and all the rankings. We will have an army here.”

“And what happens if Eli has been using Blood Magic?”

“We can deal with it.” I didn’t know what else to say. I just knew she was going to keep on coming up with excuses for her to leave. Instead of waiting for her to rise, I picked her up and brought her to bed. “Shut your eyes, and don’t think about any of that. Let me deal with it.”

She looked at me unsure if I was capable of this task.

“Really, Violet, don’t worry. If I need you, I’ll ask. I know where you sleep.” I winked at her.

She rolled her eyes. She didn’t respond, she just leaned against the pillow and closed her eyes. I threw on pants and a shirt and quietly closed the door behind me. There was only one other person that I knew who might have information on Blood Magic.