Violet Eden Chapters 04 - Endless

breakfast bar, remembering all the times I’d sat there eating food Lincoln had prepared for me, while listening to his advice and hanging off everyword. I closed my eyes and imagined the smell of basil – how much he loved to cook with it.
    I stopped by my wall, still covered by the drop-sheet. I left it where it was. The image beneath now seemed so naive.
    I found a notepad and pen and wrote a few words, leaving the folded piece of paper on the dining table.
    I could hear everyone moving about, the occasional cheer. He was awake and I could sense that he was looking for me.
    Before I could stop myself I made my way to the front door. I had it halfway open when Steph ran down the hall.
    ‘Hey, Vi. Lincoln’s asking for–’ She broke off when she saw me. ‘You’re … leaving?’
    I couldn’t talk. I just looked at her, trying to explain somehow without words that I couldn’t possibly stay knowing everything I now did, having gone through everything I had gone through.
    People had made sacrifices and died. For me. Because of me. I couldn’t stay and watch those I cared about most continue to make choices that put me first. I had made promises to my angel maker and I knew he’d hold me to them. But the only way I could do that would be alone, where the danger and consequences of my choices would be my own.
    And the simple truth was, I couldn’t face him. Lincoln was back and now he had a chance to live. I wanted that for him – I certainly didn’t bring him back just so he could die defending me. The only chance for his survival would be to be apart from me, and the only chance for mine would be to finally – completely – embrace the Grigori I am.
    Steph stood frozen, staring back at me until her shoulders dropped and the tears started to fall down her cheeks. ‘But you can’t,’ she whispered.
    I cleared mythroat. ‘I left a note. Will you give it to him?’
    She nodded as she cried and sniffed. ‘Will you call me? Please, Vi, promise me you will call me.’
    ‘He can never know where I am.’ Because despite what I had decided, Lincoln would come for me if he knew where I was. He wouldn’t accept this. We were partners. As far as he was concerned, like it or not, that meant we were together.
    Steph shook her head. ‘I wouldn’t tell if that’s what you wanted. Just promise you will stay in touch. Please, Vi. You’re my best friend.’
    I looked down. I should have said no to her. But I found myself nodding. ‘When I get settled, I’ll call you with my new number.’ I gripped the door. ‘I have to go.’
    Before I could get away, Steph was hugging me tight. For just a moment, I let myself hug her back.
    ‘Love you, Vi.’
    ‘Love you, Steph.’
    And then I left.

    Dad and Evelyn had arranged everything while I had been watching over Lincoln. They had made their decision, too – whatever that meant – and were happy to leave the city, something I had resolved to do a while back. I was relieved now to be going with them.
    They had packed everything up and put it into storage for now, until we made our final decision about where to settle. It turned out Evelyn had more than one safe-house and we were going to start byvisiting them. I used my key for the last time and walked into the apartment.
    Dad came out of his room, smiling. I was a little surprised to see him looking just the same.
    ‘I thought you guys decided to …’ I started, but then Evelyn walked out of the bedroom behind him and I realised … they had.
    ‘Wow,’ I said, transfixed by my mother, who, for the first time, actually looked like my mother and mature enough to be Dad’s wife. ‘You’re beautiful,’ I said, and truly meant it. She was even more stunning than she had been, just older.
    She beamed. ‘I know it isn’t what you expected, but I’ve wanted to grow up for a long time and although your dad and I won’t get back the years we lost, this way … The years ahead will be all ours,’ she said, cosying up to Dad. I’d never seen Dad look so content.
    I smiled. ‘It’s perfect.’
    ‘Are you sure you want to do this, sweetheart?’ Dad asked.
    ‘I’m sure,’ I said, heading to my room to find it stripped bare, a lone suitcase sitting in the middle of the floor. I grabbed it and headed back out. I knew that Lincoln wouldn’t be up and about for another couple of days, but I didn’t want to wait around to find out. Dad and Evelyn were by the door when I re-emerged, waiting for