Page 28 of Second Chance By Fate

Grimacing, Marianne stands back, folding her arms over her chest as she studies the shield around Violet.

“That shroud of protection won’t last forever,” she hisses. “And I’ve got all day, since your Alphas are too cowardly to show themselves. Once it falls, I will enact that curse we promised you, and you’ll feel the brunt of betraying your kind.”

The door to the bedroom opens, and three more servants appear with grins on their collective faces, the driver among them. My stomach drops as Enzo’s voice fills my head.

Oh, gods. There’s more of them.

Violet is less bothered by their numbers, even though she appears to recognize one of the maids who just entered.

“I did warn you,” the newcomer servant sings. “You just couldn’t stay away, could you?”

“Is that all you’ve got?” Violet shoots out casually. “Four of you?”

“Dark magic doesn’t need numbers,” Marianne snaps, her façade fading under Violet’s mocking.

I thought she wasn’t going to antagonize them,I grumble to Enzo, but he doesn’t look at me. He’s just as worried as I am, I can smell it all over him.

“I’m giving you one more chance here,” the leader of the dark witches tells Violet, circling her like a vulture.

“Oh, yeah?”

“We’re taking Dusty Woods,” Marianne informs Violet, her ebony eyes shimmering with malice. “And you can join us or die—after enjoying a long, hurtful curse.”

Chapter 9

Enzo

Like my brother, I want to charge through the balcony doors and take on the small coven of dark witches, but I can’t, not until I fully understand what we’re up against… and why.

Violet hangs her head from behind her protective shield, her eyes darting around the room as if seeking a weapon, but she’s on her own.

“I don’t understand any of this,” she complains. “You’ve had years to do this. Why now?”

“You’re forcing our hand, Violet. If you’d been a good girl and stayed away, no one would be the wiser, would they?” Marianne grumbles. “Your idiot Alphas would still think you’re the one responsible for their problems, and they wouldn’t be looking for other alternatives. Now, you’ve given us no choice but to react and take over, even before we’re ready. If not for your nosing around?—”

“I’ll leave again!” Violet protests, and my heart sinks at the prospect.

She’s only telling them what they want to hear,I remind Steele.

“It’s too late. And it’s time. You’re right. It has been years. We’re owed this territory. Their fathers were cruel, disgusting beasts. They treated the witches and warlocks like animals?—”

“These Alphas aren’t like that!” Violet interjects. “They work with us, with you!”

Marianne laughs hollowly. “Right. Like when they exiled you without letting you plead your case? No. They’re just like their fathers, and they deserve every bit of pain they have coming.”

“Then why wait?” Violet yells, her frustration overtaking her desire to stay calm. She sucks in air. “I don’t understand why you waited so long to act if you really believed this.”

Marianne giggles. “It was fun watching them chase their own tails, blame others, and lose respect among their packs and other Apexes. Their humiliation is just as good as taking their land, don’t you think?”

She turns to her little coven, and they nod in agreement.

Violet’s lovely eyes well with tears, but she doesn’t allow them to fall. “You don’t know them. They’re noble and kind. They will do anything to protect those they care about. Maybe their fathers were like that, but these guys?—”

“They only care about finding their fated mate. You really think they care about you, Violet? If their mate showed up today, they’d kick you right back out again.” She stares intently at Violet, a small smirk toying on her lips. “You know I’m right, too, don’t you?”

Violet looks down, and my heart cracks as I realize she believes it.

“Stay with us. We won’t send you away. We don’t need you to be mated to us to care about you. We wouldn’t exile you without any proof of wrongdoing,” the dark witch tries to convince her.

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