Vampires in America 05 - Duncan by D.B. Reynolds

Author:D.B. Reynolds
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781610260831
Published: 2011-11-30T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

Violet Slayton was as nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs, as Emma’s Grandmama had been known to say. Slayton was pale and too thin, but Emma had the impression these were both recent developments. Her clothes were too big, and her skin had that parched look of someone who wasn’t eating or hydrating properly. But none of that, not the clothes and not her pallor, could conceal the fact that she was beautiful. Her eyes were deep brown and luminous, surrounded by long, black lashes, and her dirty hair was thick and wavy. Violet reminded Emma of the women she’d met while doing an internship at a rape crisis center during law school. The thought of what could have made Violet react that way had Emma’s blood running cold, and she knew she’d done the right thing by coming out here.

“I was sorry to hear about Lacey,” Violet said, settling into the corner of a large, overstuffed couch. She spoke so quietly Emma had to lean closer to hear. It was as if Violet was afraid someone would overhear, even though Emma knew there was no one in the house but the two of them. Slayton hugged herself, wrapping her too big sweater nearly double around her body. “Lacey was a good person. Brave. I felt I had to go to the service, had to pay my respects, even though—”

She stopped abruptly, and her beautiful eyes were filled with fear when they flashed up to stare at Emma.

“Even though what, Violet?” Emma asked gently.

Violet looked away. “I haven’t seen anyone since I left the firm. I left kind of suddenly. I didn’t give them proper notice, and they weren’t happy with me. I didn’t know if I’d see anyone I knew at the funeral.

I didn’t want to see anyone, but . . . Lacey was kind. I couldn’t let them . . .” Her mouth tightened, her lips rolling under until they disappeared entirely.

“You said Lacey was brave,” Emma said quietly. “Why would you say that?”

Violet stared down at her fingers, which played with a leather button on her sweater, rolling it first one way, then the next. “She wasn’t afraid of anyone,” she whispered. “It was as if she didn’t believe the world could hurt her.” Violet looked up suddenly, meeting Emma’s gaze.

“But she was wrong, wasn’t she?”

Emma nodded, letting her own sorrow show. “Lacey was the only family I had,” she said, without knowing why. “There’s a place inside of me, right next to my heart, that hurts all the time since she’s been gone. I don’t think it will ever stop hurting, but I know it won’t until I find out what really happened to Lacey.”

Violet gave her a startled glance. “But I thought—” Realization bloomed in her eyes, and she lost what little color she had. “No,” she whispered, shaking her head.

“You went to the parties with Lacey, didn’t you, Violet?” Emma asked softly.

“I can’t talk about this. I won’t.” Violet shook her head, once again refusing to look at Emma.

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