Read Online Endless by Jessica Shirvington - Free Book Online Page A

over and he slapped me across the face.
    I saw it coming. I knew what he was doing. And it didn’t even occur to me to move out of his way. His palm struck high on my cheek – the sting greater than from any blow I’d ever received.
    Dadgasped, his hand dropping into his other as if to restrain it, his expression filled with shock.
    I stumbled back into the wall, one hand covering my cheek.
    We must’ve been noisy because the apartment door swung open.
    ‘James!’ Evelyn said, looking between us. ‘Oh, God, you heard.’
    I stared at my feet – unable to look at either one of them – and felt tears welling.
    Not now, not now. Don’t cry.
    ‘Violet?’ At the sound of Griffin’s voice I glanced up.
    A slap barely tickles Grigori. Griffin had given me my own fair share of playful punches along the way to toughen me up. But what Dad had done, the emotion and intent that came with it … hit me in so many painful ways. Griffin must have seen it all in my eyes. And, worse, I saw the sympathy in his.
    Suck it up, Vi.
    I stood up straight, blinking back the tears, and cleared my throat. I wouldn’t be weak.
    ‘Griff, can you wait a minute before leaving? I’m coming with you.’

    As I was zipping up my bag, Evelyn let herself into my bedroom.
    ‘Don’t,’ I said putting a hand up to stop whatever she was about to say. ‘Just … don’t.’ I slung my duffle bag over my shoulder and grabbed my other bag, not pausing to look at heragain as I headed to the front door, where Griffin and Dad were talking.
    Dad had recovered and found his voice. ‘I’m going to New York, too,’ he stated.
    Griffin was trying to settle him down. ‘I understand how you feel, but they won’t allow it, James. The Academy do not admit non-Grigori.’
    ‘I don’t care. I’m going with her,’ Dad said adamantly.
    I knew the ‘her’ he was referring to was not me.
    I joined them. ‘It’s fine, Griff. We’ll find a way.’ I glanced at Dad, my expression blank. ‘You’ll be able to go with her, I’ll make sure of it.’ Then I turned back to Griffin with a nod, signalling I was ready to leave.
    ‘Violet, wait!’ Dad said.
    I paused, head down.
    ‘I … I’m so sorry. I lost my mind. I don’t know what’s going on – I just snapped. The idea of her being in … All this time. Please forgive me.’
    But I couldn’t. Because I didn’t know what was going on either but my response hadn’t been to blame him. So I shook my head, ignored my welling eyes, and headed for the lift.



CHAPTER EIGHT
    ‘No man chooses evil because it is evil … he only mistakes it for happiness, the good he seeks.’
    Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
    T hecar trip was silent – Griffin leaving me to my thoughts as I stared out the window, wondering how things had come to this.
    He cleared his throat, bringing me out of my thoughts as we pulled up outside Lincoln’s warehouse. ‘Are you going to be okay?’
    I clutched my bags. ‘Sure. Tell the Academy I won’t go unless Dad is allowed to escort her.’
    ‘They might not agree.’
    I shrugged. ‘Then I won’t go. Tell them those are my terms for full cooperation.’
    He nodded. ‘Okay. I’ll do that.’
    I looked out the window and Griffin began to tap his hand on the steering wheel. It was starting to rain and steam was rising from the road.
    ‘Violet, he didn’t mean it.’
    I wasn’t so sure. Dad had been tested in so many ways and his loyalty to Evelyn had shone through above all else. I swallowed. ‘Has she really been in Hell?’
    ‘Yes,’he said, with the kind of certainty only Griffin, a seeker of truth, could deliver.
    ‘Why did she do it?’
    ‘She’s a warrior. She knew what was at stake. I think she thought doing things this way would give you the best chance.’ He gestured a hand towards Lincoln’s front door, which was already open. Lincoln had obviously sensed my arrival. ‘Is this the best place for you?’
    Yes. No. Maybe.
    Lost for an answer, I opened the car