Personal

This might have been the most peaceful afternoon of her life. Violet was reading in one of the library's more secluded study rooms. She had been released a couple of hours ago by Kuznet who had been too busy yelling at the rest of foxglove for their unbridled stupidity. She had the rest of the day and the whole next to do as she pleased.

The members of foxglove had not taken her reveal kindly, Ivan most of all was beyond infuriated. The rest of the team had felt betrayed, Usami, an otherwise always quiet boy had cried out, "But... healers are to always be kind and trustworthy."

Violet had just stared at him dumbfounded.

Zen, who Violet believed, actually thought Kieren was the culprit had remained unconvinced of Violet's culpability. That disbelief had left him speechless when she led them to her room, and pulled back the tile to let James out. James had emerged eating a blueberry muffin Violet had baked for him the day before, a huge smile on his face. "Dudes, living down here was the best vacation, for the love of all things sweet and buttery, Violet you can cook! I think I gained like three pounds. Can I just stay down here?"

James had been wholeheartedly too preoccupied with a second muffin to notice the icy glare Kieren was directing at him.

Violet and James had led the group back to the classroom, she had briefly explained her plan while James chimed in his support, a bag of muffins clutched safely in his arms. James had also been left free, although he had headed for his dorm.

Violet had several plans for her free days, there was a group of members in Russia that would be demanding her full attention in a few hours time.

"You vile whore, I cannot believe that you fooled everybody into letting you stay. Who are you threatening? I have a warning for you..." Violet looked up from her book, she was not surprised to see Ivan glowering at her. "Leave this place, you're nothing but the dregs of society. If you leave quickly and quietly I won't have to hurt you." Violet turned the page without looking up, "Woof."

Ivan lashed out attempting to throw the book out of her arms. She dodged easily, he shoved the table out of the way and advanced, "I warned you bitch, maybe you'll respond better to a good beating." He reached for Violet's hair when a hand gripped his forearm, Ivan withdrew his hand as if he had been shocked. He had been. "Try that again, I'll kill you." Kieren walked Ivan into a corner, his posture and expression calm. "What she does is none of your concern..." electricity sparkled into the air, that deadly aura re-emerging , clashing with Kieren's carefree posture. "She could easily take care of you, but I won't give her a chance. Now Get lost."

Ivan did not need to be told twice, he raced out of the room nursing his forearm.

Kieren closed the door, fixed the table, and took a seat in front of Violet.

He had his backpack with him, Violet put her book down, and looked toward the show stopping eyes. "Advanced Russian, how many languages do you speak Violet?"

"A fair few, I get bored easily, shouldn't you be in punishment class?"

"Yeah," he shrugged unconcerned, "we have an hour to catch a fire lizard without killing it and return it to Kuznet." Violet nodded, "that's too easy for you, some might die."

"The more the better, those were your words." He replied with an easy smile, "anyway, I wanted to talk to you without prying eyes, or more appropriately without prying ears." Violet smiled, "When did you figure out I had James?"

"Day three, it was simple, nobody but you would be intelligent enough to execute his murder so eloquently. You like to sit back, it's part of your charm, I would know, but your eyes don't miss a single thing. Not to mention, you plan things like the universe will always take your side. And it does."

"I'm flattered," Violet turned her head to the side, grey boring into vibrant blue, "so you didn't turn me in for a favor or to hold it over my head?"

"None of the above, actually, it would be a huge disadvantage for me if you left. I was prepared to help if need be. You can imagine my thrill at realizing you did not need my help. The bird was ingenious."

Violet laughed, "Alex went to talk to you after she talked to me?"

She did, "why she's fealing guilty, I have no idea, I'm an asshole unto myself, always have been."

"You forgot to add sadist, "Violet supplied chuckling a little.

"I love it when you laugh Violet, so I'll get to the point." Violet sighed, "Kieren I..."

"I have no intentions of backing down, I will never force you, but you can't lie to my face. I'll keep making you laugh until you're willing to admit..."

"What if I never do?"

A finger grazed her cheek, his eyes lit up softly, glowing candidly, "I have plenty of time Violet. Moving on, I noticed you had the first book," he pulled a hardcover book from his backpack. "It's common that the first book is usually the best and any that follow lack, this has been my favorite exception, the second one is better."

Violet took the book in both hands unwilling to hide her surprise and excitement. "How? Geintrey only made four copies of his second book. How did you get?"

He smiled pleased, "I remember when I read 'The day I was Alive' for the first time, I was infuriated. Comprehension refused to appear before me, life in my eyes has always been too fickle for a concept so rash as worth it all for just one day. When I heard there was a second book, I did what only someone so self entitled, rich, and egoistic as I could possibly do. I met him and had him create a fifth copy."

Violet laughed, really laughed, "oh so you are aware?"

Kieren leaned forward eyes bending into crescents with mirth.

"Very, it's part of my charm."

He shot a coy smirk at Violet, "'The day I died' I think it's one of the few times I've been shocked by a dead piece of wood. Once you finish it, let me know what you think. I still haven't decided if Geintrey is a genius or a moron."

He rose from his chair, tucked a strand of hair behind Violet's ear, smiled, and left. "Well, I suppose I should go catch a lizard, I'll see you later Violet."

Violet looked at the book in her arms, she hugged it to her.

"I hate Geintrey too."