At first, Violet thought she saw the ache of betrayal in his eyes, but she couldn't be sure. Her vision was blackening as she dug her hands and nails fiercely into his, trying to rip his hand off her neck—and failing. She felt him increasing the pressure, his grip merciless.
She couldn't cough, gasp, or even make a sound as the world around her began to crumble. His voice cut through the air, dark and chilling, a tone she had never heard from him before.
"Who sent you? The coven? I should have known they would make a move!" His words dripped with bitterness as Violet's nails clawed at his hand, drawing blood, but it did nothing to loosen his hold.
"…To think… to think they almost succeeded!" he barked, his fury palpable. Violet's head swam as the pressure increased, the blood flow to her brain nearly ceasing.
