"You do not need to feel guilty for what you are feeling, Highlander."

Patrick glanced at his friend, then away again to where Violet and Angelica were giving a concert for a dozen of Angelica's human guests. After leaving the cottage the two days ago, Violet had gone with Angelica to stay with the Princess while Ismail and Patrick discussed what had to be done.

They were going to allow Violet to go ahead with her plan and this soiree at the Princess's house was to serve as a signal to the True Vampires, that Violet was once again accepted in their midst.

He didn't like it. Any of it.

Ignoring Ismail's earlier comment, Patrick asked, "You are certain that no one else saw what happened at the ball?"

Ismail raised a brow at his blatant change of topic, but answered his question, "Yes. The only ones who are aware of the incident are the four guards at the cottage, Daniel, Mikhail, the Princess and us. "

After reading the minds of the four guards to be sure they had nothing to do with Daniel's group, Patrick had sworn the men into secrecy and as loyal subjects to the clan they would hold their silence.

"You can relax, Highlander. After the conversation you had with Daniel yesterday night at the club, I am certain he believes we have accepted Violet back into our fold," Ismail added. Patrick knew he was right. Daniel believed Violet had convinced him that she thought she was being followed and in danger; that she had accidentally stabbed him while believing she was defending herself. 

Patrick grimaced as he remembered the secret delight he had seen in Daniel's face as he recounted Violet's story and made him swear not to tell anyone else about the incident. The man thought Patrick was an idiot, that much was obvious.

The room rang out with applause, as Angelica and Violet finished the piece. Men carrying trays with flutes of champagne on white gloved hands circled the room, while the musicians spoke softly to each other, then struck up a new tune. Watching the two women smile at each other, it was possible to believe that nothing had happened, that the ball, the cottage, all of it had simply been a nightmare, and Violet, his Violet was in front of him, playing as beautifully as ever.

"Fate brought her here, to you, my friend," Ismail said as he watched the performers, "The reasons are unimportant. There is no shame in loving a good woman."

"Now is not the time Ismail," Patrick growled. He did not want to think about her, he did not want to feel what he felt for her, not now, not ever. Why didn't the Ottoman let it be?

"She loves you, Highlander, neither of you will be at peace until you acknowledge it."

Huzur. His best friend was talking in his mystic way again, and Patrick tried to close his ears and his heart against the words. He watched Violet in her simple purple day dress, her violin in her hand. She was lost in her music and he... he felt himself getting lost in her. He still loved her, and that made him the worst kind of fool.

He had seen her memories that day at the cottage and like Ismail and Angelica, he felt that despite her actions she was a good person. There was not a single one among them who would not have acted in the same way. They all understood her, and though they had not told her so, Patrick knew that they would not try her. She was no slayer. She was a woman who had suffered the worst kind of horrors and had survived despite them all.

If anything, Patrick loved her more now than ever before, but the fact remained that she had used him. It didn't matter that he had justified the reason for her betrayal in his mind; he had been a tool for her.

"She does not love me. She tricked me."

"You are being thickheaded," Ismail sounded angry, as he whispered not to be overheard. "Is that what is eating at you? Is your pride hurt because you did not know all there was to know? Are you going to let that blind you to what your heart knows?"

The accusation found its mark and Patrick cringed inwardly. His pride had been injured, yes, because this woman had blinded him. He who thought of himself as an intellectual had not been able to see past the beautiful face, the humble soul...the sensitive woman that had kissed his hand as they fell asleep together at night.

Had those kisses been calculated? He couldn't be sure. How could he be sure?

"We both read her mind, Turk. What did you see that I did not?"

Ismail put his hand on Patrick's shoulder, his eyes compassionate as the music came to an end.

"My eyes saw a kalb-i muztarib, a tortured soul. My heart recognised  a kindred spirit."

Patrick did not ask his friend to explain, but he couldn't understand either. Movement amongst the guests alerted him to the end of the performance. It was getting late, he was tired and there was still one more thing that had to be done.

He stepped forward as Angelica and Violet walked towards him, surrounded by guests.

"A riveting performance as always," he smiled at both women. It was good to see that Angelica seemed relaxed. They had placed extra guards around and inside the house since it became clear that the True Vampires meant her harm. The men and women loyal to the clan had disguised themselves as staff and neighbours so Daniel and his ilk would not notice the extra precautions they were taking. 

"Thank you Patrick, you are too kind," Angelica smiled. Violet was looking in his direction, her expression unreadable. What was she thinking?

He addressed her, "I will have to get going now, but I was hoping I could be of service and escort you home, Lady Violin?"

"That would be lovely," Violet nodded, her mouth curving into an unconvincing smile. "I will just get my cloak."

It took a quarter of an hour to take their leave from all of Angelica's guests, and Patrick found himself irate with the Duke of Neville who was most insistent that he be the one to escort Violet to the Circus. Patrick had wanted to tell his friend that she was not going to the Circus, that she was coming home with him, but he suppressed the urge.

The carriage ride that followed was a short one, during which neither Violet nor he said a word.

What was there to say?