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farther, mentally moving myself toward the door. Turning my head to the left, I found him—the owner of the hands. His back was to me, but I could tell he was tall. Blond. Familiar. He capped a second vial, placing it in the rack, turning slightly so that I could just make out his profile . . .
    “Oh my God!” I cried, my eyes flying open as I was pulled from the vision. “I know who it was.”

4 ~ Jack of Spades
    A s soon as we were all back at Winterhaven on Sunday afternoon, I gathered everyone in Cece’s and my room and told them about the vision—and about my successful replay.
    “It was Jack,” I said.
    “Seriously?” Kate chewed on her lower lip. “I mean, yeah, he turned into a total douchewaffle, but still. Why would he do something like that to Aidan? I thought they were friends.”
    “I have no idea,” I said with a shrug. But it had been his face I’d seen in my vision—Jack’s. I was one hundred percent sure. My visions didn’t lie.
    “Maybe I should start tailing him,” Cece offered. “You know, astrally speaking. See what the boy’s up to.”
    “No way. That’s against the COPA. I don’t want you getting in trouble.” I shuddered, remembering the vision I’d had last fall—the one where Cece had been expelled. It had something to do with me sending her out snooping for clues. There was no way I was going to risk it. Nope, not a chance.
    “So . . . what now?” Sophie asked. “What does Dr. Byrne think?”
    “I haven’t told him. Aidan’s kind of a—a sore subject with him. I’m pretty sure he thinks it’s better this way. That I’m better off without him.” I glanced over at the window, where fat, soft snow fell silently against the glass, and sighed.
    Where was Aidan, and what were they doing to him? I’d asked myself these questions a million times a day, and yet I was no closer to answering them now than I’d been two weeks ago. The moment I’d arrived back at Winterhaven, I’d gone straight to the headmistress’s office, ready to confront Mrs. Girard. Only Mrs. Girard wasn’t there. Just as Matthew had said, she’d taken a temporary leave of absence and Dr. Ackerman was acting headmistress. No one could tell me where Mrs. Girard was or when she was expected back.
    What the hell is going on?
    Anger shot through me, quickening my pulse. Jack had donethis to Aidan. Jack , whom I’d always considered a friend. He’d been on our side, one of our Scooby Gang. I was going to find him and kill him. Okay, maybe not literally, but—
    “Hey! Earth to Violet!” Cece was gesturing toward my desk. “Isn’t that your phone?”
    It was Matthew’s ringtone. Great .
    I let it go to voice mail. I was pretty sure he was over at Charlie’s, which is apparently where he went when he wasn’t here at school. I knew it shouldn’t bug me, that I had no right to care one way or the other. But it did bug me.
    I mean, he took the Megvéd stuff so seriously. And according to the legend, that meant he was supposed to be my “mate” in every way. So what the heck did that make Charlie? Also, what kind of name was “Charlie” for a woman? It sounded silly and immature, like she was trying too hard to be cool or something.
    Jealousy thrummed through me, and I forced myself to shake it off. I was so not going there. Matthew was a teacher—a teacher —and besides, I was in love with Aidan. I was going to find Aidan, even if it meant slaying the entire freaking Vampire Tribunal to get to him. If they doubted I was capable of it, then they were going to be in for a surprise when—
    “God, Violet—snap out of it!” Cece peered up at me with drawn brows.
    “I—I’m sorry,” I stammered. “I’m just . . . really distracted right now. I need to find Jack.”
    Kate rose, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. “I’m going with you.”
    I shook my head. “I think I need to do this alone.”
    Kate’s determined gaze met mine. “No way. He may need a little