Page 14 of Potion of Deception (Potion of Deception #1)

A MONSTER BEHIND THE MASK

T he faint glow of street lamps entered the room through translucent curtains. A line of warm light divided the floor, falling directly onto the illustrated pages of the book Violette was sitting over.

Сrunch.

The sweet scent of apple burst into the air as her eyes continued to run over the words.

The apple in her hand was oddly shaped like a heart, a soft pink hue, the inside of which looked more like sprinkles made from stardust than the inside of an ordinary apple.

It also didn't taste like what she was used to – incredibly sweet with the first bite and sour when you chewed it.

Violette's fingers turned the page of the book she bought at the store that afternoon.

It has been narrating about the magical and legendary places of these lands.

Her eyes studied the lively illustration of the next chapter – a dragon-shaped stone arch in the far south.

It's been said that it was a sacred place for dragons until they disappeared, taking refuge in the north forever, more than five hundred years ago.

Crunch.

The small hand of the clock pointed to one o'clock in the morning. Violette didn't notice that she'd been sitting over the book since dinner. Her eyes rose to the bed and she moved the book onto the blanket.

Her hands reached out to the curtains to draw them and retreat into the world of dreams as her attention was quickly caught by a figure in a dark cloak outside.

She patted her lashes and leaned closer.

Only two floors away, but she could swear it was Dante.

The young man looked back only for a few seconds but she couldn't confuse his mask with any other scarf, as well as his inky hair.

What was he up to?

Violette wasn't going to just leave this question unanswered.

Grabbing her cape, she sprang out into the corridor.

Her boots knocked on the stairs so loud it could wake up other guests but her thoughts were occupied by other things.

She had to be quick. Whatever Dante was trying to do – she had to know it.

His cryptic personality and Machiavellian mind were bothering her more than anything and her dreams will not give her answers she was so eager for.

The street was empty and dark, only street lanterns lit up the road. A fresh rainy scent saturated the air, clean and cool, sending a shiver over Violette’s shoulders. An absolute hush hovered over the town drowned in sleep.

Splash!

Violette looked down, her leg sunk in a puddle.

Every street was covered in wet spots. It will not work this way.

She quickly grabbed her magic wand and cast a spell to mute her steps.

Now she could start her shadowing. Fortunately for her, Dante hadn't gone far.

He was just around thirty feet away down the lane.

She had to hurry if she didn't want to lose him. A few steps and she hid behind one of the buildings. His late walk aroused suspicion. Where was he going? Why at night? What else was he up to and didn't tell her?

She tried to be as unnoticed as possible, careful not to get too close.

Luckily, Dante didn't look back, continuing forward with a slow, unhurried pace, as though he had nowhere in particular to be.

She again didn't hear any steps from him like he was flying, however his feet remained on the ground. The pure lull.

And she followed him for ten minutes more until he stopped in the middle of the street, near a tall lantern. His head raised to the stars, eyes closed. A deep breath left his lungs just before his mouth let out the words into the cold night air.

“And how much longer are you going to follow me?”

Violette's heart numbed before it started throbbing faster, a stone dropped down her stomach. She couldn't see him but she definitely sensed he was looking in her direction, knowing exactly where she was. She squeezed her eyes shut. There was no reason to hide anymore.

A deep breath filled her chest and she made a step from the shadow, her pulse quickened. And why did she even think she could follow him unnoticed? Dante was moving smoothly as a shadow of the lantern, he was noticing lots of details at once, while she knew how to make noise, for sure.

“You knew I was here?” she burst out.

“You are not really good at spying, but I respect the effort.” A half smile touched his face as the corners of his eyes slightly rose.

“I wasn't spying. I mean, I just tried to find out more about what you are up to.” She rolled her eyes to the side, gripping her hood tightly.

“It's the equivalent of spying.”

“Perhaps, but it wouldn't be necessary if you didn't hide so much from me.”

“Your curiosity can get you in trouble one day.” His voice was bracing as frost.

“Is it a threat?” She stalked closer.

“No.” A quiet chortle. “A warning. You can meet someone who doesn't like it when someone sneaks into their business and it'll cause you problems.”

“Then tell me what you are doing here alone,” she insisted, meeting his stare.

An annoying smug smile lit up his face as he tilted his head to the side.

“I can ask you the same question.”

Violette stayed sullen, he just tried to get away with that answer. “My question remains the same.”

“What if I just like walking at night?” he said simply.

She raised her brows as her hands crossed on her chest. “Really?”

“I find this time quite peaceful. I'm not a big admirer of day's bustle. Besides, walking at night helps clear the head.”

“You don't really like people, do you?”

“I prefer to say I value my personal space.” Something magical was in his voice, so low, cold and mystifying as the night itself. Unhuman.

“So you didn't leave the room today? I didn't see you,” she pressed .

“I stayed inside. And now I want a little bit of fresh air.” He turned, deciding to continue his walk.

Violette hesitated, should she just follow him? Either way, she has to. It was hard to believe he was just enjoying the night air.

She caught up with him in a moment, trying to continue their conversation.

“Don't you fear someone would think you are up to no good being outside at such a late hour?”

“Do you?” he drew nonchalantly.

She didn't respond, her brows knitted, she was determined to get the answer despite his evasiveness, and she wasn’t about to joke.

“It's not like I care about what others think,” he uttered, continuing ambling down the street.

“Do you even care about anything else except for yourself?”

“I will be pretty honest, Little Witch, it seems you've been thinking a lot about me. I might start to think you’re fixated on me.”

She shot him a dirty look. “For a person in a mask you think too highly about yourself.”

“It's because I know how I look behind the mask. But why should it matter to you? Think too much about it?” He leaned to her for a second.

“You can wish,” she let out unbothered. “I will upset you with my answer because not everything revolves around you. You think others have nothing to do except think about you? ”

“And yet, it's you who followed me. Indeed, I am on your mind.” He proudly tilted his head.

Violette narrowed her eyes.

“Only because I know nothing about you and you are not really enthusiastic to reveal anything about yourself. It's a natural thing to do when some stranger offers you help and doesn't tell you anything about his plans,” she pointed out.

“You call me a stranger so often that I might start to think you say it only to not forget about it yourself.”

She frowned. “And what should this mean?”

“I'll leave it up to you.” His nose winced as he boldly leaned towards her and glimpsed down at her. “Well, I'm not the only one who enjoys walking late, am I?”

She realized what he meant. The night they first locked their eyes was not in the shop – she saw him the day before. She'd remembered his eyes flickering at her in the darkness of the dead-end alleyway.

“I was just walking home from work,” she murmured.

Dante hummed thoughtfully and then added, “Do you like it?”

“What?” Confusion hardened her features.

“Working in the potion shop?” Dante explained.

Violette didn't hesitate with an answer for this question. Her mouth twisted in an ironic smile. “ Quoting one person, I'll say – why should it matter to you ?”

“Just trying to keep our small talk going as you're already tagging along behind me.”

“Small talk? This is what you called it?” She tried to catch up with him again, not really able to keep up with his pace.

“Isn't it? A conversation that is not giving any important information, not for me, not for you,” he simply stated.

She frowned but a second later she simply voiced, “Then I will not answer if it's not important.”

“Enjoy the silence then.”

Oh no. If he thinks she'll give him such satisfaction he is terribly wrong.

She had all intentions to turn his life upside down if it means she'll get the answers she's so hungry for.

Does he really believe she will just shut her mouth and walk in silence?

Though she didn't have time to say anything as Dante got ahead of her.

“Look, our mutual acquaintance.” He pointed his chin into the distance.

“What?” She was befuddled, peering into the distance. “What acquaintance?”

“The guy from the forest. A thief.”

Her face contorted in confusion, lips parted and brows bonded together. The male figure walking down the street in their direction hadn't evoked any resemblance in her mind.

“How do you know? He was in a mask,” she said, scrutinizing the stranger .

“Call it a talent,” he waved away and then added, “Should we say hi to him?”

“What?” Violette flinched. “No! Are you even in your right mind?”

“Why not?” he retorted with ease, as if they had stumbled upon a mutual friend. “It would be a gesture of good manners.”

He can't be serious. No.

“Oh so, you have decided to be well-mannered for a thief, but not me,” Violette snorted.