Page 28 of Potion of Deception (Potion of Deception #1)

Feeling as if she was running out of air, she quickly started swimming up, pushing all her body as water seemed to thicken, trying to detain her.

Something stroked her ankle, and it didn't bother her until it suddenly pulled her back.

Her eyes went round – some kelp wrapped around her leg.

She tried to take it off but instead, felt a pull again.

Another piece girded her hand. Violette cursed in her head, her heart pounding in her ears.

The strength was leaving her. Everything started to look blurry as she tried to fight water plants, only going deeper underwater.

Something tightly circled around her waist and she was ready to push it away just before realizing it was not a plant but a hand. Dante dragged her as soon as he cut the kelps tied around her.

The air burst into Violette’s lungs as they reached the top, a strong cough seized her throat. Dante pulled her to himself.

“Breathe, Little Witch, breath,” his voice sounded near her ear as she continued gasping for the air.

His hands enfolded around her, as he started to move both of them to the land, letting her wrap her arms around his neck. Reaching the shore Violette fell on her palms, clearing her throat. She was trembling like a wet kitten, her hair stuck to her face and neck.

Dante helped her to get up.

“Are you okay?” His warm breath braced her face, his palm cupped her cheek as he steadied her.

Her eyes wet and wide stared at him as she breathed heavily. She swallowed before slowly nodding.

“Just breathe, okay? I wasn't serious telling you to not drown if possible. ” His thumb caressed along her cheek .

Suddenly Violette broke her gaze and lifted her head up.

It was strangely dark. The sky was not just clouded, it was almost black, no sign of stars and the moon.

The eerie naked trees surrounded the lake as if they grew over the last hour, embedding even more concern in her heart.

She'd thought she was still under the shock, but Dante looked around as well and his facial expressions didn't promise anything good.

The shadows started to occupy the place, the ominous fog spreading through the skeletal trees reached the lake. The sudden frost evoked goosebumps on Violette's arms. She clutched the scroll in her hands.

“We need to go,” Dante stated, and in opposition to his steady voice, his eyes gave away a worry.

“What is happe–” Violette didn't have time to finish as trees rustled and a hysterical howl spread over the forest.

“Run!” Dante ordered and Violette rushed to grab her boots and cloak.

As they tried to make their way out, some rigid tree branch slapped Violette in the stomach, making her eyes squint.

Another one caught on her wet skirt and as she turned to let it free, she realized the branch was actually a claw pulling her closer.

All other trees distorted, beginning to look like the real nightmare monsters with growing limbs and beastly faces, sowing bone-chilling horror.

The branches were chaotically moving in an attempt to grab Violette as something silver flashed before her eyes – a dagger went through the wooden fingers.

Dante grabbed her by the hand. The ground shook.

Something was indeed following them. The shadows behind kept moving in their direction, fog started to take on strange features and shapes which Violette had no desire to see as her legs continued to run through the forest.

As they passed some bushes, her eyes flew in that direction – two eyes flickered at her from the darkness. Suddenly, she realized it was not the first eyes she'd seen in this forest today. Her boots pushed off the ground, her breath unsteady, but she could feel the adrenaline rush to her head.

A dozen black birds flew right between Dante and Violette, followed by Violette's shriek as she was trying to get rid of them. The steps shook the ground again, whatever it was it was coming for them, it was hunting .

They were wriggling through the trees, the branches tried to claw Violette from all the sides, tearing the edges of her skirt and her cloak. A few more feet and they rushed past the sign:

“Why did you stop?” Violette exhaled, almost swallowing her words.

“They can't leave the forest. We're safe,” Dante cleared his throat.

She shot her gaze back to the woods – two big red eyes, peering at them and then slowly faded in the blackness. The chill went down her spine. They made it out .

“Are you alright?” Dante asked, looking at Violette with a less gentle sight as the moment she nearly drowned.

Trying to catch her breath, she leaned over, pressing her palms to her knees.

“I don't remember when I ran that fast. I don't even think I ever did,” she exhaled and then the vampire did an extremely odd thing – extended his hand to her. Violette's eyes widened, her gaze dropped at his hand.

What does it mean? Should she reach out?

She hesitated, gazing at his palm before he interrupted this awkward pause.

“The scroll,” he said.

“Oh, right.” She looked at her hand, grasping the rolled sheet of paper. “Here.”

Stupid, Violette. You are very stupid.

She handed him the parchment. Despite being protected by magic, as it was completely dry, it looked like an ordinary piece of paper with a stamp on it, nothing special.

“Now let's get out of here,” Dante voiced.

Violette nodded, grabbing herself by the arms as she again felt how her body started trembling, being still wet and cold. The freezing air embraced her fully and for a moment she got jealous of Dante’s ability to not feel anything, after all, being a vampire has its pros.

But instead of moving forward, he suddenly stopped and spun to her. With the words “I think it's yours,” he extended her magic wand .

In a cascade of events, Violette completely forgot about it, she might have dropped it in the water. She couldn't be more grateful to him for saving it – the dearest thing to a wizard's heart.

“Oh, thank you,” she whispered, her eyes shone brighter. Taking it back, her fingers brushed his palm, surprisingly warm and soft, not at all what she'd imagined.

Shaking off the strange feeling, Violette finally was able to cast a spell to dry her clothes and hair.

“Much better,” she breathed contentedly, a pleasant shiver running through her body. Then she cast the spell again on Dante as he was already taking a step in the other direction.

He turned his head slightly, glancing at her from the corners of his eyes.

“Thank you.”

“And,” Dante pulled out the dagger from its sheath and offered it to her, “take it as well.”

Violette, astounded, looked at the blade, the jewels on the hilt sparkling in the candlelight of a lonely lantern.

“Why?” She couldn't understand.

“You definitely don't stand a chance with your bare hands.” Somehow his words

managed to sound like an accusation. “Maybe, at least, this will help you to stay alive. At some point.”

Her lashes fluttered as she carefully took the dagger. She remembered he didn't fear she'd use it but she didn't expect him to simply hand it to her as if it wasn't a lethal weapon to him. Has he trusted her that much or just underestimated?