Page 45 of Potion of Deception (Potion of Deception #1)

“I've been thinking about this book since we found it,” he went on. “To be honest, I am glad you looked through it. Perhaps you could notice something I couldn't, you are a part of the magic world after all.” His eyes slid to her. “Did you find something?”

“I think I need to investigate more,” Violette confessed.

“Fine, maybe, finally it can be a useful thing for once.”

She knew what he meant. She noticed how Dante didn't like Heggas and this book, partly because it belonged to the witch who cursed him, though she'd suspected he didn't like the magic this book holds overall.

It's most likely Dante had learned a lot of interesting things that, probably, were unfamiliar even to some wizards like her, over the course of his long life.

How much can you learn in centuries? It seems some things are incomprehensible even over thousands of years if you don't try to understand them.

She gaped at Dante; he was extraneous to compassion and concern for others if they weren't useful for his affairs.

Violette wondered if he'd always been like this?

Just a few hours before, he told her that vampires don't remember what it's like to be human, and therefore they themselves disdain human life.

Does that mean that she shouldn't judge him too harshly?

But she couldn't just accept it, letting him and the other vampires treat her and other people like toys.

Violette pushed her luck forward. “Was this book written by her?”

Dante looked at her from the edges of his eyes. “Yes.”

“How could she be a Hegga and a Queen?” She truly couldn't comprehend this fact as Heggas were known for being outlaws even in the wizard’s world.

Dante’s gaze fell to the ground as a stone under his boot bounced off to the side. “She had Heggas’ blood, but she wasn't a direct heir. You perhaps noticed she wasn't an old crone.” His jaw strained.

“She was beautiful,” Violette affirmed. It really made her ponder about her heritage. “She had a magic wand.”

Dante again looked at her from the side.

“I saw it down in the secret passage. I thought Heggas don't use magic wands.”

“She practices different magic. I am not really familiar with it,” he admitted.

“You seem to know a lot about her. Were you close?”

“I'm observant.”

It was true. She remembers how easily he exposed her worrying about her father when they met in the shop, he indeed had a keen eye to the details. But it wasn't an answer she wanted to hear.

“That guy…Nigel.” Violette’s fingers were tugging the ribbon on her cloak. “He has so mething against you.” She wasn't sure if it was a question or confirmation.

“Everyone has.” Another truth from his mouth.

She averted her gaze. “I noticed this.”

The questions were dancing on the tip of her tongue, however she saw Dante wasn't really in the mood for questions.

But that guy whoever he was and whatever connections he had with Dante was making her exceptionally curious.

If Dante wasn't a pleasant company to have, then Nigel was someone she'd rather eat her own arm than spend more than an hour with, not to mention days.

The only vampire who seemed to be bearable, except Dante, was Caidas.

Others were bloodthirsty and haughty, making her want to dissolve into the air.

After a short pause words left Violette's mouth on their own, “So who exactly is he?”

Dante didn't look at her, but still answered her question.

“Insolent idiot. A disdainful bastard. Mistake of nature. Call it the way you want,” his voice dripping with contempt.

“Wow, you indeed can't stand him.”

“He's one of the most loyal dogs of Caidas,” Dante spat. “His appearance doesn't bode well.”

“What problems do you have with other vampires? I can't figure it out no matter how long I think about it,” Violette finally dared to ask.

“I am just being myself,” he voiced .

“Well, that's definitely a good reason, to be honest,” she poked.

He eyed her with a satisfied smile.

She didn't give up, she needed to solve this mystery. “But being honest, what have you done to them?”

The smile suddenly washed from his face and any hint of humanity as well. He looked away as he breathed the cold. “Watch your steps, Little Witch.”

“What?” As soon as the question left her mouth, she tripped over the crooked tree roots sticking out of the ground.

“You could have said it earlier,” she huffed.

“And you could watch where you're going. I'm saying this not only about your legs,” the bloodlessly scattered through his voice, giving the impression of a parent annoyed by the curiosity of a child.

Violette rolled her eyes. “You know, I'm more and more convinced that your life is actually very boring so you try to make it look much more interesting with all these mysterious and scary tones.

Like you want others to be scared of you and think you're such a danger but actually the only scary thing you do in your life is sleeping with your leg extended under the blanket. I imagine what you did to the vampires is similar to eating a cake meant for everyone all by yourself. ”

“Yes, vampires are very sensitive about their cakes.” His face remained stoic.

“No, I'm pretty serious. You're always detaching yourself and running away from the conversation as if it can scare me away.

I'm already stuck with you, Dante,” she grumbled at last. Partly she wanted to play on his pride, but she said the truth as well – she was indeed stuck with him, doesn't matter what he'd confess – she can't escape.

“Well.” Dante turned around, looking straight at her face. His eyes dilated to the full black. He made a step and suddenly for herself Violette staggered back. “Do you really think I do it because I want to seem too interesting for you or any other?”

“I wouldn't say you are looking for approval,” she faltered, taking one more step back, as he seemed to be shrinking the space between them. “I mean, you don't look like a person who wants to meet people at all…”

“The first time you are right about me. I don't care what other people think or what you are thinking about me. But I made it clear that I need your help so think about my mysterious answers,” he drew a step closer and Violette's back hit the tree, “as a nice gesture of mine to not hurt your sensitive and pathetic human feelings.”

His eyes struck with iciness, causing the hair on her neck to stand on end.

“I know that you're scared, Little Witch.

You're trying to pretend you're not but I can hear your heart pounding so fast like it is preparing for the race.

Especially right now. Maybe I can't read your mind but I can see you terrified of this situation with vampires and where it would lead you. You can lie to anyone, but not to me because I see through you.”

She held her breath as he continued with his voice low and steady.

“This mask is on me for a reason and believe me you won't like the story behind it. Stop asking your questions and just do what I say to you.”

His face drifted away from her as he turned around and walked away.

An exhale finally slid past her lips. Then by impulsive thought, she scooped snow and threw it right at his head.

He faced her in a span of a second. “Are you again?!”

“It's a warning to never come close or speak to me in that tone again,” she burst furiously. Was she afraid? Yes. Has she thought about it? Absolutely not.

“If you do it aga–”

Another pile of snow flew at his chest. She met his irritated stare with a glower.

“Did you finish?” he asked calmly.

“Not even close,” she seethed, holding another pressed ball of the snow in her hand, her skin burned.

“Maybe I'm scared but it doesn't mean I can't stand up for myself.

Want to be scary and frightening? Fine, you can keep pushing everyone away but I won't tolerate such behavior towards myself.

Otherwise, you'll have to figure out how to take off your mask on your own, understood?”

“Don't pretend that you don't need me just as much.” He glared.

“I remember it but you're being rude.”

“Is hitting me with a snowball an answer to everything for you?” He drew several solid steps back to her.

“At least, I have an answer when you just give me shallow responses.” Her lips pouted, the hand with the snowball still frozen in the air.

Pulling his brows together, Dante's palm covered hers, slowly dragging it down, his gaze penetrating to the bones. After struggling for a few seconds Violette gave up and dropped the snow, though her eyes didn't stop flashing lightning at him.

“You're giving me a headache,” he grumbled, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “Let's do it this way. You don't ask me about my past and I'll be nice to you. We'll finish our deal and split our roads like we hadn't even met. How about that?”

However she pretended to hesitate for a minute, she'd agree to these conditions.

“I accept your offer,” she affirmed, although the tingling curiosity still pulsated in her mind.