Page 56 of Potion of Deception (Potion of Deception #1)

She looked at his palm again, still frozen in the air. One dance, right? What could possibly go wrong? She slowly landed her palm on his and let him lead her into the heart of the evening.

Their fingers interlocked, his hand resting on her waist, hers fell on his strong shoulder. She tried to avoid his gaze, the nerves knotted inside her. Because of him? Because of the people around? She couldn't tell.

“What did I tell you about the eyes?” His voice sounded like a velvet blanket for a moment.

Violette raised her eyes. Perhaps for the first time not trying to disobey him. Her gaze was strained, the storm preparing itself. She tilted her head, showing that she was all in his attention, while Dante looked much calmer and carefree.

His moves were smooth. He was flowing on the floor between all these costumes and sparkly skirts, cutting through the air.

He led her so casually and naturally like he was born in the ballroom, well, it was almost like that.

His feet were flying upon the shiny floor, elegant and airy.

She didn't notice how she was doing the same – he made everything look and feel so effortless, their hands intertwined over and over again as they were dancing, all while the skirt of her dress was flying in the air, repeating the moves of their legs.

“So how are you finding the evening?” He spoke first, his face matched the level of confidence of his moves.

She let herself think for a second and then said, “I think I could live this life, without all of these ridiculous rules of right tone, of course.” Her eyes escaped to the side for a split second.

“But the mansion is beautiful, music is great. To be honest, I just really like my dress,” her confession earned her a soft smile, breaking through his shield.

“The dress is really elegant,” he stated dryly and after a short pause he added with a less restrained tone, “and you look not less gracious in it. You're holding up very well.”

He spun her around before his hands caught her again.

Their legs followed every beat of the beautiful symphony, the sweeping but graceful movements of their hands, and the unbreakable eye contact awakened strange feelings in Violette's chest. Her eyes explored every depth of his.

If her eyes resembled a storm, his was a dark room with a dim sapphire light which rarely sparkled in this blackness.

His brows drawn together in insistence, making Violette's lips separate, wondering what he was thinking about.

The silence between them seemed too loud.

She felt like he was looking through her the same way she was looking through him.

Like he was exploring the very depth of her soul reflected in her eyes, trying to resolve what's going in her mind, as if he was no less curious about her than she was about him.

They appeared near a glass door leading to a little garden, the flowers bloomed behind them bathing in the moonlight.

He delicately turned her around in the dance.

“Now, to the less pleasant part, Little Witch,” he rasped and then his warm breath caressed her ear. “Or should I call you a Little Liar ?”

The shivers slinked under her skin.

“What do you mean?” Her breath hitched, she tensed in his arms as her heart was ready to jump out of her chest.

“I am just wondering when you'll stop this masquerade and stop lying to me?” She didn't say anything as he was already continuing, not really caring about her answer. “We both know about the Vampire Slayer hanging on your pretty thigh.”

Her heart skipped a beat, feeling his fingers groping the dagger over the fabrics of her dress.

Dante’s voice came out unusually low, like he was about to break the wings of a bird trapped in a cage. Her wings.

“So when were you going to kill me? While dancing? Maybe while I’m asleep? Or perhaps, you were planning to stab me while looking straight into my eyes?”

She roughly spun on her heels, facing him. His jaw tightened and eyes dimmed, empty as two black holes.

“It's not what you think. I didn't want to use it,” her voice broke. She felt as if she needed to guard herself even though she didn't believe Dante would hurt her. Maybe, she was a fool to think this way, but she certainly believed he wouldn't kick her out for this.

“Didn't want to as ‘didn't plan to use it’ or ‘wish you'd not use it but would anyway’?” The pinch between his brows yanked.

“Dante…” she started gingerly. Drawing a breath, she looked around to see if anybody was watching. Fortunately, the guests were much busier with dancing and champagne.

Then he roughly took her by the wrist and led to the garden to avoid interested glances .

The ballroom was left behind the glass doorway. It was a perfect place for a little privacy without the risk of being suspected of unnecessary connections. The light from behind was piercing the garden, but, at least, nobody could hear them.

Violette broke off, her heart trembling, “Dante, please, I actually didn't plan to use it. I'm telling the truth.”

“Are you sure about it?” he said darkly.

Now she started to notice the spite he acted out of, the swirling shadows in his gaze.

“You are still in doubt, otherwise you wouldn't bring the dagger with you.

And even so, why didn't you tell me about your little conversation with Caidas then? He gave you it when we were there, right? I started to suspect that something was wrong after.” He rubbed the corner of his jaw.

“Yes, he made me an offer but I didn't agree to it.” She shook her head, her brows tangled together in remorse. “He handed me the dagger anyway, to think but I–I wouldn't…I don't want to use it. I am not a murderer.”

“I know, you're too weak for this.” It didn't feel like a compliment but acid from his mouth, as if it was part of her weakness – not able to kill. It was unfair but she let him speak. “You've already had a chance to kill me, you had a few chances to be correct and you missed all of them.”

“What do you mean?” She backed off.

“When I was training you.”

Her eyes widened, and she blinked rapidly as if trying to process what she had just heard. “Did you already know? ”

“I am not stupid to not sense the real Vampire Slayer,” his voice was sharp and crisp.

“I was wondering if you didn't want to use it or if you just weren't ready and were waiting for a perfect moment to do so.

I was rather interested in what you'll come out with, when and how.

Then I started doubting you'll do it at all. Until today.” His eyes found hers, forcing her to hold a breath.

“I wasn't planning to do it before the ball started but you turned out to be a naughty, sneaky girl, bringing it with you. Maybe, you are not a person who would kill but I have no doubt you can betray me if there will be a chance. I see I should’ve slept with one eye open around you.”

Violette didn't wait long with her response.

“It isn't fair,” she greeted her teeth. Her pulse was pumping, and not because of fear but because it felt like he accused her of something she didn't deserve. He made her look like a traitor but what was he? Right, the unworthy of trust vampire. She felt bitterness tweaking her tongue.

“If I wanted to betray you I would already do it. Without any dagger involved, I would still come up with something.” Her eyes looked up, “Don't blame me for taking the dagger with me. What am I supposed to do? Everyone is telling me you are a monster, vampires hate you and Caidas call you a disaster if you were free. You were imprisoned for a reason, and everyone expects me to do something because I am the only one who you let close. And still you did it only because you have the intention to use me. ”

Her voice shattered, she didn't notice how it started shaking and how her anger and worry let out.

Her eyes glinted in the darkness as she unleashed all her emotions that were eating her from inside all this time.

The confusion, doubts, lostness. Everyone expected something from her and she couldn't cope with it anymore, locking it deeper and deeper inside as she always does.

She didn't want to make it all about herself but she could no longer pretend like everything was okay. And it was not her fault. Not. Her.

“I am not the one benefiting off this situation,” Dante's voice was sharp like a knife trying to cut her heart even deeper.

“Oh, don't say that!” she snapped back. “You were the one who came to me.

You knew what you were going for when I didn't even know you were a vampire.

Don't put blame on me for being scared and hesitating. I have no reason to trust you more than Caidas. Despite how many days went by, I still know nothing about you!”

The blood under her skin was boiling, however with that the tears glistened in the corners of her eyes. But no matter how overwhelmed she was, she didn't let them out.

Dante's gaze was regardful, the undetectable emotion frozen on his face. He didn't make an attempt to stop her as her voice continued to crack.