“Mmm,” he let out, “one assumption is worse than another.”
Dante had quite a lot of enemies, as Violette had already guessed after their lovely visit to the Vampire Kingdom. For whatever reason other vampires didn't like him, some even – according to her assumption – hated him. Even Caidas seemed very cold and hostile towards Dante, despite how honorably he endured their conversation and didn't interfere with direct actions. But still he asked Violette to kill him…Could it be him? Did he decide to check if she had changed her mind about the dagger yet? Or if she was already done with it?
They were jogging through the woods. The hem of her dress had been getting in the way of her legs and she hadn't had time to change into more comfortable clothes. Drifts of snow on the ground only made it harder to get through. Of course, it wasn't difficult for Dante, but Violette was out of breath and almost caught herself oversomething covered with a layer of snow. The air was heavy and cold, pervasive through the sheer fabric of her gloves.
She's been assuming they tried to confuse their pursuers running deeper in the forest, instead of taking a ride by the carriage. But it was pointless anyway – the hound dogs had been already waiting for their prey between the trees.
Chapter 30
THE HOUND DOGS
“Running away from guests is considered bad manners. You should've known this, Dante,” a sinister voice came out from under the shadow of a tree, the tone making skin crawl from one’s bones.
Caidas.
Violette froze.
“Won't you even say hello?” Caidas pushed his back off the tree and left the shadow. Another pair of eyes appeared near. She was familiar with that blond head –Nigel.Violette’s heart shrunk at the sight of his bared fangs.
Dante rolled his eyes in displeasure, and Violette felt how the tension in the air acquired new colors.
“I remember a time when you were polite and nice. Where have your manners gone?” Caidas' voice was like a sudden burst of cold breeze, spreading goosebumps all over her skin.
Nigel side-glanced at him with a satisfied grin.
“It was a few centuries ago, the memory is no longer the same,” Dante responded indifferently.
“For your status, you are being extremely rude.”
“Really? Didn't notice,” he waved insensitively. “Are you here to give me a lesson about manners?”
Violette’s eyes shot to Dante, then to the two vampires before returning it tohim. Caidas' words lingered in her mind for half a second.
For your status, echoed in her head.
“Hello, Violette,” Caidas said kindly, turning his amber eyes to her.
Violette lowered her gaze ingratiatingly – she guessed why he was here. Nigel meanwhile stayed silent, the reserved smile froze on his face as his eyes glanced between both of them. He looked like he was here for entertainment purposes, waiting for something that could occupy his attention.
“Why are you here? To take away the Vampire Slayer? Or convince Violette to kill me?” Dante breathed in the air as his brows twisted together.
Violette pursed her lips, hazarding a fleeting look at Caidas.
“Hm, I see you know,” he said placidly, and then spoke to the girl again, “I'm not angry with you, Violette. However, I think you are making a big mistake.”
“I told you I won't do it,” she said with a gloom in her tone, finally letting her eyes meet his.
“I remember, however I hoped you'd appeal to common sense. You know what is the right thing to do, don't you?” Was he trying to make her feel guilty or was he still trying to convince her to change her mind? “Dante is a bad person to be around and you know it.”
Dante ground his teeth.
“When will you stop pretending I'm not standing right here and tell all of it to my face? If you want me dead you should've just said it,” his voice even, the embodiment of tranquility itself, but it inspired a strange feeling in the air.
“Dante, you should know as nobody else that a ruler should do what’s best for his people. It's a shame you'd never had the chance to experience it for yourself.”
“Interesting why,” he finally let some emotions pervade his tone. The muscle near his mouth twitched crossly.
“You can't blame anyone for what happened, except for yourself,” Caidas persistently cut out.
