Violette dug her palms into the seat, pressing herself against the wall desperately trying to become one with it. She crawled to peer outside, but as the carriage sped down the road, she saw nothing except a glimpse of a bright red jacket.
The wind fluttered her hair – the locks were getting in her face as she peered back for a long time after. The trees were flashing past her eyes, the cold air wrapping her by the shoulders. Her breath steadied. And then the carriage stopped.
Violette hit the floor as the horses neighed. The warm light twinkled in the darkness from the spot where the door was before it was ripped off.
“Why did we stop?” she called, rising on her feet.
“We're back,” the driver let out.
She looked out – they were in the town, standing before their inn.
“I don't know what it was but no money is worth it,” the man stuttered, wiping the sweat on his face with a handkerchief.
Her brows drew together and she jumped out of the carriage. Her gaze fell onto the peaceful inn bathing in the warm light of the lanterns,bringing a slight ease to her soul. She made it, was it stupid to think the town was her protected place? Precisely. But she had nowhere to go.
Her eyes dragged to the damaged door of the carriage. Dante probably paid the coachman in advance but she didn't have money with her to cover the damage, though it seemed it wasn't something that bothered him – he pulled the reins and got away as quickly as possible, just being happy to stay alive.
Violette picked up her petticoats and got inside the inn, wobbling to her room. She was exhausted and scared. As soon as the door behind her closed, her back laid upon it; shutting her eyes, a deep sigh slipped from her lips. Her heart had never been that close to fleeing her body.
She lightened up the room and took a few shaky steps to sit on the bed. She needed some time to come to her senses. But how possible was it?
She got rid of her capelet, in the urge to change her dress – it was getting on her nerves. She actually would rather take a shower and wash away everything she witnessed if only it would help. Her eyes darted to the clock on the wall – the arrow showed the midnight hour.
Chapter 31
LIKE A BIRD IN A CAGE
Violette remained on the bed for what felt like an eternity, her body refused to get up. The soft glow of the moonlight streamed through the window. She lay like that for a few hours, thinking and…waiting. Would Dante return? And if so, did she really want to see him? She remembered Caidas' words and they sent a pulsation down her arms. She glanced at her hands – they trembled just at the thought of him. She appeared to be on the edge without a choice, alone. She always feared to be alone and now it was her reality. There was nobody who could comfort her, to give her advice. No. There was only her and the terrible monster she was left with. She buried her face in her hands, succumbing to the sobs.
The knock on the door broke the peace of the room. The sound felt threatening to her existence, even the shadows seemed to stagger. She lifted, clenching the bedsheet with her hands, staring at the door.
“Yes?” she almost whispered.
The door creaked, a thin line of the light began to spread on the floor. A male silhouette appeared in the doorway.Dante.
She leaped from the bed. His figure leaned on the door frame, the light from the hallway catching in his inky hair, then his face. The bright red flashed, dripping from his mouth.Hisblood. One of his sleeves was torn, a wound near his neck, a cut. But he didn't look scary or threatening. Her brows arched down.
“Are youalright?” The question slipped from his lips, unusually raspy.
Violette gazed at him for a minute and then her expression changed – the anger inundated her. Not only did he turn out to be a terrible monster but now because of him other vampires wanted her dead. Although she miraculously escaped this time, she wasn't really sure if she was safe here. With him.
“I can't believe Caidas wanted to kill me,” she grunted. “Do you understand that all of it wasn't in our agreement? You lied to me. Again!”
He'd been looking at her from above, still standing at the door frame. His body moved forward, half-step and he flew with his face down.
Violette held a breath. Her eyes widened in horror – all his back was teared up, the blood streamed like a river down his muscles. Two daggers stuck out, deep to the hilt from the remainder of his shirt, now soaked with blood.
Violette froze, her legs glued to the floor. She could leave him like this, it's not like he wasn't immortal. Maybe, it would be even better if he wasn't and he would die. She had no reason to help, to feel sympathy for him after all she knew about him and what he did. About the monster he was. And yet this monster was her only protection, the only living soul who could save her from other vampires. Her hand trembled, clenching into a fist. She had to do something. After all, she wasn't heartless.
She teetered closer and tried to turn himover.
A moan of pain shattered the silence before Dante opened his eyes only halfway.
“What now? I can no longer lie quietly on the floor?” He breathed heavily.
It wasn't funny and only made Violette scowl. “Do you want to bleed on the floor?”
“It's less painful if not moving, however I'll be honest – your touches are quite pleasant,” he murmured.
