“Long time no see. I thought you forgot about me,” she let out.
“If only,” Dante said flatly.
“Cad.” She waved hand before her gaze shifted to Violette, standing beside him. “Hello. Are you with him?”
“It's Violette. We have business,” Dante said dryly, without elaborating on what exactly connected both of them.
“Hi,” Violette hadn't had time to say anything else as the woman exclaimed.
“Oh, Dante got himself a girlfriend?” she teased with a sweet smile.
“Oh, no-no-no,” Violette nervously laughed, “I'd rather die.”
The woman burst into laughter, the sound shaking the walls. “No wonder! Dante is not the one to fall in love with.”
“Uhhh, I wouldn't agree with it,” Dante spoke. “I'm definitely much more handsome than your former lover.” He arched his back and took something small from the table, fidgeting it between his fingers.
“At least he was nice, until he decided to break my heart, of course.” The woman ironically shrugged, turning to the girl.
Violette bared her teeth in an awkward smile.
“We both know it's not entirely true,” Dante said and with it something flew in his direction that he deftly dodged. His teeth flashed through the mask and then his regard got back to Violette. “I think it's hard to believe but once she was young and pretty. Though it was a very long time ago, nobody actually remembers such times.”
“Oh, nobody? I am pretty sure you were there. But of course, you don't remember. How could you? A bag of sand. Having problems with memory is quite common at your age,” the witch drawled.
Dante huffed, and his face lightened up with a slight smile as he jumped on the table and dangled his legs.
Violette angled her head to better inspect the witch. Dante was right – she wasn't young, although beauty didn't entirely leave her face. She was definitely way older than both of them, well – if speaking of Dante – he looked young despite living centuries. Her tanned skin was giving off a bronze tint and barely noticeable wrinkles formed on her face were imparting some charm to her appearance. The dark hair with copper undertone pinned back was covered with a multi-colored scarf. A few messy locks fell onto her rosy cheeks.
“I'm Lamia.” She smiled at her.
“Didn't think Dante had a friend,” Violette remarked. Something about their interaction seemed like they'd known each other for too long and too good to be just 'partners' as he stated.
“A friend? Me befriending a vampire?” She laughed loudly before distinctly letting out “Never.”
Violette doubted it. “For someone who doesn't like vampires you're too welcoming with us.”
“The enemy of my ex-lover is automatically my ally – it's as simple as this.” Lamia's eyes flashed with amber fire.
“Well, considering Dante, he has a lot of enemies.” Violette glanced to the side.
“It's definitely true. So what do you want?” Lamia asked, changing her gaze to the vampire.
“We need some ingredients for a potion,” Dante voiced, playing with a round statue in his hands.
“Yes, we need Sideralis and Emersus powder,” Violette added.
Lamia listened very attentively, her eyes crinkled with suspicion as she switched her gaze back to Dante.
“And what are you up to?”
“Me?” Dante raised his brows.
“You want to make a rare ingredient potion, I want to know what you are up to.”
“Nothing criminal if you are worried about it.” He shrugged it off.
“Knowing you, I wouldn't trust your words. At least because you don't really separate good deeds from bad.” Her eyes narrowed.
