“Come on, Little Witch,” he said airily and Violette stood up while straightening the folds on the skirt.
Little Witch...
Maybe it was the way he said it at the moment, or maybe it was just this nickname but it brought warmth to her soul, as if her heart was wrapped in a soft blanket. And…she liked it.
They were once again standingby the little potion table over the black pot with the teal liquid inside. Violette poured the ready potion into a crystal multifaceted bottle with the ladle. Her hand slipped in the bag for the map as Dante stopped her with his hand.
“Not here.”
“Why? I thought you trust Lamia.” She batted her lashes twice.
“I don't trust anyone. She's good but I don't want to let my guard down. It would be overhasty.”
The creaking of the wooden stairs interfered with their conversation, followed by the witch's footsteps and both Dante and Violette closed their mouths before she reached the floor.
“Finished with your potion?” Lamia asked with a hint of gaiety in her tone.
Violette pressed her lips and nodded approvingly. And before both of them would exchange another few words Dante aired, “It was nice doing business with you.”
“We both know you don't think so.” Her brow arched in an insolent manner.
“Did it not sound sincere?”
“No.”
“Because it wasn't.” The corner of his mouth twitched upward.
Violette stepped out from the house as Dante already went ahead. The fresh air burst into her lungs. The stars in the sky were still scintillating just as brightly – the night promised to be calm.
“It was nice to meet you, Violette,” Lamia’s gentle voice carried by the wind, and followed by the same smile while she stood on the doorstep. “You know, I won't say you are lucky to meet Dante but, believe me, there's much worse vampires out there. At least, he doesn't pretend to be something he is not.”
Itwas hard to believe these words when Violette knew the truth of his past, but she just responded to her with a faint smile.
“Goodbye, Lamia,” she said kindly, the corners of her eyes lifted.
“May the moon light up your way back home,” the witch said at last as Violette turned around and followed Dante who was already passing the pond.
They were walking to the forest which began not far from Lamia’s house. Finally, Dante stopped and extended his hand, asking for the map.
Violette reached into her bag and pulled out the folded parchment, passing it to him. Then she took out the bottle of the magic potion she'd prepared earlier this evening. The teal liquid sparkled before her eyes as the bubbles inside hissed.
As Dante unfolded the map, two drops of the potion fell on its surface – a purple smoke appeared emanating from the place where it was spilled. Only a fraction of a second and magic spread throughout the paper, as if removing a protective barrier. The map began to transform, the pictures began to change – villages, towns, forests began to be replaced by others and finally the map showed its true face. In the northeast's forest – not far from some old little town – a pulsating purple light indicated their destination. Golden letters in cursive writing arose on the same spot –Grotto of Spells and Relics. This was where their way lay, their last journey, unless the Queen decided to lead them into another trap. Violette had enough mysteries and obstacleson her way, it would be better if it really was theirlaststop.
Dante appeared unexpectedly serious; Violette had anticipated he would be pleased. Instead, he looked as if the map showed him not the path to liberation, but spat right in his face.
“You know where it is?” she inquired.
“I think two nights from here, maybe less if we hurry up. We'll take a carriage here,” he pointed to the paper, his finger traced higher, “To Turret and then the one to Lagrival, then walk from there through the Dormant Woods.”
Violette thoughtfully nodded. Finally they had a clear plan to follow, finally everything was coming together.
Chapter 35
HUNTED
Violette studied the map while Dante dozed off. She was plotting the path to the magical cave in her head.
The map has indeed changed since they broke the spell – some of the names have shifted, and the position of places has switched. Where it was empty now towered kingdoms, some towns disappeared, new ones emerged, more forests grew, and new lakes formed. The map seemed to adjust to their time and it wasn't surprising, since Dante said the Queen lived several centuries ago – it was likely that the map showed old places that are unknown to anyone now or bear little resemblance to nowadays.
