She took out a long-sleeved dress of a vivid purple color with a cape attached to its back.
Dante pulled one of the sleeves and sniffed it. “I can still smell traces of you. Can you change it with magic?”
Violette faltered. “I can conjure a trailing scent but it'll be very light like a perfume. There's no spell to change a scent, especially since vampires havesucha sensitive smelling ability.”
“Fine, then just change clothes and throw my coat on top,” he suggested.
“Won't they smell you?”
“No,” he flung overthe shoulder, leaving the room. “Vampires can't sense each other. The only way they can track us down is your scent.”
So strange…Violette could clearly smell Dante, for a vampire he had a very delightful scent – it reminded her of a late summer night, lulling her to peace, totally the opposite of death.
Violette's dresswas a slightly warmer tone of violet than her previous one. It had long sheer sleeves to the knuckles, black lace along the hem of the tiered skirt, which ended just above the knees. A wide corset belt, decorated with silver star patterns entwined her waist, her magic wand hanging behind.
As she found Dante on his way downstairs, he measured her from top to toe, his eyes lingered for two seconds on her collarbone crossed with lilac ribbons, matching the black one on her neck with a violet rose. “Are you ready?”
She nodded as they stepped down and he shoved her his long embroidered coat in a dark blue. It was heavy and much bigger than her, making her doubt she would be as fast in it as always but it wasn't like she had other options. At least, it was warm and soft inside, she felt like she was wrapped in a blanket.
As they approached the first floor she noticed a hint of concern on Dante's face – it was something new for sure. Her fingers seized the coat, pulse quickened. She looked around, althoughit was a pointless thing – she couldn't distinguish between vampires anyway.
“Let's go out the back door.” He moved to the back of the hall. "Stay here for a moment, I'll take a look around,” he said near the threshold and just before leaving, he turned to her and said formidably, “Don'tdo anything.”
“I won't,” she breathed with the intention to keep the promise.
His forehead crinkled, gaze lingered on her face, and then he disappeared in a second as if merging with the darkness outside.
Violette only now noticed how loud her heart was thumping, she could hear it in her ears. Growing anxiety made her look out to see if Dante was coming back.
“Hello,” a cloying voice called instead.
A male head popped out in the doorway, a malignant smile dancing on the corners of his lips.
The blood in her veins curdled.
Bad.It was very bad.
Two young men blocked her path. One of them bared his teeth –fangs. Such a simple act but it made Violette nervously back up, she suddenly felt like caught prey. She reflexively reached for the wand, though it wouldn't help her.
“Don't think we are familiar but you know some of our friends,” another vampire finally smiled as they both made their way closer.
Her back pressed into the wall and she shut her eyes in fear. The echoing heartbeat in her head was all-consuming. And then sheremembered she actually was holding the most powerful thing.The Vampire Slayer.If only she could reach it in her bag.
Her eyes flew open as something hit the wall nearby. The vampire who was threatening her a few seconds ago was pressed to the wall with a broken forehead. The bright red was dripping to the ground as she raised her eyes to Dante, who was seizing his neck. Another one tried to hit him but ended up being hit into another wall, his legs hanging up in the air. Dante squeezed his collar and leaned closer.
“I'll say only once, so listen closely and tell others,” his voice came out raucous. “I'll rip the head off anyone who even breathes her way,” he snarled.
Violette could feel her heart palpitating relentlessly against her chest, each beat echoing like a drum in the silence. She seemed to be fused with the ground, as if invisible vines held her firmly in place, refusing to let her move even an inch.
Dante added, “Now, if you value your limbs, get lost.” His fists unclenched, letting the vampires go, and both of them whipped out into the darkness.
Violette breathed out, oblivious to how loud it was. Dante spun to her, his expression remained serious and baleful, his features hard and sharp. But his voice turned out much softer.
“Are you fine?” he asked, something twinkled in his eyes.
She held his gaze, swallowed and slowly nodded, fastening her nails into the fabric of her coat.
“We need to hurry,” he said and grabbed her by the hand. They almost jumped outside in the direction of the forest. Violette once again looked back at the city lights as her legs continued to run towards the thick trees, her hair fluttering against the wind.
