“Rude,” she mumbled.
Without a word he straightened his legs and threw them over her seat, making Violette snort as she took another bite of her delicious treats.
Chapter 6
A WITCH!
The sun had set below the horizon a long time ago as the carriage still was moving in the same rhythm to the north. The silence that reigned between them continued for hours and was unlikely to disappear anytime soon. Violette watched Dante looking out the window whereas he was pretending he didn't notice it or simply didn't care.
The scenery outside didn't change for some time – only an impenetrable thicket of trees. The only light source was a silver moon and an old lantern hanging above the coachman’s head.
There was nothing interesting outside the window, so she assumed Dante just wanted to keep his eyes busy with something to not meet her stare. And in the moment she wanted to finally break the silence, the carriage suddenly stopped. It made Dante finally tear his eyes off the window. His back straightened, and his body stiffened as he looked sideways. It was certainly not a planned stop by the way his facial expression changed, no longer looking so untouchable.
“Why did we stop?” Violette opened her mouth in confusion.
Dante didn't have time to answer as the head of a man in a black mask popped up in the window. Violette yelped in surprise as the man threatened.
“Give me all your money!”
His voice hadn't sounded as menacing as the dagger he pulled out and pointed towards the girl. Her eyes darted to Dante, being completely unconcerned of the situation. More than that, helooked bored and not surprised, like it was something usual to witness. Like the thief was just a salesman who stopped their coach to promote his new ‘magical’ product to them – the invention of the year. It could mean only two things – Dante either had a lack of emotions and awareness or it was the road thieves that were so common in this land he just wasn't impressed. Not the first, nor the second of these assumptions could make Violette happy.
The big man in a mask shook the dagger in his hand. “I said give me everything you have!”
The hairs on Violette's neck raised, heart hammering against her chest like a drum.
“Want to take care of him and show your magical abilities you are so proud of?” Dante finally showed signs of life.
Violette blinked twice.Right, she's a wizardling after all.It happened so suddenly she completely forgot she could whip this man out the window. As she woke up out of her little trance, her hand clung to her magic wand.
“What? Want to fight me with a stick?” the man derided as she pointed her wand at him.
One word and, with a flash of light, the man blew away right into a tree. He shook his head and just in a quick moment his face distorted in absolute fear and malice.
“The sorcery…” he gasped, his eyes went round but soon they narrowed in two slits, expressing not fear, but total anger. “Go back to Hell!” he screamed and lunged at the girl.
Violette's eyes widened.
“Well, that escalated quickly,” were the only words that escaped her mouth before bolting to the other window of the carriage. “Are you not going to help?” Her eyes full of indignation flickered at Dante.
“No more hocus-pocus?” He faked disappointment but didn't even move an inch. That's it – because of this stupid guy she will die. She knew it would not end well but she didn’t expect it would be that soon.
Violette had to think quickly, she didn't want to hurt this man, which couldn't be said about him though. Her hands kept trembling, making it hard to focus, to remember any spell. Her heartbeat was racing, anxiety lingered beneath her skin. She jumped out of the carriage and pointed her magic wand at the robber. A burst of courage just before it faded to dark and her hands started shaking again as the man hit the tree with his back and hovered in the air for a couple of seconds before falling to the ground with a heavy rumble. His hand was still clasping the hilt of the dagger. Back on his feet, he shook his head.
Violette stared at the man without blinking when she mumbled, “There's no need for this. Just let us go.”
“Evil spirits have no place in this forest!” the man spat.
It sounded bizarre – Violette was anything but evil and definitely not a spirit, if she hadn't died a few minutes ago and all of it was a dream of hers right now, of course. Anyway, the robber's flaring nostrils were threatening enough to her, as well ashis eyes filled with blood. Violette didn't have time to react as he threw himself in her direction. She tottered, making a step back as her heel stumbled over a bulging rock. Her body lost balance, her vision blurred. But just before he would reach Violette, a tall figure in a black cloak obscured her, a shadow cast on her face. Dante appeared out of nowhere, in one blink, he was already standing in front of the thief.
The man tried to hook him with his dagger but Dante quickly moved to the side, then as he tried to stab him again, the young man without an effort dodged another blow.
“Do you even know how to use it?” he said calmly, even now, his face not showing any concern.
Showing on her feet, Violette carefully tread back to the carriage as the man tried to fight Dante but, instead, tripped over his leg, flying with his face into the ground.
“No, I'm serious. Is it your first time?” The corner of Dante’s lips lifted, a mischievous note surged in his voice. “How are you holding a dagger? What do you want to do with it, slice some bread for dinner?”
The man got up again, writhing and rubbing his face.
