A deep breath filled her chest and she made a step from the shadow, her pulse quickened. And why did she even think she could follow him unnoticed? Dante was moving smoothly as a shadow of the lantern, he was noticing lots of details at once, while she knew how to make noise, for sure.
“You knew I was here?” she burst out.
“You are not really good at spying, but I respect the effort.” A half smile touched his face as the corners of his eyes slightly rose.
“I wasn't spying. I mean, I just tried to find out more about what you are up to.” She rolled her eyes to the side, gripping her hood tightly.
“It's the equivalentof spying.”
“Perhaps, but it wouldn't be necessary if you didn't hide so much from me.”
“Your curiosity can get you in trouble one day.” His voice was bracing as frost.
“Is it a threat?” She stalked closer.
“No.” A quiet chortle. “A warning. You can meet someone who doesn't like it when someone sneaks into their business and it'll cause you problems.”
“Then tell me what you are doing here alone,” she insisted, meeting his stare.
An annoying smug smile lit up his face as he tilted his head to the side.
“I can ask you the same question.”
Violette stayed sullen, he just tried to get away with that answer. “My question remains the same.”
“What if I just like walking at night?” he said simply.
She raised her brows as her hands crossed on her chest. “Really?”
“I find this time quite peaceful. I'm not a big admirer of day's bustle. Besides, walking at night helps clear the head.”
“You don't really like people, do you?”
“I prefer to say I value my personal space.” Something magical was in his voice, so low, cold and mystifying as the night itself. Unhuman.
“So you didn't leave the room today? I didn't see you,” she pressed.
“I stayed inside. And now I want a little bit of fresh air.” He turned, deciding to continue his walk.
Violette hesitated, should she just follow him? Either way, she has to. It was hard to believe he was just enjoying the night air.
She caught up with him in a moment, trying to continue their conversation.
“Don't you fear someone would think you are up to no good being outside at such a late hour?”
“Do you?” he drew nonchalantly.
She didn't respond, her brows knitted, she was determined to get the answer despite his evasiveness, and she wasn’t about to joke.
“It's not like I care about what others think,” he uttered, continuing ambling down the street.
“Do you even care about anything else except for yourself?”
“I will be pretty honest, Little Witch, it seems you've been thinking a lot about me. I might start to think you’re fixated on me.”
She shot him a dirty look. “For a person in a mask you think too highly about yourself.”
“It's because Iknowhow I look behind the mask. But why should it matter to you? Think too much about it?” He leaned to her for a second.
