A pinch creased between Violette’s brows. “I'm sorry, Eve, I promise it's not as it seems–”
“You're a vampire,” she trembled, frightened by Dante’s presence.
His eyes gleamed in the dark. Eve could feel something in the air was warning her but she was too blinded by her naive soul and intention to help a sweet couple. Her innocence led her to a trap.
She took an uncertain step back, shrinking into herself.
“You tricked me, I believed you!” She raised her voice, though it was noticeably shaking. Fear and disappointment was snaking under her skin. “I believed you, I thought we were similar!” Her eyes radiated such misery and chagrin. For a moment she thought Violette was such a kind of dreamer like her.
“I'm truly sorry, Eve. I didn't lie to you. It's true, I was unfortunate to meet a vampire and sealed a deal with him. And in order to fulfill my part, I must help him,” Violette tried to explain herself.
Eve shook her head, thinking how stupid she was to believe two strangers. It was only her fault. It was only her gullibility that brought her here; she shouldn't have trusted them. She hadn't thought that someone like Violette could set her up like that, she was a witch, just like her…Sisters don't do that. But she forgot one small detail – they weren't sisters, she was not one of the Witches of Emerald Capes, she was just a stranger.
“You got involved with a vampire! I won't help you, I won't take part in this.” She pushed the book towards Violette, raising her hands.
“Please, Eve…I need help. It's for the person I love. For my father. He is ill and Dante promised me a cure for my assistance and this spell, in this stupid book, can help with it. I owed him,” the anxiety was creeping into Violette’s voice.
Eve hovered, the words about her father touched her fragile heart. Her brows bent, eyes filled with regret, but the next thing she said was not what Violette had expected.
“I'm sorry, but this is dark magic. I won't do this.”
“It's not like you have a choice,” Dante's words cut the air, his voice cold and slightly distant, bitter as before. There was nothing left of the sweet tone.
“Or rather to say, Violette doesn't really have it, but you do. Formally. You either help us, or I'll burn this forest with your lovely witches to the ground,” he declared, his eyes grew dim.
Violette turned her head the vampire's way as he approachedcloser. Too stunned to speak, she couldn't believe what she heard.
Eve shuddered. “You can't do it.”
“I'm a vampire, weren't you the one who said I am one of the most terrible creatures to exist?” he sneered darkly.
“You can't. This forest–”
“Protected by magic? Do you think I don’t know? You should have listened to your sisters better when they'd said that meeting a vampire does not lead to good things,” with these words he took out a small brown pouch out of his pocket. “Ever heard aboutIgnire Omniaash?”
Awe crossed Eve's face. She turned pale in a twinkling.
“You won't dare…”
“It really won't be difficult for me. I have no sympathy for you and those you know.”
Violette's eyes flew to the little bag in his hand. The powder that was considered an ash was extremely hard to get, it had a ruinous power so it became forbidden to have. There were only a few powders like this. And, she couldn't remember which one the vampire was referring to, she recalled her knowledge of Latin. Ignire Omnia…Burn everything.
Her knees went weak. This powder could engulf everything in a terrible fire, turning this forest into ashes in one night. Dante was playing violently, unfairly. And why in the world was she surprised when it was so clear who he was?
“Wait! You didn't tell me about it,” she called out. “We didn't agree that way!”
“When will you learn that I don't require your approval for anything, Little Witch?” he simply voiced, not bothered by her protest.
“It's not fair…” The color drained off her face, her jaw tightened. Meanwhile, the witch in an emerald cloak backed away.
“I don't play fair. It's not effective.” His gaze became gloomy. “I need the spell. And I don't care how I'll get it.”
“You're a menace to this world…” Eve whispered, her voice shuddered. “And you…” She looked at Violette, her forehead creased.
Violette swallowed, the witch looked at her with such longing and disappointment. She expected sharp words in her direction, but Eve's tone didn't sound angry. Instead it was miserable and draining.
“I'm sorry for you,” she said and lowered her eyes to the snow just for a second. “I wasn't exaggerating saying vampires are a curse. Get lucky to get rid of this disaster because it seems like he’ll doom you and he’s already halfway through.”
