The air burst into Violette’s lungs as they reached the top, a strong cough seized her throat. Dante pulled her to himself.
“Breathe, Little Witch, breath,” his voice sounded near her ear as she continued gasping for the air.
His hands enfolded around her, as he started to move both of them to the land, letting her wrap her arms around his neck. Reaching the shore Violette fell on her palms, clearing her throat. She was trembling like a wet kitten, her hair stuck to her face and neck.
Dante helped her to get up.
“Are you okay?” His warm breath braced her face, his palm cupped her cheek as he steadied her.
Her eyes wet and wide stared at him as she breathed heavily. She swallowed before slowly nodding.
“Just breathe, okay? I wasn't serious telling you to not drown ifpossible.” His thumb caressed along her cheek.
Suddenly Violette broke her gaze and lifted her head up. It was strangely dark. The sky was not just clouded, it was almost black, no sign of stars and the moon. The eerie naked trees surrounded the lake as if they grew over the last hour, embedding even more concern in her heart. She'd thought she was still under the shock, but Dante looked around as well and his facial expressions didn't promise anything good.
The shadows started to occupy the place, the ominous fog spreading through the skeletal trees reached the lake. The sudden frost evoked goosebumps on Violette's arms. She clutched the scroll in her hands.
“We need to go,” Dante stated, and in opposition to his steady voice, his eyes gave away a worry.
“What is happe–” Violette didn't have time to finish as trees rustled and a hysterical howl spread over the forest.
“Run!” Dante ordered and Violette rushed to grab her boots and cloak.
As they tried to make their way out, some rigid tree branch slapped Violette in the stomach, making her eyes squint. Another one caught on her wet skirt and as she turned to let it free, she realized the branch was actually a claw pulling her closer. All other trees distorted, beginning to look like the real nightmare monsters with growing limbs and beastly faces, sowing bone-chilling horror.
The branches were chaotically moving in an attempt to grab Violette as something silver flashed before her eyes – a dagger went throughthe wooden fingers. Dante grabbed her by the hand. The ground shook. Something was indeed following them. The shadows behind kept moving in their direction, fog started to take on strange features and shapes which Violette had no desire to see as her legs continued to run through the forest.
As they passed some bushes, her eyes flew in that direction – two eyes flickered at her from the darkness. Suddenly, she realized it was not the first eyes she'd seen in this forest today. Her boots pushed off the ground, her breath unsteady, but she could feel the adrenaline rush to her head.
A dozen black birds flew right between Dante and Violette, followed by Violette's shriek as she was trying to get rid of them. The steps shook the ground again, whatever it was it was coming for them, it washunting.
They were wriggling through the trees, the branches tried to claw Violette from all the sides, tearing the edges of her skirt and her cloak. A few more feet and they rushed past the sign:
“Why did you stop?” Violette exhaled, almost swallowing her words.
“They can't leave the forest. We're safe,” Dante cleared his throat.
She shot her gaze back to the woods – two big red eyes, peering at them and then slowly faded in the blackness. The chill went down her spine. They made it out.
“Are you alright?” Dante asked, looking at Violette with a less gentle sight as the moment she nearly drowned.
Trying to catch her breath, she leaned over, pressing her palms to her knees.
“I don't remember when I ran that fast. I don't even think I ever did,” she exhaled and then the vampire did an extremely odd thing – extended his hand to her. Violette's eyes widened, her gaze dropped at his hand.
What does it mean? Should she reach out?
She hesitated, gazing at his palm before he interrupted this awkward pause.
“The scroll,” he said.
“Oh, right.” She looked at her hand, grasping the rolled sheet of paper. “Here.”
Stupid, Violette. You are very stupid.
She handed him the parchment. Despite being protected by magic, as it was completely dry, it looked like an ordinary piece of paper with a stamp on it, nothing special.
“Now let's get out of here,” Dante voiced.
