“Wow, you indeed can't stand him.”
“He's one of the most loyal dogs of Caidas,” Dante spat. “His appearance doesn't bode well.”
“What problems do you have with other vampires? I can't figure it out no matter how long I think about it,” Violette finally dared to ask.
“I am just being myself,” he voiced.
“Well, that's definitely a good reason, to be honest,” she poked.
He eyed her with a satisfied smile.
She didn't give up, she needed to solve this mystery. “But being honest, what have you done to them?”
The smile suddenly washed from his face and any hint of humanity as well. He looked away as he breathed the cold. “Watch your steps, Little Witch.”
“What?” As soon as the question left her mouth, she tripped over the crooked tree roots sticking out of the ground.
“You could have said it earlier,” she huffed.
“Andyoucould watch where you're going. I'm saying this not only about your legs,” the bloodlessly scattered through his voice, giving the impression of a parent annoyed by the curiosity of a child.
Violette rolled her eyes. “You know, I'm more and more convinced that your life is actually very boring so you try to make it look much more interesting with all these mysterious and scary tones. Like you want others to be scared of you and think you're such a danger but actually the only scary thing you do in your life is sleeping with your leg extended under the blanket. I imagine what you did to the vampires is similar to eating a cake meant for everyone all by yourself.”
“Yes, vampires are very sensitive about their cakes.” His face remained stoic.
“No, I'm pretty serious. You're always detaching yourself and running away from the conversation as if it can scare me away. I'm already stuck with you, Dante,” she grumbled at last. Partly she wanted to play on his pride, but she said the truth as well – she was indeed stuck with him, doesn't matter what he'd confess – she can't escape.
“Well.” Dante turned around, looking straight at her face. His eyes dilated to the full black. He made a step and suddenly for herself Violette staggered back. “Do you really think I do it because I want to seem too interesting for you or any other?”
“I wouldn't say you are looking for approval,” she faltered, taking one more step back, as he seemed to be shrinking the space between them. “I mean, you don't look like a person who wants to meet people at all…”
“The first time you are right about me. I don't care what other people think or whatyouare thinking about me. But I made it clear that I need your help so think about my mysterious answers,” he drew a step closer and Violette's back hit the tree, “as a nice gesture of mine to not hurt your sensitive and pathetic human feelings.”
His eyes struck with iciness, causing the hair on her neck to stand on end.
“I know that you're scared, Little Witch. You're trying to pretend you're not but I can hear your heart pounding so fast like it is preparing for the race. Especially right now. Maybe I can'tread your mind but I can see you terrified of this situation with vampires and where it would lead you. You can lie to anyone, but not to me becauseIsee through you.”
She held her breath as he continued with his voice low and steady.
“This mask is on me for a reason and believe me you won't like the story behind it. Stop asking your questions and just do what I say to you.”
His face drifted away from her as he turned around and walked away.
An exhale finally slid past her lips. Then by impulsive thought, she scooped snow and threw it right at his head.
He faced her in a span of a second. “Are you again?!”
“It's a warning to never come close or speak to me in that tone again,” she burst furiously. Was she afraid? Yes. Has she thought about it? Absolutely not.
“If you do it aga–”
Another pile of snow flew at his chest. She met his irritated stare with a glower.
“Did you finish?” he asked calmly.
“Not even close,” she seethed, holding another pressed ball of the snow in her hand, her skin burned. “Maybe I'm scared but it doesn't mean I can't stand up for myself. Want to be scary and frightening? Fine, you can keep pushing everyone away but I won't tolerate such behavior towardsmyself. Otherwise, you'll have to figure out how to take off your mask on your own, understood?”
“Don't pretend that you don't need me just as much.” He glared.
