Page 31 of Dance With Death

“I wouldn’t go as far as ‘perfect’. Something untoward could occur.”

I’d argue that’s why we should keep away, but there’s zero point in trying, as a buoyed Violet pulls me from the tree, half-dragging me into the woods.

Not exactly the evening together I’d planned.

“Taking my potion is becoming inconvenient,” she comments as we tramp further into the gloom across the dirt.

I stop dead. “You did take the potion today, right?”

“Yes, Rowan. I’m merely speculating that the girls' scent would be stronger if I wasn’t desensitized. Humans would be easier to stalk if their blood attracted me.”

“Violet.” She looks over her shoulder. “Please never, ever say that in public.”

Without responding, Violet switches to treading carefully through the woodland. She’s able to follow the girls’ trail—not from the faint scent she can pick up, but because Violet’s hearing picks up hushed voices.

“Is there anywhere popular this group would go?” she asks. “Strange buildings in the woods? Mysterious caves?”

“Not especially. Apart from the clearing with the pit for fire night, there’s a place farther into the woods, closer to academy than town. Students call the place Witches Rocks.”

“Is this meeting place used for witchcraft? The moniker ‘Witches Rocks’ rather suggests so.”

“No. Usually for kids to hang out and drink. There’s no magic energy converging in the area, despite the name.”

“Hidden?”

“Yeah, because the rocks are farther from the path that leads through to the edge of town.” I point to the worn patch of ground that creates a makeshift route, covered in footprints and bicycle tire tracks.

“Very well. In this vicinity?”

“We’re headed that way. If the girls are too, I’d guess yes.”

The humans continue to hurry, now silent, until a different voice calls out to them. We slow and creep closer towards Witches Rocks and pause once they’re in view from our vantage point behind a thick trunk.

Violet breaks into a smile—Marci, Nita, and Zoe greet the human girls. Whatever they’re doing, the girls aren’t hiding themselves well by choosing this as the meeting place, although all are dressed in dark clothes. Only when the humans pull back their hoods do we see they’re Helen and Isabella.

A single flashlight rests on the ground creating a circular lit area around a meter wide in the center of the stones. Nita is kneeling, her back to us, then turns around a minute later with a small tin in her hands. The five girls huddle together and pour over what’s inside, their bodies keeping the box’s contents out of view.

Violet’s brow pinches in concentration as she listens. I poke her. “What are they discussing?”

“Nobody mentioned the brooches. Money.” She slants her head.

“Who’s paying who?”

“They’re sharing money.”

“What for?” I ask.

“All I heard was ‘have you got more?’ from—I think—Isabella. Do you believe Marci is dealing in illicit substances? That’s often a reason for clandestine meetings and money exchanging hands.”

“Drug dealing?” I whisper. “That doesn’t seem like Marci’s style.”

“Witches with the correct skills can make potions and tinctures. Maybe that’s why they shared spell books in the library? Most concoctions wouldn’t assist humans, though,” says Violet to herself.

Helen unfastens the small bag she carried on one shoulder then pulls out small square packets before adding them to the space obscured to us.

“Or the other way around?” I ask. “Did you see what’s in the packets that Helen took from her bag?”

“No.” Violet’s teeth clench. “I must talk to them.”

---