Page 88 of Potion of Deception
“Good night,” was the only words that left his mouth – a calm velvet voice that felt like a night itself.
Violette was sittingin the living room at the round table by the window, to the sounds of hearth’s crackling. Her fingers wrapped around the cup of tea, gaze went into the distance and the darkness outside returned her thoughts to Dante.
She hadn't seen him since she woke up – he didn't leave his room or left it and sneaked out back before she could notice it. She didn't know what he was doing the whole day but it was clear – he couldn't be out, their recent trip after the Vampire Kingdom proved to her it's a bad idea to let a vampire out in the daylight. Dante was pretty reckless and unbothered by many things but she doubted he'd want to repeat that experience again.
Dante’s voice burst into the air, causing Violette to choke on her tea.
“Waiting for someone?” He leaned on the doorframe, his white teeth flashed through the mask.
The cup clunked over the saucer, the question immediately left Violette’s mouth, “Did you find something?”
The corners of his mouth tugged upwards and he quickly made his way to the table and sat down opposite her.
“There's a legend about a magical cavern with magic trophies which belonged to one witch. Want to guess what it's called?”
“The Grotto of Spells and Relics?” Her gasp curled into a smile.
“Exactly.”
The sparks danced in her eyes. “And you know where it is?”
“The legend says it could be found only with a special enchanted map,” he uttered.
“And you think Adrogans have it?”
He drew a hand along his jaw. “There's a reason for their coat of arms in the book and I'm aiming to know what it is.”
“But what about the moonstone? How does it come in hand?”
“There's one more thing. See this crescent moon,” he handed her the book with open pages. “And the keyhole. The legend says:To open the cavern you must ask the moon for help.”
Violette beamed.
“It's a key! That's brilliant,” she spat out. “So what will we do then? How do we get the map?”
Dante delightfully let out a breath. “Every first Friday of December Adrogans throw a winter ball. Luckily for us, we are just in time.”
Violette counted days in her mind, it was already the day after tomorrow.
“So you want to attend the ball?” she asked, her brows and the corners of her lips lifting in surprise.
Dante's face didn't evoke the same enthusiasm. “I didn't say this is what I want. But we are going.”
Violette assumed Adrogans were a very important and famous family – Dante almost immediately recognised their coat of arms and the Queen drew their sign a few centuries ago. It was probably hard to arrange a meeting with them, perhaps, this ball was their only chance to talk with them.
“And what then? What is the plan?”
“The mansion is run by the young Lord Adrogans,” Dante started, “his father passed not long ago and it will actually play a good hand for us.”
Violette frowned. “Someone's death?”
“It's easier to trick a young guy who has a reckless desire to show up than an old nerd.”
‘A reckless desire to show up’ sounded a bit weird, but it awakened her curiosity.
“What do you know about him?”
“I heard he is vainglorious, adventurous and haughty. Like most of the nobility so there's nothing new. However, he has an interest in magic things.” His eyes almost inflamed as he looked at Violette – he already found a role for her in his plan.
