Flowers for the Dead

1. Closing Down

With a heavy sigh, Violette smiled softly. She gently laid her chin on her right palm and stared at the vermillion-haired woman seated across from her. Her long locks were tied into a neat and braided low bun. The woman dressed in a velvet green dress quietly sipped her teacup, showcasing her elegant movements and aura.

It was not the first time she met Elise Holloway, the youngest child of the esteemed Holloways. Why the two go way back to almost two centuries ago. Back to the time Elise was still a Vampire Lady and overseeing her Cereus land while Violette was the owner of a popular pub that is still active to this day.

"Ellie, deary, what brings you to me? I have received quite a surprise from your unexpected self-invitation. Of course, you are always welcome to my humble place, but it would be pleasantly nice to know beforehand deary," Violette said in a cheery tone as she tried to fix a displaced pearl used to decorate her hair.

Elise lifted her eyebrow at her longtime friend with a small smile.

"Oh, why you know me, deary! I know you have some bleak news to share. Now, do not leave me in the suspense. Tell me the news! I am simply overflowing with curiosity."

This time Elise sighed. She placed her teacup, full of chrysanthemum tea, on the plate and her green eyes stared into Violette's dark blue eyes. "You never change, do you, Violette?"

The named woman grinned, bringing her gloved hand to lightly place touch on her lips. She didn't reply, but her gesture implied her confirmation.

"I have a request." Elise hesitated and pursed her lips. She seemed nervous. When she saw Violette nodding to encourage her to continue, Elise inhaled deeply before stating slowly, "I know this is sudden, Violette, but I do not know who else to turn to."

"Hmm?" Violette hummed as her eyes curiously widened. "What is ever the matter, Ellie?"

"My daughter has gone missing. It has been a few months, and she has not replied to anyone. We tried contacting everyone she met previously. No one knew anything about how and why she disappeared." Elise clenched her trembling fists and pulled her hands closer to her, ignoring the small trails of blood that were caused by her nails. She didn't even bat an eye when the blood dropped and stained her dress.

Furrowing in her eyebrows, Violette subtly frowned. "Little Faith is missing? Well, I was initially pondering about her absence at my last tea party. The little one has never missed my invitation."

Elise nodded. Her green eyes darkened with worry. "I talked to Alastair, and even he does not know. It is almost as if something—or someone—is blocking his magic tracing. There are not many who can best Alastair in his expertise."

"Ohhh?" Violette dragged the word. Her pink-painted lips lifted into a sly and amused smile. She leaned forward a little, almost spilling her tea. "I did not know that you and Alastair are in a talking relationship now. Pardon the pun, Ellie, but you must spill the tea."

Her friend rolled her eyes with her mouth pulling downward. "Not the point, Violette. That is off-topic."

"What? I am merely curious, deary. Oh, I did not expect you to actually contact the great warlock himself. The last thing I heard was that you tried to kill him with a stake through his chest. Now how did murder attempts turn into a bonding reminiscence?"

"Yes, well, he had it coming, and it felt satisfying to know he suffered from a taste of his own medicine." Elise wickedly smiled.

Oh right. Alastair did previously try to drain Elise of her powers while idiotically not thinking of the consequences, such as Elise dying. Honestly, the two have an abnormal relationship.