Footsteps fell in the dark hallway, echoing through the expanse of shadows. A single lamp was lit at the end, trying in vain to penetrate the oppressive darkness. The footsteps came closer and closer to the pool of light, the sound of heels clicking on the stone was now clear; the approaching figure was female. Finally she entered the pool of light.
Her hair was tied back in an intricate bundle of braids and knots, framing a heart-shaped face of ivory. The black and silver hair was long, even tied and knotted it reached her waist. Her eyes were cold, still pools of silver. She wasn't old, despite the silver streaked hair; that was simply her hair color of choice.
Her build was solid, the build of a warrior. She wore a long black duster coat made from leather over a skin tight, long sleeve leather vest and long leggings, both black as well. Her thigh-high boots were also black leather to complete the ensemble. The heels of the boots were wedges, but the stiletto sound came from the metal caps. Though nothing about the woman was obviously dangerous, her aura and sense of presence spoke volumes.
Concealed by the coat was a katana sheathed in black with a golden dragon on the hilt; carrying the weapon was merely a formality, for killing without carrying the weapon was suspicious. If she was armed when she killed, it was assumed she used her weapon to kill, not her other deadly attributes. Too many of her kin had made the mistake of killing without a decent weapon nearby, and too many had died from that foolishness. Too many wolves were dead.
A small breeze stirred the woman's long coat and hair, causing her to cast a sharp glance behind her. Her cold eyes held the darkness in a trance, daring the shadows to distract her again. She brushed the offended hairs behind her ears, revealing the piercing on the tops and bottoms of her ears. The two top holes connected to the bottom hole on each ear with a slender piece of gold chain attached to small gold studs, a style long lost to the present world.
She sighed with impatience and returned her gaze to the door, which was hidden from human view but not the wolves'. She pressed a small stone next to the door, and the inner hinges opened the door enough to let her slip her fingers within and open the small door. The room beyond was small, but lit by a warm glow.
Devoid of furniture but for a small trapdoor on the floor, the room did not seem important. The woman quickly moved to the trapdoor, and grabbing the handle, pulled the door open. Her revealed hands were gloved in black with the fingers cut off to allow her fingers to work unhindered by the leather.
She effortlessly lifted the door and, with a last glance at the darkening hallway behind her, jumped into the gaping hole towards more darkness and silence. Her black coat slipped past the edge, and the trapdoor fell, cutting off all remaining light with a muffled thunk.