The Lady in Red
A/N: Ah, what madness is this? Valentine day madness! So, I figured that cheesy, lovey-dovey one-shots would be developed all over the web, why not write something… different. Worth a shot, eh? To summarize, think of Dracula, the wolf man and red riding hood mixed all in one. Hope you enjoy!
-Bewarexthexnight-
The bitter night began to grow throughout the sky, tainting the sunset orange with deep indigo and ebony. A cold wind whisked through the land as the young woman readjusted the straps on her hooded cape, her mind running away with the fading dusk as it disappeared beyond the horizon outside her window. Dimming light cast upon her flowing cerise hair, highlighting her eyes that twinkled like emeralds with their deep color. Her name was Guinevere, informally called Gwen among her closest friends. She is the second daughter of a rich landlord, barely matured to her 16th year. Her purpose was simple; ensure the deal between her father and a nearby count, then be married off to a wealthy, aging nobleman for more money. Rather tragic but the true way of the rich elite. Traveling several hundred miles, the girl was not far from her destination, the nearby fortress of Count Ronaldo, the count in question. For now, she was resting at a tavern in a village close to the castle.
Looking at her reflection standing behind the mirror's flat surface, Gwen sighed in a drained manner. She was dressed in a light blue dress with a black bodice, the pale blue allowing the blood red hooded cape to flash boldly on her developed body. Even with her sensual body, crimson silk hair and tempting emerald eyes, Gwen never considered her-self beautiful; she hated her appearance with all her will. No matter what she wore she always looked attractive, this fact of life was unnerving for her. So she mostly was quiet, something she despised even more, and covered her body with the hood. The hood was a birthday present from her hand servant, Lillian, her secret best friend.
She was so exhausted from the journey; the physical and mental struggle was not hers to bear or any girl for that matter. The girl wished her mother had delivered a boy to do these ridiculous travels but her elder sister was away courting so it left her.
Turning away from the painful image she grabbed a thin bound novel on top of her packed belongings, exiting her room and moving to the open bar dining room. The village was small but filled with simple people with a simple lifestyle that she envied. This particular hall was run by the Magnuson's; a Nordic family from the nearby 'Old Country'. They're simple, honest, 'hardworking' villagers like everyone else. Since the tavern was mostly empty, she chose to catch up on her reading. Picking a quiet chair by the fireplace for the best lighting, Gwen sat and began to read the novel one of her favorites, a Victorian gothic style with a smidge of romance and mystery. Her eyes had just passed a fight scene when she heard thunder clap outside, startling her a bit. It was followed by three pounds on the door which the son, Gunther, rushed to answer the impatient visitor.
After opening the thick, timber door a man stepped inside, dripping with rainwater that puddled at his feet. His build was lean but muscular; the frame dressed in simple cloth clothing that showed signs of struggle within the small rips and tears in the fabric. His face was chiseled with hardened features but still seemed shadowed in mystery. His presence was so demanding that her eyes flickered from the torn and faded yellowing pages hovering in front of her face to the sides of her vision to take him in for herself.
"It's quite a storm out there." He said huskily as he stepped inside, water dripping as he removed his cloak.
Gunther took it, smiling fondly at the man whom he must have known, "Yeah, been quite a lot of those lately. Feel free to dry yourself off and I'll get you a drink."
The man nodded, before looking over toward the fire's general direction. The scarlet girl quickly diverted her attention back to her book, picking up at a random word, but kept her ears open.
The once normal talk turned to a soft whisper, but not inaudible enough for her to make out.
"Who is she?"
"Passenger, dressed in gold, headed up to the Count's fortress."
"Count Ronaldo?"
"Yes."
The blonde teen walked away after that, leaving the stranger alone in the room with her. Gwen felt a muted gulp slide down her throat, as the man took a seat across from her. He kept his gaze locked on the fire but she could see his hands fidgeting, his patience breaking down.
What is up with this guy? Gwen thought, Well, it would be rude to not say anything…
"Is it really that bad out there?" She looked up from her novel, staring straight into eyes of the clearest blue she had ever seen. Their so… handsome…
"Yes, it doesn't look like it will let up anytime soon." He replied; his voice was deep, almost animalistic as he looked at her, his eyes taking her in.
"That's such a shame; I was hoping to leave tonight."
"A young lady like your-self shouldn't be traveling at night," he warned, a flash bolted in his eyes quickly and vanished before she could read it, "It's dangerous in these woods."
"How would you know?" She questioned back, her tone was a mix of annoyance and curiosity.
His eyes blinked, sliding his hood back to reveal a metal helmet, she knew that only rugged hunters wore helmets, "I happen to live there."
She tried to hide her surprise but failed, her crimson lips parting in wonder at the distinct accessory, it seemed to fit him so well, but it blocked the view of his hair- that is if he had any.
"Would you be traveling alone?" He asked casually, obviously noticing her staring.
She snapped out of it, feeling her face heat up with cerise as she looked down. "No, I've hired a guide to help me through the forest."
Another twitch and now the man looked enraged, it offset her actually, "Guides can NOT be trusted, their noting but greedy scoundrels!" His level rose to yelling as Gwen jumped in her seat, causing the book to tumble forward and onto the floor. Taking notice of the fallen object, the hunter gathered himself, "I'm sorry, let me get that."
"Uh… thank you." The confused woman said as he returned her book. Another figure entered the room, a slender built with tanner skin and spikey brown-blonde hair. His dark brown eyes lit up as he noticed the two relatively close be the fire, a suggestive smile growing on his face.
"Ms. Axle, the storm has stopped. If you wish to be at the fortress by dawn, we'd best leave now."
"Oh," Gwen addressed the figure, quickly standing from her chair, "Thank you, Lance. My belongings are in my room."
He smirked and headed down a corridor that led to the rented rooms. The hunter stood, spinning the girl around to face him, violently yanking her arm.
"That is your guide? Lance Blackstone- that bastard is your guide?"
Gwen pushed the aggravated man off her arm, trying to manage her rising anger. "For your information, he is! What is your problem?"
Saying nothing at first, the man looked her over once more before jerking her toward him, catching the woman by surprise. "That man is a greedy murderer; I'd watch your back." The hunter narrowed his blue eyes into her angry jade orbs, "DON'T say I didn't warn you." He released her with a huff before storming away to the back door, slamming it loudly and making the room shake.
Someone had way too much to drink. He did a good job hiding it though. Gwen brushed herself off, feeling self-conscious where that crazed weirdo touched her. She was about to turn towards her room when she heard commotion join on outside the now silent door. Curiosity winning over her temper, the redhead crept closer and listened through the cedar doorway.
"Kick, calm down! You'll wake half the village!" Isn't that Gunther, the son? Yes-yes it is.
Another familiar and still flared voice answered back, "Dammit Gunth, I can't help it! The girl is gonna get it coming to her and she won't listen to reason." So his name is Kick, huh? Odd but appropriate…
"That might be the case but she's not going to consider you if you keep yelling in her face!"
"Hmph…" Gwen felt a smile crawl up her face. Well said Gunther, you tell him!
"Look, I know Lance has a bad past, but even criminals deserve a fair chance for forgiveness. Plus he managed to be one of the few to survive… you know…" Wait, Lance is a-
"Don't remind me."
"So, what are you gonna do?"
Gwen listened as footsteps thudded away in the distance, away from the tavern. The hunter, newly dubbed Kick, spoke icily-
"You'll hear about it."
Gwen pushed away from the door, a sick, twisted feeling entering her abdomen as she turned to look into the fire. Somehow the natural feminine instinct buried inside of her soul trembled at what the future held as the fire flickered and flamed on.
-Bewarexthexnight-
Ugh, why must it be so cold! The girl tightened her grip on the reigns of her pale gray horse, named Sage. She had not anticipated that it would be so freezing during a night journey, Stupid Girl!
The trail they were trotting along was narrow and slicked with mud, her navigator Lance walking on foot, even though she offered to walk herself, he declined. The conversation between Kick and Gunther was still fresh in her mind, more specifically the final word of the deranged hunter.
What did he mean by that?
"Are you ok, my dear?" Lance's voice called her back to reality as she shook her head.
"Uh, yes, I'm sorry, it's just this cold."
"I hate to say this but I can't have you show up at the fortress frostbitten." He stopped the horse, "We'd best camp here to warm you up."
"Here, in the middle of the woods?" Gwen tried to stay calm but was failing miserably, her tone rising ever so slightly. "Are you sure this is safe?"
"Of course, I've done it before." The guide smiled but it didn't calm her as much as make her even more frantic than before. Lance managed to get a small fire going as Gwen sat on her thighs, curling into her blood red hood.
"There, isn't that better?" The man said innocently as he sat close to her, placing an arm around her shoulder. The woman bit her lip trying not to shiver under his touch and visibly show her fear.
"Uh, yes, I feel much better. Let's continue shall we?" Gwen rose to her feet and quickly moved for the tied up horse. Lance beat her to it, getting between them.
"No, no you're still pale, and you're shaking," He stepped closer, forcing her to back track, "You're not going anywhere."
Gwen made a slight gasp as her back came in rough contact with a tree. Her face was burning red now, matching her cloak with perfect accuracy. His arm rose up to pin her against the tree, staring at her with a mix of insanity and lust. Oh god…
"My, what full lips you have…" He leaned down, pressing his lips against hers. She tensed, forcing herself not to gag as he forced his tongue into her mouth. Kicking and shoving against him did nothing as he seemed to be made of steel, not bending to her assault at all. His hands trailed all over her body, undoing the black corset of her dress, the material falling to just covering her breast area. His digits were cold as they snaked down her exposed back, roughly caressing her buttocks.
Someone help me… p-please…
The near-victim forgot her thoughts as her attacker was jumped on by a shadowy figure. Still in shock, she watched helplessly as the thing mauled Lance, tearing his insides out. Blood and guts flew up as the creature growled viciously enjoying the harrowing screams erupting from its prey.
After several traumatizing moments, the man lie dead, his cavity fully dissected. Her emerald eyes widened as the monster stood on its hind legs, gazing pleasingly at its handy work. Looking up at the moon hovering in the blackened sky, it howled spooking the woman as she slowly tried to creep toward the horse, doing up her dress in the process. The horse began to move violently and the scarlet woman concluded the worst. She froze in mid-crawl as a shadow covered her own as she turned around, terrified to see the beast looking at her with its yellow eyes of danger. It raised its hand, embedded with large claws to swipe and she ducked away in time to see the bridal snapped away from the tree.
At once, the horse rose up trying to scare the new, wolf-like attacker. The creature reared back, giving the scarlet girl a chance to climb on and snap the controls. The horse then turned and ran down the trail; the fortress loomed in the distance as her only source of protection.
"Good horse, Sage." Gwen patted the mane as it broke into a run. A loud growl from behind them alerted her that they were being followed, the wolf in pursuit. He was running on all fours, his eyes narrowing against the darkness. The chase became closer and closer until the horse reached the steps of the fortress, launching on to the silver platform and then ran away. Gwen watched in horror as the horse fled, before turning to see the wolf running full throttle at her essence.
Getting up, she pounded on the door, "HELP, PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME!"
Looking back the wolf tried to jump for her but winced as he approached the stairs. The beast eyed her menacingly as he perked up his ears, hearing something off in the distance. Turning tail, he took off back to the mystery of the forest, leaving the girl frantic and quivering on the porch.
Gwen, so distraught by fear and panic, passed out; the moon the last thing she saw and her rapidly beating heart the last thing she heard.
-Bewarexthexnight-
So that's it! Torturous cliff hanger, I know. What will happen?
REVIEW and find out!
-Phoenix