The following is a story that I began writing for my fairy tale shorts collection. something closer to the traditional Cupid and Psyche tale as opposed to the role-reversed story I have on ice at the moment. but, it grew fast and far beyond what I consider a short so I left it collecting dust for months while I tried to figure out what I wanted to do with it. the problem is, I still DON'T know what I want to do.

The options are:

1. scrap it.

2. keep it and keep going somehow?

3. Put it up for adoption and by that I mean, give it to my friend, DRAGONDAVE45 the only writer I trust with Christina.

Anyway, I'm posting what I have so you may all read it and maybe enjoy it.

...

Shadowed Secrets

"You simply can't be serious!" Radu stood from his chair with a snarl.

"But I am," Stoker smirked, "You have a debt to pay Radu and Regina vants Christina's hand in marriage to her son, so it shall be done"

"Noo," Christina's eyes welled with tears.

"You should be pleased, young lady," Stoker stood to leave, "as I understand it your parents have had trouble securing a marriage for you, problem solved"

The snobbish vampire took his leave cackling like a madman.

"Butterfly..." Alissa began.

But Christina bolted from the room, feeling suffocated, out the back door she flew like mad toward the corner garden where no one would bother her.

What have I done? Who have I upset to deserve such a curse as this? Christina asked her reflection in the pond.

Late to the tale? Oh no, we must go back to the beginning.

…...

This was a time very long ago when monsters had yet to be united but Fate you see has a funny way of working these things out. A very funny way indeed.

Christina Rose Shadowfae Dracula lived in a large manor in a very important vampire town. As important as this town was it had the misfortune of being right next to the Dark Woods so named for it was the very last barrier between the vampires and the werewolf country which rested on the other side of a large white-capped mountain as it was the werewolves did consider the woods to be their territory so the town had a very large stone wall built. One imbued with all manner of protective enchantments so that their wild neighbors could never enter.

Although Christina's parents, the vampire lord Radu and his wife the dark fairy Queen Alissa were openly against the prejudices that were passed down from mother to child they were the minority as Prime Minister Stoker-who governed the nation until their true queen could be found-refused to hear reason from the pair, silencing their every attempt.

Our story truly starts on a day like any other.

Christina hid herself away in the back corner garden which was flush against the wall. Her knees tucked under her the hybrid rested against the wall with a large leather-bound book in her hands.

"Butterfly, why don't you go out for a bit?" Alissa had suggested earlier that morning.

"No thank you, Mom"

"Oh right...your admirers"

"Lust-filled muscle heads," Christina corrected before grabbing her book and heading for the garden the cape-like sleeves of her lilac gown fluttering behind her.

Perhaps it was because she was a hybrid, while all the other girls were pure blood vampires, conventionally pretty but the young-and more disgustingly older men-had proclaimed Christina to be the most beautiful girl in town or anywhere for that matter. Glancing at her reflection in the pond beside her she really couldn't see what all the fuss was about, she was pale-skinned, rosy-cheeked, red-lipped with a heart-shaped face and doe-like eyes. They were brown like her father's a deep chocolate color flecked with purple, red, and occasionally gold. Her hair which she wore in a long fishtail braid down her back was also brown changing color depending on the light. Surely a blonde, a redhead, or a raven-haired girl were prettier than she? Wasn't that supposed to be the case?

Then there were the features that set her apart from the other young ladies. First were her smoky crystal-colored wings which cast prisms when open, her fangs which were small, only visible when she smiled but her horns, and large dark-colored horns which swept back from her head were what most people noticed right away.

Punching the surface of the pond, Christina turned back to her book.

No one cared if she was intelligent. No one cared that she was well-versed in magic, and could bake or play the piano. They didn't care that she sang or seemed to befriend just about every animal she met. Her sketches went unnoticed, her well-kept flower boxes invisible.

She was beautiful.

That was all that mattered.

Once this had made her so angry that she'd tried to harm herself but Radu had wandered into the kitchen, wrenching the butchers' knife from her grasp before she could cut open her face.

"I DON'T WANT TO BE BEAUTIFUL ANYMORE!" she'd screamed as he pinned her arms behind her back, holding her in a tight bear hug until she'd cried herself to sleep.

Since that day all potentially harmful objects had been locked away from Christina, and iron padlocks on the doors to prevent all further attempts at disfiguration. So the hybrid simply became a recluse who refused to leave the manor grounds, never going beyond the front gate.

As you've surely guessed this did nothing to dissuade her admirers who sent her letters and gifts gathering at the gate while pleading with her to emerge, showering her with compliments that were akin to breaking glass. Unpleasant, unwanted, unwarranted. The loudest most troublesome voice was that of Drew Easton who was prone to brawling with anyone who tried to woo Christina for as Drew saw it she was already his. Not his friend, not a potential wife-not in the traditional sense-but as his property, his right.

Which brings us back to after Stoker left.

Drew and his mother arrived minutes later, begrudgingly shown inside by the house staff. Only to receive a frosty reception in the parlor.

"I tried to settle this vithout Stoker, Radu," Regina smirked, "But you vouldn't listen"

"Where is my fiance hiding?" Drew looked around, "Bring her!"

"You have no right to order us about in our home," Alissa snarled, eyes flipping to draconian slits, clutching her wand tightly.

"I'll find her myself then" Drew declared heading from the parlor.

Meanwhile, Christina curled into a ball and tried her best to disappear. She heard their voices but as long as she stayed in her garden corner he couldn't lay a hand on her. She was so wrapped up in camouflaging herself that she didn't notice how the trees outside the wall trembled without wind.

Someone was watching.

…...

"You dragged us over the mountain to stare at a vampire, cousin?!" Howleen whispered harshly, clutching desperately at the thick trunk of the tree.

"She's a hybrid," Shaggy deadpanned.

Howleen nearly lost her footing, she really hadn't looked at the girl they were watching.

"Like you," Clawdeen observed, "What are the odds?"

"I still don't understand why you're risking our necks here,.."

"She's upset," Shaggy cut Clawd off, "Again"

The four werewolves craned their necks for a closer look.

"Again?" his cousins echoed.

"Don't tell me you've-"

"Like, I did months ago"

"How? Why? What were you-"

"I heard her singing one night then I like, climbed up here and saw her-"

"The rest is history," Clawd guessed.

"This is crazy!" Howleen threw her hands up only to shake and grab ahold of her tree once more, "You couldn't have really imprinted on her"

But Shaggy jumped to the next closest tree, careful to conceal himself in the shadows.

"You know I feel really creepy just watching her," Clawd declared, landing next to Shaggy, "Do you even know her name?"

"Christina"

"And you've never tried talking to her?"

"she'd like, run away," Shaggy's ears drooped, "I don't want to frighten her"

"How do you know she'd-"

"Ah, there you are, Princess"

Instantly Shaggy scowled, poised to attack, "Drew," he growled venomously. If Clawdeen and Clawd hadn't seized him by the shoulders he might have tried jumping the wall.

"Who's he?" Howleen had finally tiptoed over, one tree behind her older cousins.

"Trouble"

…...

Christina remained curled in a ball, her tear-stained face tucked into her arm.

"Go away you vile monster"

"Now, now," Drew stopped just short of the barrier, if he'd made contact it would have thrown him clear across town, "Is that anyway to talk to your future husband?"

"I said go away"

"I know you said it but I don't have to listen," Drew smirked, arms crossed over his chest, "Now why don't you stop sulking and come inside? There's a wedding to plan"

"No"

"I'll simply stay here until you come out of the corner"

"That's not happening"

(Shaggy dearly hoped that it wouldn't)

But in what is perhaps the worst timing of any living thing. Christina's first pet, the one she'd rescued from the cruel hands of children came sauntering outside. Drew remembered that cat, he'd been a scrawny, flea-bitten thing now he was grown into a beautiful long-haired orange tabby with a bit of a belly. Because Christina wouldn't look his way she was unaware of the animals' arrival something Drew used to his advantage, seizing the cat roughly by the throat which caused it to let out a strangled cry.

"Ace!" Christina sat up, "Put my cat down!"

"I'll give him to you"

"I said put him down," Christina stood, nearing the barrier.

"No, I think he'd make a nice hat or maybe a scarf," Drew squeezed tighter, "Wouldn't you like that, Princess? A scarf to keep your pretty neck warm in winter?"

(Shaggy bit his tongue so hard he tasted blood)

Drew had Christina right where he wanted her. Fearing for her feline she leaped from the garden corner, wrenching her precious baby away from the red-eyed beast who'd nearly strangled him.

Ace was so scared that he struggled out of Christina's grip, racing back toward the manor.

"Now was that so hard?" Drew roughly grabbed her by the chin, forcefully kissing her.

"Let go of me"

"I know you don't think much of me now but you'll come to love me with time"

…...

"THEY'RE GOING TO MARRY HER OFF TO THAT ABUSIVE VILE-"

The wolf cousins were far enough into the woods that they wouldn't be heard. Clawd, Clawdeen, and Howleen watched with concern as Shaggy relentlessly paced their makeshift campsite, grinding his teeth. They were worried for him. After Drew had forced Christina inside they'd hurried to the nearest window to eavesdrop learning of the prime minister's orders for Christina to be married to Drew in no less than two months' time.

"What do you expect to do, Shaggy?" Howleen wanted to know.

"Howleen!" Clawdeen scolded swatting her sister on the arm, "This is no laughing matter"

"Yeah, Sis," Clawd whispered, "You don't want him to die do you?"

"Die?" Howleen repeated in shock.

"Someone hasn't paid attention in school," Clawdeen reprimanded, "A wolf separated from their destined mate always dies, it's just a matter of time, so we've got to do something"

"No," Shaggy took a deep breath, raking his claws through his hair, "I do"

"Shaggy be reasonable-" Clawdeen began.

"You be reasonable, Clawdeen," Shaggy gently cut her off, "Do you like, know what the entire nation would do to me if something happened to the Alpha on my watch?"

"Then what are you going to do? How do you expect to get over that wall?"

"Magic, like, what else?"

"Shaggy-"

"Trust me"

…...

A month later Christina was pacing around her bedroom. The sun was just setting outside, the pretty sight doing nothing to calm her as downstairs her parents were begrudgingly welcoming guests to the forced engagement party. She was supposed to be getting ready for it, there was a plum-colored silk gown hanging from her wardrobe door. A pretty color perhaps but nothing she'd choose for herself. The gown was too low cut, the skirt too short. Drew's way of gloating no doubt. Yanking it from the hanger, Christina tossed it into her blazing fireplace without a second glance choosing for herself instead an empire-waisted gown with a long flowing skirt and high neckline. Sitting at her vanity, she fiddled with her braid, undoing and redoing it trying to buy all the time possible.

"Princess," Drew entered her room without knocking, "Our guests are waiting...what are you wearing?"

"Do NOT," Christina stood seething, "Enter my room without permission!"

Black thorns pushed him out, barricading the doorway. With a huff, Christina shook her hair out. Pinning it back from her face before disappearing in a burst of flame, happily-as happy as she could be that is-reappearing in between her parents right as Drew thundered down the stairs.

Heedless of her parents standing on either side, Drew grabbed her roughly by the arm almost causing her to fall.

"What are you wearing?" he repeated none too kindly, "Where is the dress I gave you"

"The fireplace"

Radu pulled Christina back, stepping in front of her, "You vill treat my daughter vith respect, Drew"

"You aren't married to her yet," Alissa added, guiding the hybrid into the dining room.

Still, Christina was made to sit beside Drew at the head of the table where all the guests could see them, offer their congratulations, and ogle Christina. As the first course was being served the room went dark. Not just dark but pitch black as if the climbing moon was nonexistent.

"What kind of joke is this?" Drew fumbled to grab Christina.

The hybrid toppled from her chair, something was coming and she couldn't help but feel it was because of her. Hurriedly, she made her way under the table, only able to find it because she knew the thick fabric of the tablecloth. Everyone else was seemingly frozen in their seats if they were scared no one let on. Any flame Alissa tried to ignite was swallowed by the darkness, she could feel the heat in her palms but it didn't affect their surroundings.

"I've come for Christina" the voice reverberated not only throughout the room but also in the minds of everyone present.

Under the table, Christina wrapped her arms tightly around herself, contemplating if she could run for it.

…...

Shaggy could see just fine. Could see that Drew was on the verge of wetting himself while his mother slept just as every other guest who wouldn't be waking without the antidote. Radu was on guard while Alissa was searching for Christina.

Christina was under the table.

In his mad rush to terrify Drew, he'd neglected that it might also scare Christina. But now there was no going back.

"Vhat do you vant with my daughter?" Radu demanded.

Shaggy didn't answer, his sole concern was Christina who was slowly inching her way out from under the table. Half an inch to the left and she'd bump into him.

"I said vhat-" Radu faltered, catching Alissa who stumbled.

"I think it's just a cruel joke," Alissa told him, "I'm trying to undo whatever spell this is"

Good, let them think that. Yes, it might have been crueler in the long run but for here and now it made his rescue easier.

"Hurry up and do it then!" Drew trembled.

Christina was getting to her feet.

…...

If I can make it to the door perhaps I can escape whatever this is Christina decided, feeling very much like a fawn trying to get to its feet for the first time. It was so unnaturally dark, disorienting but she was determined. They'd been sat at the head of the dining room table which was opposite from the entrance to the room from there it was a right into the hall then a straight path to the foyer and out the door. Careful to remain quiet Christina gathered her skirts, soundlessly sprinting, relying solely on her knowledge of the manor's layout.

She made it down the hall only to trip in the foyer, forgetting that furniture had been moved around. But she was caught before she hit the ground.

"Shh"

"Who-"

"I'm going to get you out of here, okay?" she was lifted from the ground.

Christina scared out of her wits couldn't bring herself to even speak.

"CHRISTINA!" her mother was yelling from the dining room, "Where'd you go, Butterfly?"

She wanted to respond but Christina was suddenly very sleepy, eyes drifting closed she was sent hurtling to dreamland.

…...

Was it wise to race through the forest and painfully magic himself over the mountain? No, but Shaggy didn't care. Over the mountain, Christina was safe from Drew that was all that mattered. Now, safely back home in the manor he'd inherited from his parents, Shaggy could breathe.

"You're insane!"

"Hello, Clawdeen," he greeted his cousin, "It's like, nice to see you"

"Do I wanna know how?"

"It's a very long story"

"Is this why you needed my help, urgently?"

"Like, I was hoping you could get her into something more comfortable?"

"She's out cold"

"She's also a lady and I was like, raised to be respectful"

"Wouldn't it have been respectful to have a conversation with her first?"

"There like, wasn't any time, Clawdeen," Shaggy lay Christina on the bed, pushing up the sleeve of her dress, "See?"

Christina's arm was bruised in places, and burnt in others.

"What happened?"

"Drew happened because the marriage was like, an order he wasn't like, scared of her parents or her powers anymore"

"He's-"

"Wicked?"

"That's one word for it"

"Okay, shoo, I'll help"

…...

Christina's head felt like it was stuffed with cotton, her eyes were lead but she forced them open anyway.

What happened?

Sunlight filtered through the drapes of the large windows casting the room in a cozy orange glow while the sun rose. Directly above her head, the ceiling was painted with the phases of the moon in rich detail surrounded by stars which trickled down from the ceiling and onto the walls. Sitting up caused the blanket to fall away. Her party dress had been replaced by a long nightdress, all her recent injuries were wrapped,

Did I really get hurt that often?

Her right arm was bandaged from shoulder to elbow, and her left wrist and both ankles were also wrapped. Iron burns didn't heal easily, not to mention they left hideous scars. Drew had taken to wearing iron jewelry, the metal sewn into his clothing, always in his pockets. The intent to harm clear. There was nothing she nor her parents could do to stop him though they tried fervently. Realizing for the first time that she was away from him, far, far, far away evidenced by the fact the mountains were on the opposite side out the window Christina let the weight of everything finally crash down on her. She bawled, sobs wracking her body, coming from the very depths of her soul. She had never, not once in her seventeen and a half years cried this way.

"It's okay, Christina, you're safe here"

Startled, the hybrid looked around, tears trickling down her face still.