Crescent (Old Version)

+ Part 2 +

a beast lurking beneath the surface.

"Lord Shawcross. He has requested your presence at dinner." 

My gut sank. I had a feeling we were no where near home anymore. "Where are we?"

"He will answer all of your questions. I know you're scared..." she spoke gingerly. "You're safe." I had a feeling our ideas of safe were far different. But, she stepped aside and motioned outside the corridor. I stepped past her and found that two new guards had been posted outside the door, blocking escape. I hadn't even heard them. "Follow me." She began walking in the opposite direction that we came towards a winding stone staircase at the end of the hall. 

We climbed three flights of steps before veering off onto a hallway with grand ruby-colored carpeting. Six doors lined either side of the corridor. She opened the third door on the left and motioned me inside. Her fingers snapped and wax candles flickered to life along the walls and lit the room.

I stood in awe. Magic. Something I'd only heard about in stories.

There was a fireplace in the corner with a plush sofa and a coffee table circling it. The ceiling was covered in golden runes of constellations that gleamed in the firelight, and blue hued paintings decorated the walls. A simple bed was centered on the furthest wall from the door, and an armoire sat to its diagonal.

Simple. Cozy, something I might have chosen for myself in different circumstances.

"There's a warm bath ready for you and... fresh clothing. Dinner will be ready in an hour and..." She seemed embarrassed to say: "The guards will be outside if you need them." Moira turned to leave, and something inside me cracked.

"Wait!" I called and she raised a brow at me as she stood in the doorway. "Moira... my family... do- do you know if they're safe? Where-"

Something like pity flickered in her eyes, but her gaze fell and she folded her hands in front of her. "He will- will be expecting you," she bowed once again and promptly shut the door.

I immediately set towards the window and threw back the curtains to reveal the snowy landscape outside. We were only three stories up, but the entire castle looked like it was carved into the edge of a mountain. There was no getting out of this room- not if I wanted to leave with my life. And, if I had any chance of getting out, I needed to wash up, change into warmer clothes, and plan the safest route out.

A door opposite the bed revealed that a steaming bath had indeed been prepared in the clawfoot tub set into the middle of the room. Along the marble sink and counter within, there was a red box with a golden bow and a folded note of parchment on top. Written in pristine script:

Welcome to White Stag. I look forward to dinner.

-C

Inside was a feminine pink dress made almost entirely of tulle. It was likely to have a ridiculous full bottom and a tight-laced bodice. There was no way in hell I was wearing that.

I searched the wardrobe back in the bedroom and found that almost everything was my size. The thought that my being here was planned only furthered that there HAD to be something going on. I found some pants, a thick beige sweater, and the most modest undergarments I could find in the forest full of skimpy lacy things.

The warm bath was welcome. Water worked the tension out of my muscles, and it quickly reddened as my blood washed off. The smell of smoke still tainted my nostrils. The screams still rang in my ears. 

I couldn't let myself think about what happened. The moment I did, I knew I'd fall apart. So, I scrubbed and did my best to ignore the bruises decorating my chest from the gunshot. Even fast healing wouldn't fix that for a couple of days.

I had thirty minutes left over to search the room before the two guards knocked and waited outside the room for me. I itched to know exactly who'd brought me here.

They walked me back down the hall, down the stairs, and back to the front of the castle, which was now lit to reveal two roaring fireplaces on either side of the grand hall. Across the stretch of it, there was a table fit for a hundred people. Only two places were set at the end closest to the leftmost fireplace. One was occupied by a man sitting in a high-back chair.

When he saw me, he stood, straightened his clean-cut tunic, and held a hand out as I neared, the guards in tow. His glowing green eyes are what caught me first. The green eyes, the dirty blond hair, and an all-white smile that in itself made me sick.

"I thought pink would rather suit you," he said by way of greeting, and I bit my tongue to keep from snarling. 

The dress.

"Who are you?" I charged instead, and he dropped his hand when I didn't take it. But, he broke out into a damn smile again.

"Forgive me, I haven't even introduced myself," he bowed in a mocking attempt of welcome and opened an arm. "I'm Ceth Shawcross. Welcome to White Stag Estate." I stared at him. I must have blinked a couple of times as I wondered just how fast I could sprint towards those cathedral doors. 

He was like me; he'd catch me in an instant. And, I was smart enough to know that miles and miles of ever-white forest stood between me and sweet escape. 

I'd never make it. 

He must've mistaken my silence for something else entirely. He continued, his voice charming. "Don't worry, Love. There's no need for further formalities. I know exactly who and WHAT you are, Brenna James."

I halted in place, and my instincts told me only one thing: Run.