Prince of Darkness

Chapter 8

Racing out of the castle doors, Rose darted into the stables and climbed onto Midnight. Flicking the stallion's reins, Belle led him out of the stables at a gallop. She did not look behind her. There was no need to. It would only make her guilt rise.

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It was only when they were deep into the forest that she slowed the horse's pace. Rose looked around her, attempting to find some way back to her father's cottage. But the woods were a maze. There was no way to tell the trees apart and she had no idea which direction to go.

If only she hadn't ask Adam that question.

She knew she shouldn't have asked. Rose had already formed an idea of how long she would have been staying, for the werewolf had made the fact clear. But if I hadn't have said that he wouldn't have let me go. However, another question soon formed in her mind. Did she really even want to go? Rose dismissed it quickly. Of course she wanted to leave...her father was getting sicker...and her and Robert's wedding was fast approaching.

All of a sudden, a loud and feral growl came from behind her. The psychic stilled. She whirled around, her heart thumping fast.

A werewolf stood behind her. But it didn't look anything like the ones she had seen. It stood on its hind legs and was taller than an adult human man, with grey fur all over its body and a wolf head and ears. This was accompanied by a wolf tail and long black claws on its hands. It was a feral werewolf...and its glowing golden eyes were focused on her.

Rose gasped at the sight, and began trembling as three more appeared from behind the first. She froze for a moment, stunned at the sight of them. They were so...so terrifying.

Bringing herself from her dazed state, she heard Midnight whinny in fright and strike the ground with his hooves. The horse bolted away, Rose regaining control of him shortly afterwards, gripping the reins so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

The growls and snarls of the werewolves seemed to echo in her ears, competing with the sound of her own blood pumping through her veins. She heard the creatures' claws scrape on the ground as they ran after her.

Rose slammed her eyes shut to shield them from the cold wind. Her breaths were fast and visible, coming out of her mouth in small streams of white vapour. She just had to get to the village. Hopefully they wouldn't follow her after that.

All of a sudden, a fireball appeared behind her. The young woman looked behind her, and saw a blur dart out of the darkness and appear before the werewolves. Rose watched as the figure spread his arms, causing fire to shoot from his hands and burn up from the ground on either side of him. The werewolves yelped and moved back, fearful of the fire.

Rose smiled slightly. There was only one person she knew who could do that.

Vincent glanced behind him. "Run Rose!" he yelled.

Her smile faded and she called, slowing Midnight down, "What about you?"

"I can take care of these mutts!" he called back.

Rose nodded and Midnight galloped off, carrying the woman. She sighed, "Now...how do you think we can get to the cottage from here?"

The horse instantly began walking in one direction, giving a small snort. The young woman patted his neck with a soft giggle, "I wouldn't be surprised if you could understand me. Comparing it to what I've been through so far, that actually wouldn't be so weird."

As they continued towards her father's cottage, Rose couldn't help but wonder about Adam. She had let the wrong words slip in their argument, causing him to release her although it pained him. He'd been thinking of her before himself.