Blood Red (2)

Chapter 21

All was going according to plan. Peter and I were dressed; our hair and teeth brushed. I said goodbye to Killian. As I did, I could see the lustful look of murder in his eyes. He wanted to kill Peter himself, but that wasn't the plan. He knew that.

He let Peter, the murderer, be alone with me, his wife and the victim. He wheeled me into my car. Peter got in, and we took off. The whole while there Peter talked about this and that. I wasn't really listening.

We arrived, and Regina greeted us with swollen, red eyes. "I'm glad you two could make it," she said, her voice a tad hoarse.

"We're glad to be here," Peter replied coldly.

"I'm really sorry about your mother."

She laughed unevenly. "Let's not talk about that. I want us to have a good night." Regina guided us to the living room where there was a plate of apple pies and a pitcher of tea.

Peter chuckled. "How...ironic..."

"Peter," I growled, elbowing him. He pushed me to the couch, then sat next to me.

"Hey, uh, I'm going to go finish what I was cooking." Regina firmly eyes me. I returned the gaze.

"That's fine with me," Peter bit, his voice dripping with hate.

When she left I whispered, "Are you alright Peter?"

"Not really."

"Why not?"

He was quiet for a moment. "Well...I...I'm not used to...this..."

I laughed nervously. "Used to what?"

"I'm not used to the machines, the towns, Regina being good...you being engaged...to a pirate. I don't know what to do." He quickly changed the subject. "How did you meet him anyway?"

My throat tightened. Did he really know? Could I lie to him? If he knew it was Cora...wait...

Cora and Peter were working together against me... Cora used to work with Killian...they both wanted revenge against me...against us.

He already knows...

"It's a long story," I fibbed.

"I have time." He fiddled with the buttons on his coat, his scars showing clearing against the lamp's light.

I let out a long sigh. "He was given plans to kidnap me for someone, so he came into my window one night. When he actually saw me, he fell in love and realized he couldn't hurt me. Along the way there were a few problems, but all in all...he made me feel human again."

"What a coincidence."

My eyebrows furrowed. "What is?"

"Nothing," he hummed and crossed his legs.

"Are you sure? You seem like you want to say something."

His eyes narrowed. "I guess I do want to...come clean."

"About what," I pushed leaning forward.

Peter looked at me the way Anakin did just before he killed Padmé. His brown eyes dark and evil. His face was scared badly, highlighting his dark thoughts.

"I..." He paused to shake his head. "I met someone. I told her my story, and she listened. She told me she had had similar experiences...her own daughter hated her deeply. I told her about you and Killian and about your sin. She understood me...she wanted to help.

She was betrayed by her last partner, who fell in love with the victim he was supposed to kidnap. We both had grudges against the pirate and his wolf. She promised me my revenge.

I thought I had killed you when I shot you from the window...but finally...here we are...alone."

I gaped at him. "Fine," I hissed. "Then let's settle this." My hands shook.

His fingers found my throat, throwing me onto the ground. The pads pressed into my flesh, bruising it. I couldn't breathe. I scratched him in attempts to get him off, and my cloak, then reach the moon's light. Peter saw my struggle.

"Oh no you don't." His fist collided with my jaw. I threw him off. He hit the wall as I took of my hood. He wiped the blood forming at his mouth.

Peter's hand reached for the first thing it touched, an antique lamp. It was dark blue, made of china, and had flowers with thorns in them. He chuckled it close to me. It smashed against the wall, barley missing my head. "WHY CAN'T YOU JUST DIE ALREADY!" He shrieked.

The crazy man's feet stormed across the carpet, cover in bits of sharp china. He held a silver blade. Once he got close enough, he began swinging. He missed with the first two slices, then cut my arm. I backed away, holding my painted skin. He smiled devilishly, and the blade flew for me again.

It got my palm, leaving a single drop of blood to run down and drop into the carpet. I picked the knife and jumped at his body so fast, he didn't see it coming. The back of the knife his temple, knocking him out of consciousness.

Regina burst in, her mouth open. "I'm sorry I'm late..." She examined the room. "I see Peter's unconscious." I nodded, out of breath. "Are you hurt?"

"Not badly."

We both looked at Peter. "You said you'd be the one to do it...are you going to chicken out?"

I glared at her. "I...I don't think I can."

"What do you mean!? You've gotten this far...plus...he tried to kill you!"

"I know...but once upon a time...Peter and I were in love...I deserve my fate and his revenge," I chocked.

"Well I don't agree. I'll do it if you want." She rested her hands on his chest, I didn't move.

"Wait," I said.

"What?"

"I'll do it."

"We're running out of time Ruby...make up your mind."

"I'll do it," I repeated.

Regina opened the curtains with a few flicks of her wrist. My eyes burned the same time that Peter's eyelids met mine. Tears ran down my cheek.

My teeth, nails, and spine extended...it was a pain I was used to by now. My ears rose. I could no longer stand on my two feet. I stood taller than Peter, who flared with the hatred of a thousand men.

It was death's dance, going back in fourth. Swinging, slicing, sliding, twisting. Both of us covered in blood.

Peter's form began to shutter and fade. Regina had sensed what I was trying to hide, I still couldn't do it. She had his shirt balled in her fists. Peter was disappearing.

"Ruby," he breathed.

In my human form again, I murmured, "I am a monster in flesh, but never in heart."

"Just remember...Captain Hook was once a monster in heart...and you could never leave him..."