Between A Rose And Its Thorns (ON HOLD)

A Horrific Night

Lucinda's point of view

The black eyes, his black eyes... something was in those eyes. I could see my own reflection in those eyes.

I flinch, his claws threatening to prick my clothing. I never have been this close to the beast, and with him being like this....

I gulp.

I don't know if I want to be. I take a step back, then another. I lift up my hands and grab his, slowly lowering them from me. I release his hands, and watch as they drop to his sides.

Why does he keep looking at me? I wonder. I take a step to the side. His eyes follow me. I take a step to the right, and again, his eyes follow me.

Okay, then...

I glance at the door behind him. Only a few feet away, ten tops. I only had to get past him. I look up at the beast, he seemed bigger in the room. Looking around now at the chests, and sacks, I could only assume it is some storage. Storages were known for their large rooms but low ceilings...

Perhaps I could use this to my advantage. I take a step to the side, then another, and another. The beast's black eyes follow me as I move around him. His tail flicks behind him, much like a cat.

I take a step to the door. His nose flared, his ears pinned back as he snarls at me. I tense up. He may have been a prince once, but right now, he is an animal. I take a step, he growls louder. A severely dangerous animal, who could very much be considered the top of the food chain. His hair rises, his snarl echoed through the room. A predator, that can attack with just one wrong move-

"Lucinda, get away from him!" I gasp and turn to the open door. Domain rushes inside, Isabelle coming in behind him.

The beast turns to them, I gasp as his eyes land on Belle. I run forward and stand in front of my sister; Domain gets in front of me, his hand held out to the beast.

"Master, you are frightening the mademoiselles!" Domain said, his arm coming back and shielding us.

The beast's growl got louder. I jump as he lands on all fours, his head leveled with ours. His large teeth only a few inches from Domain's face.

"Frightened?!" Isabelle scoffed. "I'm terrified!" She screamed.

The beast roared and pounced. Domain grabs my shoulder and pushes me down. Isabelle and Domain ducked as the beast flew over our heads and into the hall.

Domain stands and quickly shuts the door. I gather Isabelle into my arms, holding her to me as we listened to the growling outside. Her eyes shut with tears slipping through, Domain groans as he leaned more heavily against the door. Something seemed to be hitting against it.

I look at the knob, it had no lock. If the beast wanted to get back inside... I gulp. He will.

Yet he wasn't.

He seemed to be upset, considering the growling and loud footsteps. Like he was pacing. But he also sounded angry, that was clear to tell. His loud growling and snarling, I close my eyes. I could vision him outside, walking back and forth on his front and back legs... his dark eyes glaring at the door as he destroyed everything in the hall.

Isabelle jumps in my arms.

A vase shattered, a canvas ripped, a scratch against the wood. It continued on, and on, and on... and although I was terrified for Isabelle's and my life... I couldn't help but pity the beast as he whined on the other side of the door.

But then the whine turned into a growl and then into a roar. I cover my ears and grit my teeth, his bellow seemed to be endless. And... mournful.

Then it stopped.
It all stopped.