In the kingdom of Vanderdash, there is no more feared warriors than that of the Scarlet Guard. Protectors of the royal family, skilled assassins trained since childhood, They follow the crown, they enforce the crown. To many, the group cloaked in red is a greater symbol of the royal family's power than the kings crown itself. Citizens respect and fear the scarlet guard, the power they hold. But within the guard there is only one who installed that very same feeling into the rest. Head of the prince's royal guard, ruthless and cunning, rarely seen by the citizens themselves. They call her Red. An expert in poisons and deception, the small girl has brought armies to their knees without once lifting a blade. A vermillion haired monster hidden behind the face of a doll. ~~ I smiled up at the men, "Would you like a cookie?" They peered into the basket I held out, spotting the heart shaped treats. "They're cinnamon with apple Jam. I do promise they are to die for." The taller mans eyes narrowed, "did you give the poor fool dead on the road a cookie?" My lips parted, "a dead man? Oh my..do you think it is safe?" "..depends on who you are miss, why did you say you were in the woods again?" I smiled gently, "I didn't." He rose a brow. "I'm delivering these," I shook the basket a bit, "to my dearest grandmama." He hesitated for only a slight second, "oh. well. be careful then. These woods can be dangerous." I nodded once still holding out the basket, "so would you?" "Would we what?" I giggle a bit, "like a cookie silly." "Ah.." he scratched the back of his head, "sorry, I'm not too fond of apples." Damn it. I sighed softly, "strawberry next time then." "Right..." As I turned to go I looked up at the two tall men, "you be careful now too gentleman. There are wolves in these woods." They nodded rigidly as I spun and began to skip off, giggling to myself. He asked the wrong question. I didn't give the dead fool a cookie. I gave him two.

The bell to my grandfathers old shop rang and I looked up from my magazine, "Welcome to Sugar Suga- whoa what happened to your face?" A dark haired man in worn black jeans spat on my perfectly polished cotton candy floor. "shut up and let me use the back room." I shrugged, staring at the light purple tile he spat on, "Kay but was there really a need to spit on my floor? this is a candy shop you know. Cant have bloody spit in the chocolate." If looks could kill I would be melted into a rainbow puddle. He jumped behind the counter and stormed into the back room, "tell anyone here and I'll fucking kill you." I snorted, "what are you going to do gag me with your lolly pop?" He froze in the doorway for a moment before slamming the door behind him. What a fun guy. I looked up at the bell ringing again, "Hello! welcome to Sugar-Sugar my names Lola and I'll be happy to make any non sexual sweet dreams come true!" I love when there are no kids in the store and I can ad-lib the greeting A group of crude looking men stared at me for a long moment, "have you seen a beaten up pretty boy around here?" I pointed out the door, "pretty sure I saw him pass by, why?" They left without answering my question and I shrugged, going back to my magazine, "Yo! pretty boy back there buy some candy will you? its the least you can do after I kept you from getting shot in the face!" ~~ After Lola Fayes grandfather died he left her his beloved candy shop. Doing the rational thing she dropped out of high school to work full time at her favorite childhood place where she was practically raised. So when a mysterious man storms in one day and demands she lets him use the shop as a safe haven as her grandfather had her life is turned upside down in a strange way she never even dreamed she would have to deal with. ~~ A/N just so you know this book contains magic and sex....heh magic sex XD read at own risk!