by Waters, Carl
Her blood stilled in her veins at the thought. Yes, they’d entered her woods without a care for the danger it put them in. They’d come as close to her house as they dared, to taunt her with their power. And then they’d attacked her friend—in her own territory—and left his body behind. To show her what they’d done. To show her that they were not afraid of her, or her powers. To draw her out of her house and shelter, so to speak.
It meant that Merlin had come not a moment too soon, with his warning. And though he hadn’t told her that the master vampire he sought was coming for her, she’d suspected that it was the reason for his visit. Now she knew. Rowan’s body in the woods was a message, meant for her alone: The master vampire had come for her, and challenged her with this death. He was threatening not only the Red Hood but her daughters, and the entire village she called home.
Angeline straightened her shoulders and looked out into the forest, smiling a grim, resigned smile. Yes, she’d been challenged. And she would answer. Tonight. Before these monsters could do any further damage.
8
Angeline knelt by the body for some time, trying to find her way forward. She should bury the body, or at least destroy it so that the wolves didn’t come back for it. Then a thought occurred to her: What if the vampires had, in fact, turned Rowan, and he hadn’t awoken yet? She hadn’t dealt with vampires closely enough to know how long the transition took, and if she carried him home to his family and he awoke as a vampire …
She would never be able to forgive herself.
She pried open both of his eyes, her ears alert for any sound from the forest, and saw, to her relief, that his pupils were still large and round. Human eyes, not the sapphire-blue eyes that vampires had. She remembered that much from her original training. He was safe then … or at least safely in the afterlife. Not cursed to come back as a blood-sucking devil here in the mortal world.
But that failed to answer her other question: What was she to do about it? She stood and turned toward the forest, her keen eyes gazing into the stillness and silence of the trees. But no matter how closely she looked, she knew that anything may be hiding in the brush. The vampires were as weak as normal humans during daylight, but that didn’t mean they weren’t out there.
No, the vampires could be watching her right now, somehow shielded from the daylight, and she would have no idea.
She whirled around, throwing her senses into the forest beyond, and stilled her breathing. If they were out there, now would be the perfect time to slay them. She just needed the hood to help her find them.
At the thought, she glanced down at the man that had been her friend. He stared back up at her, his eyes sightless and terrified at their last vision. And as she dropped to the ground to gently press them closed, she realized that she already knew the answer to her question. Yes, she wanted to go home and prepare for the coming battle. Yes, she wanted to warn her girls, and protect them. Be certain that the boys were indoors, where they would be safe. Yes, she needed to find the vampires who had done this.
But before any of that, she needed to get Rowan home to his wife and children. She knew Joss well, and the woman would be worried beyond belief if he’d been gone for long. Her responsibility was to the people around her, first and foremost, and at the moment that meant taking this man back to his family so that they could care for his body and begin their grieving process.
She’d barely made the decision when the hood signaled its approval. It sent its power flooding through her veins, liquid fire that brought her to life, and for the first time that day she felt the full strength of the hood in her own body. Without thinking any further, she scooped Rowan’s large body up and tossed it over her shoulder, cringing at the thought that she might hurt him, and then telling herself to stop being ridiculous. He was dead, after all, and though he was much larger than her, she had the power of the hood.
She hadn’t been there in time to protect him, but no harm would befall him now that he was in her care.
As she began walking—and then running—through the forest, she let her mind wander. Three vampires, at least, and they were close to her own house. Close to her girls. There was no doubt, now, that the master vampire had come for her, of all the Hoods. Worse, they were willing to use innocent humans as bait. She’d found the first body, but she wasn’t naive enough to think that the vampires wouldn’t kill again, and again, and again, to make sure that they had her attention. In fact, if she guessed right, they would be killing every human they could get their hands on, just for the joy of it.
She would have to find them, and soon.
But how? It was daytime yet, and though they could possibly be creeping in the shadows, she rather doubted it. She took a moment to focus on the path, which had become faint in the dying light, and crashed through the underbrush for a few steps, using the hood’s power and strength to keep her on her feet as Rowan’s body shifted on her shoulder. Ducking under a tree and then leaping over a bush brought her sharply back onto the path, and she breathed a sigh of relief. Though she knew the forest like the back of her hand, the path was safer for her now, and a quicker route.
Then she noticed that the sun had started its descent, and doubled her pace. She needed to be under a roof—with easy access to fire—before night fell. It mattered little whether it was her house or Rowan’s.
For once the sun went down, the vampires would rise at full strength from their daytime resting spots and seek her out. She considered for a moment whether she should try to find those resting spots, kill the vampires as they lay sleeping … but put it quickly to the side. The chances of her finding their hiding place, and having time to attack the vampires who lay there, were slim. Beyond that, it would take her far too much time. And she did not have that luxury.
She rounded a turn in the path at a full run, her heart heavy at the thought of the scene that was coming, and drew to a sudden stop. She had already arrived at Rowan’s house, and now—long after her run had started—her heart began to pound. Now was the time when she had to carry her heaviest burden: telling a family that their loved one had perished. It wasn’t the first time she’d donned this mantle, but she’d never found it to be easy.
Slowly, and with sad, dragging steps, she moved forward, Rowan a terrible weight over her shoulder, her mind flying through the possible explanations she could use, her heart crying out against the unfairness of it all.
When she knocked, Rowan’s wife answered. “Thank God you’re home, we were so—” she began. Then she saw Angeline, and her eyes flew to Rowan, thrown over Angeline’s shoulder.
All color drained from her face.
“Oh my God, Angeline, what’s happened?” she gasped.
Angeline’s heart felt as though it was breaking, but she stumbled across the doorstep and laid Rowan gently down on the bed in the corner. Looking up, she noticed the two girls—only five and eight, if she remembered correctly—their eyes big with shock at the sight of their fallen father. They would grow up without knowing him well, she realized, and would have to learn to work for their supper. The family would be forever changed, and not only by that … they had also lost a father. A husband. A source of support.
“I found him in the forest,” she said quietly. “Louis and Geoffrey happened upon him and came for me immediately. I’m so sorry, Joss, by the time I got there … ” Her voice faded away. The animals were at him. The vampires had done their damage and left. Those who’ve come for me had already killed him.
But she could give none of those explanations, for they would only frighten the family further, leave more questions without answers. The people in these woods, like most humans in the world, did not believe in vampires; they thought they were imaginary creatures used to scare children. They knew that the Red Hood kept them safe but did not fully realize what she kept them safe from. And Angeline was not about to violate that innocence.
“It looks as though the wolves got him,” she finally said. “Or perhaps some madman in the forest.”
Angeline watched for a moment, knowing that he would never speak to them again, and then moved over and put her hand on Joss’s shoulder.
“I do not know who or what killed him, Joss, or why. I do not know what I can do about it, truly. But I promise you this: I will do everything in my power to find this man or beast and bring them to justice. Your husband’s death will be avenged.”
She turned and walked out the door without waiting for an answer, for she knew there would be none. For now, she’d given all the comfort she could, and she would support the family in the coming days as they felt the loss more keenly.
For now, however, she had but one goal, and one thought. She must find the master vampire and destroy him before he and his coven killed again.
9
When Angeline arrived back at her cottage after a quick, tense walk through the woods, she paused. She’d spent the walk worrying—about both the coming night around her and the possibility that there were vampires in it, waiting to harm the innocents around her. Her daughters. The villagers.
Merlin was right: She had to choose one of her girls and begin training immediately. If she didn’t, and if she were somehow killed, it would mean years of training—from someone who wasn’t the Red Hood. Years of the people going unprotected. Years of a broken and scattered brotherhood. Merlin—and the other Hoods—wouldn’t be able to do it all.
She paused when she drew close to the house, hearing voices inside, and realized that not only were the boys still there—thank the Heavens—but that they were speaking with her girls about everyday matters.
“What would you know about it?” Alison was snapping. “You’ve never touched a boy in your life.”
Angeline could almost hear the shrug that Adela threw back at her younger sister.
“I don’t have to touch one to know that they’re built differently than we are, Alison,” she said smugly. “Just look at Louis and Geoffrey. Far stronger than we are, and they always will be, even when we’re full grown. Men are given that advantage. I find it unfair, is all.”
Angeline nearly laughed at that. How very like Adela to come up with that piece of logic. The reply didn’t surprise her in the slightest.
“That’s because men are meant to protect women.” Alison’s voice was prim and proper, and Angeline could imagine the preening look she was sending toward … Louis, if her read was correct. In fact, now that she focused and brought the hood’s powers to bear, she could sense that both the girls had their eyes on Louis. He was larger and more adventurous than Geoffrey, who’d always been slightly sicklier than Angeline liked. And Louis certainly presented himself as more of a dashing figure.
“I’d protect anyone who needed it,” Louis said stoutly, confirming Angeline’s thoughts.
She nearly laughed but then choked on Adela’s answer.
“I won’t need any protection. I’m going to be Red Hood, and that means it’ll be my job to protect those around me. If you’re in trouble, I’ll be coming to help you too.”
“Then perhaps we’ll manage to protect each other,” Louis said, his voice growing suddenly tender.
Well, Angeline thought, that was quite enough of that. These youngsters were far too innocent to be thinking of such things, and she didn’t want another fight between the girls about the hood and its eventual mistress. She opened the door, walked through it, and closed it firmly behind her, mindful that there were creatures in the night.
Glancing around the room, she saw that the girls were both sitting with Louis at the table while Geoffrey leaned against the wall, his eyes only for Alison. So that was where his affections lay, Angeline thought, amused. She did not think there was any hope for him, however, as Alison would always consider him small and weak compared to her.
None of which was important right now. They had limited time left, and the boys needed to get home.
“There are strange creatures out tonight,” she said shortly. “You boys will return directly to your homes, and you won’t dawdle on your way. It’s important that you’re under your own roof before the sun sets on the horizon. Avoid the shadows, and make haste, if you please. Geoffrey, when you arrive home, tell your father to keep the fire burning all night. He will know what I mean.”
For of all the men in the forest, Piers was the only one she had ever trusted with the truth about who and what she was, and what she faced on a daily basis. She’s prepared him for the possibility of other creatures, and given him steps to take in case of this sort of disaster. He and Geoffrey, at least, would be safe. As long as the boy made it home in time.
She shooed the boys toward the door, despite their arguments, and stopped them at the threshold.
“Where are you going?”
“Home, as quick as we can,” Louis answered. “Though I don’t like it, Madam Angeline. If there’s trouble, you should let us stay and help.”
She shook her head. “You cannot help, though I appreciate your spirit, Louis. And what are you to do?”
“To keep the fire burning all night,” he said, his face falling at her answer.
Angeline nodded and turned to Geoffrey. “And you?”
“I’ll run right home, ma’am, I swear it,” he said quickly. “And I’ll tell my father to keep the fire burning as well. All night, so help me.”
“And neither of you is to allow any strangers into your homes, do you hear me? If you see someone at your doors that you do not know, tell them to go away and come back tomorrow, during the daylight hours. Do not open the door, do not invite them into your houses.”
Both boys nodded at that, and she nodded back then shoved them out the door, taking a moment to stare at the sky as she did. She could just see a window of blue between the trees, and it gave her the best possible answer: The blue was dark, but it was still visible, and that meant they had time before sunset. Time before the boys were in danger.
She could only pray that they got home before the sky went to red, and then to black. And that they didn’t allow anyone into their houses, if the vampires chose to go calling.
Turning back to the house, she gazed quietly at her two daughters. The girls seemed to understand that something was amiss, for they’d ceased their bickering for once and stared at her with open concern.
“What is it, Mother?” Adela finally asked. “What’s happened? Did you find the body? Who was it?”
“It was Rowan,” Angeline answered sharply, moving back toward the table. “And he was killed by a vampire. Three or four of them, if I read the signs correctly.”
This drew a pair of gasps from the girls, and Angeline nodded. It was far past time to protect these two. The moment she’d been dreading had come, and she must open their eyes to the goings on of the world and prepare one or the other to become the Red Hood. The world needed one of them to carry on, in her name.
“Well, Adela need not worry about vampires, as she is too small, slow, and weak to fight them,” Alison said bluntly. “She should worry about her cooking.”
Angeline narrowed her eyes at her younger daughter. Truthfully, she was growing impatient with the girl’s attitude of superiority. Perhaps it was time to teach Alison some respect.
She looked outside and saw that there was still enough daylight remaining. “We’re going to end the day with a sparring match,” she said quickly. “The two of you, without any help from me. Wooden swords, but I’ll expect you to fight until we have a clear winner. I need to start making my decision, and that begins now.”
She knew she was setting Alison up to lose. Though she was taller, faster, and stronger, she’d never defeated Adela in a true sparring match. Adela was too quick, too wily for Alison. She thought three steps ahead, and the larger girl could never manage to keep up. What was more: Adela was relentless. She didn’t take breaks, didn’t pause to breathe. She f
ought until the end.
A part of Angeline’s mind inquired suddenly whether she’d done this one purpose because her choice was already made. The hood answered for her: If she had, it was the right thing to do.
Without another word, she escorted the girls outside, grabbed a pair of wooden swords from the weapons chest, and tossed them toward her daughters. “And begin!” she shouted, leaving them to figure out the rules and where they would fight.
Adela did not wait. She dove right for Alison’s legs, rolled, and took the younger girl down without ever drawing her sword. Then she came up swinging, smacking Alison once, and then twice, across the arms while the younger girl was down. But Alison was getting better at reacting to her sister’s sudden moves, and she was back on her feet within moments, the sword in her hand. Here she showed her lack of patience, though, for she swung wildly and without any scheme, meaning only to take Adela off her feet with the force of the blow.
The wild, consistent swings were easily managed, and Adela was soon ducking and weaving, jumping into the air when Alison tried to hit her feet. Then she made a mistake, and grinned cheekily at her sister.
Alison immediately began swinging faster and harder, and Adela found herself being driven toward the wall with the weapons chest. She brought her sword up to block Alison’s blows, and soon came up against the wall entirely.
Alison slid her sword up Adela’s and leaned in, leering. “You think you’re so smart, Adela,” she taunted. “You think you’re so perfect. I’ve seen the way you look at Louis. I’ve seen the way you look at the hood. You’re so certain that you’ll win them both.”
“You can have Louis,” Adela spat. “I care not. But the hood is mine!” And she pushed Alison off, sending the other girl to the ground. When she tried to rush at Alison, though, the younger girl brought her sword up and struck Adela across the head.
Adela dropped to the ground, stunned, and Angeline gasped.