Chapter Three: The Hunt Begins

River Black

River collapsed to her knees in front of where the doorway had just been moments before. She prided herself on being strong, being brave, but this was so far out of reality that it rendered her weak. Just for a moment. Tears streaked down her lightly freckled cheeks.

“I’ve gotta wake up,” she whispered to herself, pinching her arm. All it did was sting a little. There was no way this was actually happening, she knew that. It wasn’t possible. You just didn’t get yanked into other...what? Dimensions? Worlds? After following a strange light.

She knew it was stupid now. The music, the light. She’d heard fairy tales before. She’d listened to YouTube videos about going missing in the woods under bizarre circumstances. It was just she hadn’t believed in any of that stuff. She never really thought very deeply about it.

After crying and pinching her arm until it was red, River got to her feet. She only had one shoe on. It would make walking difficult so she took it off and just decided socks would have to do. She took stock of her surroundings. It was warm with a cool breeze, much like home had been. She was in a clearing, though this one was different. There was a little, babbling stream with clear water. River knew it wasn’t safe to drink most water, but she was thirsty from screaming.

Scooping up handfuls of the water, she drank it. It was cool and almost sweet tasting. She drank until her belly was sloshy, and she sat on the bank of the little stream and wondered what she was going to do. She didn’t see any civilization at all. No people. She thought she’d heard birdsong a moment ago, but it was starting to get dark and it must have stopped for the day.

On the other side of the stream was a large rock with a flat top. She decided to climb on top of it and see if she could get a better vantage point. Maybe she’d see something then. A house or road. Something. Anything.

The moment she crossed the stream by hopping over it, she looked at the rock again. Only this time, someone was sitting on top of it.

Startling with a yelp, she took a step back, getting both feet wet in the stream. It was a man. He was smiling down at her, his head tilted to the side. He was strange looking, his clothing weird. Maybe she’d stumbled upon a Renaissance festival. His hair was flaming red, nothing natural, and fell to his waist in curling waves. He had light tan skin and bright copper colored eyes. His throat and wrists were adorned with golden bangles set with what looked like rubies. His feet were bare and he wore only tight, blood-red colored leather pants. Maybe he was in a metal band or something.

“Hello,” he said warmly.

“Ah...hi? I’m lost,” she said, grateful to see another person, even if he was dressed a little weird.

His brow arched. “Are you? How dreadful. You certainly don’t want to be lost in these woods.What’s your name, friend?”

His voice was musical, pretty actually, almost like he were singing a nursery rhyme. “River,” she said, stepping out of the creek, her feet freezing.

“River! What a pretty name. Pretty name for a pretty girl. A pity you’re lost.”

She noted he didn’t offer his name or tell her how to...not be lost. He almost seemed to think it was funny. River scowled up at him, not appreciating the compliment, even if it came from such an...interesting person.

It wasn’t that he looked creepy or even ugly. He was probably the most beautiful man she’d ever seen in her life. He didn’t even look entirely real. She shook that off. She didn’t want to be rude. She needed help. “Yeah. Could you help me? I didn’t uh...catch your name?”

He nodded. “Because I didn’t give it to you. And I won’t. Names are important.” He twirled a strand of bright red hair around a long finger. “And I assume you’re here for a reason. I probably shouldn’t interfere.”

“No,” she insisted, stepping closer, getting irritated. This wasn’t a game and it wasn’t funny. Her poor parents. They’d be worried sick. They’d find a shoe and her phone. They’d think the worst! “I didn’t mean to come here. Wherever here is. It was an accident.” She didn’t know how to explain to the man what had happened. He probably wouldn’t believe her anyway! She barely believed it herself.

She noticed now that she was closer, that the man wore gold paint on his eyelids. Not quite like eyeshadow, it was too metallic.

“Accident DO happen,” he agreed. “Regrettable.”

She’d had it. Her face twisted into an angry scowl, and she didn’t try mashing it down this time. “I’m lost and need to get back to my camp. My parents are going to be worried. I’m sure they’re looking for me. Right now.”

He lifted his broad shoulders in an uncaring shrug. “That’s very sad. I’m sure they will find a way to move past your loss. In time.”

His words stopped her dead in her tracks. She stared up at him with wide eyes. “Wait. What are you saying?” she asked, feeling all the color drain from her face.

He shrugged again, his grin no longer friendly, but sly. “I’m not really saying anything. Am I?”

River shook her head. “Please. Please help me. Please.”

He stood, his hair nearly trailing to his knees. He jangled musically when he stood. “I’d -love- to. I really would. But things happen for a reason and I would just hate to interfere. Might make someone angry. Besides. It’s getting dark and I really shouldn’t linger. I’d hate to see it.”

“See what?” she whispered, feeling numb.

“What’s going to happen to you, of course. Nasty business.” With that, the man hopped off the rock, to the other side of it. She didn’t hear him land.

#

Tamsin Eventide

It took everything in him not to go to her the moment she stumbled through the doorway. He could do nothing but watch as Cinder wickedly teased her before leaving her helpless and alone, afraid.

He trembled in rage and longing. He wanted to tear the wicked Fae to pieces. He could feel his curse ripple under his skin and sharpen his senses. He swore he could -smell- her. River. He could smell her fear, her sweat, her sweet perfume. Tamsin wanted to taste her skin.

He had to resist. He couldn’t claim her, even if that’s what the beast of his curse wanted. It was the treaty he and his brother had signed with the Witch Queen. It kept all out war at bay. It kept her evil sons on their leashes. Tamsin couldn’t let his beast, his curse, overwhelm him and ruin it all. His brother would never forgive him, and they’d become like strangers over the years as it was. He’d kept his curse a secret from his brother Aelinth. Tamsin knew what he’d think. Think him a monster to be put down. No, no one could know. It was his burden to bear and now he had to control it. Control himself.

But watching her as the golden light from the setting sun played on her hair in gilded ripples, the way she smelled when she was afraid, her pitiful cries for help...it took every ounce of self-control he had.

Tamsin stayed still as he could, trying to calm his panting breath, his pounding heart. He trembled watching her, like a wounded fawn, lithe and graceful even as she looked about for any aid. None would come. Not from him. Not from Cinder who had lured her here to begin with. His hearing, made keen from his curse, picked up the distant crunch of branch and twig as something large approached.

The Dain began his hunt.