A Dark Crest Novel

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Everly is the next "bride of the beast," she is taken up the manor, and expects to be sacrificed, she survives, but meets a much worse fate the she had ever imagined.

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A wild beast had begun to attack our town, once every full moon, after it had its fill, it would calmly walk back up the hill, to the infamous Whitlock manor. It was rumored to be haunted. No one quite knew who had started the rumor, and no one had bothered to ask. It had been known forever, and everyone treated it as fact. Anyone ventured up to the manor, we’re said to be cursed. So no one in town dared to step foot inside, the seemingly empty manor. 


 One night, the town had agreed to try and stop the attacks. The beast would come down, and hunt soon, but what if we brought the hunt to the beast? What if we brought it a bride? A midnight snack? Would that quench its thirst? Would it still come down from Whitlock Manor? Those questions ran through all of our minds, as Ophelia Drillscoll, the first bride, was forced up the mountain by a few curious villagers, and left bound, at the foot of the manor. The village was not attacked that night. 

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The Beast Of Whitlock Manor

The sweet sickly smell of pancakes whisk through the air, and up my nostrils. I slowly open my eyes to find myself in unfamiliar surroundings. I look around the dimly lit room, and memories from the day prior begin to flood my mind. After the attack, I had fled, and reached the outskirts of a small village. There I was rescued by an aloof red-headed woman. I look down to see all of the bandages, they were a little sloppy, but without them my wounds would be far greater than they were currently. 


I swing my legs over the side of the bed, and carefully stand up. I let out a small moan of pain, but I suck it up, and walk to the door. From there I follow the smell, through a large hall. At the end I reach the dining hall. Sitting at the end of the table, is the red-headed woman, my savior. 


"Everly Von Elrod, you may call me Everly for the remainder of your stay here." She says in a cold, serious tone. I sit down across from her. "And you are?" 


"Oh I apologize for forgetting to introduce myself. My name is Alora." 


 She nods in response, and continues eating. We eat the entire meal together in silence. Everly abruptly stands up. “Your wounds are to dire for you to travel. It looks as though you’ll be staying here for a while. I’ll find you a more comfortable room for the remainder of your stay.” She begins walking. “Follow me.” I quickly stand up, and follow her down the hall, to a large oak door. She lightly pushes it open revealing the grandiose room. 


“I couldn't possibly stay here. This room is to grand for someone like me. I dont wish to be a bother, you allowing me to stay here while I recover is already a to kind of a gesture. The room I have is just fine-” 


“I insist. I’ll allow you to look around for a bit.” She walks over to the door, before turning back to me. “Come find me if you need anything.” She leaves, closing the door behind her. 


After finishing la comtesse et son chevalier for the third time I go to the library in search of another novel. There I find Alora. I stand in the doorway for a second watching her struggling to read; she mouths the words, almost sounding them out. "You can read?" I ask, startling her. 


"Ah Everly, I didn't see you there." She says, nervously. "I can't read that well, but my mother taught me a little." 


"Really? It's one my childhood favorites." 


I grab a book from the shelf before walking over to her, and sitting down next to her. We sit in the peaceful silence reading together for a few hours. Maybe having company won't be so bad…


Chapter Six