Curse of the Beast: A Beauty and the Beast Retelling Novella by Jo Cassidy

Author:Jo Cassidy [Cassidy, Jo]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Awkward Pepper, LLC
Published: 2019-10-13T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

E verett immediately stepped in front of me, blocking me from the doors, his hand reaching behind him and settling on my waist.

A smile tried to inch its way on my face, but I quickly shut it down. I didn't need protection. I was a trained fighter.

The thump came again, the large wooden doors rattling and bringing me back to the reality in front of me. Someone was trying to break into the castle.

"Who do you think it is?" Ruth asked, her voice so soft and small compared to the noise of something ramming into the door repeatedly.

Horatia stood tall in front of Everett, still holding her candle. "I think it's more of a what not who."

Seconds later, howls ripped through the night, loud on the other side of the door.

"Are the wolves trying to come inside?" I asked. It didn't seem possible. How could they have gotten through the wrought iron fence surrounding the perimeter of the castle grounds?

"Well, it is rather stormy out there," Lucien said with a chuckle. "Even the wolves must keep warm." When we all turned to look at him, his laughter faded, and he ducked his head sheepishly.

The wood of the front door splintered, bringing our attention back to it.

"Uh, Master?" Ruben asked with a shaky voice, fear lacing his tone.

With a loud pop, a large chunk of wood flew out from the door, sliding across the marble floor and coming to a stop at the edge of the stairs.

Multiple pairs of golden eyes peered in through the hole, the wolves' snarls mixing in with the sound of pouring rain.

"Run!" Everett snatched my hand and yanked me up the stairs with him.

I stumbled to keep up—the stupid heels and impractical dress slowing me down—the sounds of pattering feet behind me as we raced farther into the castle. Lit candles on the walls illuminated our path.

The crash of the doors bursting open filled the halls, followed by claws striking the marble floor. The wolves' growls and pants echoed down the corridor as we ran.

We'd just reached the third level when Ruben cried out. Everett and I paused, turning around to check on him. He was sprawled out on the ground, arms reaching out toward us, a wolf biting into the bottom of his pants and dragging him away. Ruth stood against the wall, frozen in horror.

"Help!" Ruben's cry was desperate, clutching at my heartstrings.

Ruth shook out of her trance and ran for Ruben.

Everett let go of my hand and dashed toward them. He pushed Ruth away from Ruben. "Ruth, take Horatia, Payton, and Lucien to the tower. Now!"

She didn't argue. Lucien was already heading up another set of stairs with Horatia close behind. Ruth tried to grab my arm, but I snatched it away. Everett had grabbed a sword from a knight statue and was swinging it about, trying to scare off a couple of wolves.

Ruben continued to be pulled farther away from us. I couldn't leave him alone to die like that. I'd been trained to fight.

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