A Tale of Red Riding: Rise of the Alpha Huntress (The Alpha Huntress Series Book 1) (6 page)

Chapter 7

Red walked aimlessly through the dark woods, searching for the path back to Granny’s house. Each passing hour, left her feeling all the more hopeless. There was no doubt that she was utterly lost. The chances of her surviving the night were bleak as the temperature dropped to near freezing. She regretted her decision to ditch Ethan at the temple. The glimmer of hope that he might have followed her had long since faded from her thoughts.

As the night progressed, Red considered the things Ethan had told her. The more she thought about it, the more absurd it all seemed. She only saw herself as a poor orphan who had never done a spectacular thing in her life. The idea of becoming some kind of high protector didn’t make a bit of sense. She was certain there were others in Wayward far more worthy of such a great gift.

Just when things couldn’t get any worse, thunder roared out in the dark sky. A downpour of rain and chilling wind soon followed. Red shivered and shook as she sloshed across the muddy terrain.

She eventually found a hollowed out knot in the trunk of a tree, just big enough for her to fit inside. It was quite uncomfortable and smelled of mold, but she felt fortunate to have shelter from the storm.

It was far too cold to sleep, so she sat awake, watching the rain and listening to all the peculiar sounds of the woods. Some were strange and wonderful, while others were dangerous and even terrifying—trees creaked, insects chirped, and leaves fluttered or crackled from movement nearby and overhead. In the darkest hours of the night, she heard a monstrous roar followed by the terrified screams of a woman on the run. It ended with sounds that Red tried desperately to drown out by pressing her hands over her ears. The ordeal left her with a sinking feeling of shame for not doing anything to help.

By the time dawn broke, the rain had given way to a fine mist. Red hoped to have a better chance of finding her way back home in the light of day. She had not a clue where she was, nor could she even guess a direction to begin her search. The only thing she knew for certain was that hiding inside a hollowed out tree wasn’t going to get her anywhere.

Peering out of the tree, Red could see the creatures of the forest starting to emerge. If they felt safe out in the open, then it ought to be safe for her, too. She crawled out onto the wet grass and took a moment to stretch her cramped up muscles.

The crisp morning air was fragrant with wild flowers and other wonderful aromas. It made her empty stomach grumble with hunger, a feeling she knew all too well. She did a quick search around the area, hoping to find some sort of fruit or berries, but there wasn’t a sign of anything fit to eat.

A rhythmic thumping like a horse galloping erupted in the near distance. What made it so strange is that it was unclear which direction it was coming from, as if it was everywhere and nowhere at the same time.

As it grew louder, Red considered playing it safe and taking cover back inside the tree. Before she was able to make a decision either way, a large cat dashed out of the bushes and ran right between her legs. Red spun around and watched the three-foot-long spotted feline fleeing across the clearing.

“Where are you off to in such a hurry?” Red asked.

The sound of galloping hooves thundered out right behind Red. She turned around, just as a snow white horse leapt out of the bushes and came right at her.

Reacting on pure instinct, Red executed a dazzling backward handspring, just in time to avoid being trampled. When her senses returned, she saw the horse sprinting off after the cat.

“Out of my way, foolish peasant,” said a white-haired teen girl riding atop the horse. She was dressed in formal purple and black riding gear, sitting with perfect posture on a finely crafted leather saddle. From over her shoulder, she pulled a bow and loaded a wooden arrow.

Red watched helplessly as the white-haired girl took aim at the fleeing cat. The arrow soared in the blink of an eye and pierced the creature through the ribs. Crying out, it stumbled and tumbled across the wet ground until it smacked head first into the trunk of a willow tree. Red’s heart sank in despair at the sight of the wounded creature groaning in pain, but the hunt wasn’t yet over.

With her horse charging forward, the white-haired girl leaped to the ground and dashed in a flash over to the fallen cat. With one hand she grabbed the skin on the back of its neck. With her other, she pulled a long hunting knife from her boot.

“Don’t do it,” Red shouted.

The white-haired girl looked Red in the eyes. She had ghost white skin and hair that made her look like a walking corpse. Her deep purple eyes glowed in the daylight. She smirked with a malevolent grin and then slit the cat’s throat.

“How could you?” Red cried out as she approached the white-haired girl. With tear-soaked eyes, she knelt down by the cat, lying slain at its killer’s feet.

“Listen here, peasant girl, I don’t know who you are, nor do I care,” the white-haired girl said. “What has transpired here is none of your concern.”

“It
is
too my business.” Red glared up at the white-haired girl. “Who exactly do you think you are?”

“I will not be questioned by a foolish peasant girl.” The white-haired girl turned away, dragging the dead cat along behind her.

“Hey. Don’t walk away from me.” Red raced after her. “What was the point of killing it? You look well off enough not to need it for food.”

The white-haired girl responded without bothering to look back at Red. “If I was so poor that I had to eat such vermin to survive, I’d sooner let myself die of starvation.”

“Then what will you do with it?”

“Well, peasant girl, if you must know, I’m going to skin it. Twelve or thirteen more, I’ll have enough to commission a tailor to make a blanket for my horse.”

“Are you mad?” Red watched in disgust as the white-haired girl pulled a cloth sack from the horse’s saddlebag and shoved the dead animal inside. “I think you ought to be ashamed for doing such a terrible thing.”

“Shame is for the weak.” The white-haired girl turned to face Red with a furious glare of irritation. "Crying over the demise of such a disgusting creature is pathetic.”

“Maybe you’re pathetic for thinking that way.”

“How dare you speak to me in that manner, peasant girl.” The white-haired girl swung her hand to slap Red in the face. Red’s reflexes were so quick that she grabbed the girl’s wrist, stopping the strike an inch short of her face. The two girls locked eyes in a dangerous stare-down.

“My, my, peasant girl. You have superior reflexes and a fearlessness that I’ve scarcely seen. I have surely misjudged you.”

Red released the white-haired girl’s hand. “Don’t let me see you killing any more innocent cats, or you’ll answer to me.”

“Is that so? And
whom
will I be answering to?”

“My name is Red Riding.”

“You mean
the
Red Riding?” The white-haired girl stood up straight to regain her elitist composure. “Now this is indeed unexpected. It’s not that I wasn’t aware of your return, but I never expected we would meet under such circumstances.”

“And who are you?”

“I am so sorry. Where are my manners?” The white-haired girl extended a hand to Red. “My name is Ice of the royal order known to all as the Seether Clan.”

“Ice? That’s a rather unusual name.”

“No less unusual than the name Red, I would presume.”

Red shrugged in agreement. “So you’re some kind of royalty?”

“Not some kind. The best kind. My family built the entire town of Wayward. Without us, this region would be inhabited by nothing more than uneducated peasants.”

“How fortunate for them that you’re around, or they might just fall off the face of the world.”

“That was sarcasm. I don’t care for sarcasm.”

Red sighed. “As much as I’m enjoying this little chat, I need to be getting back to my granny’s house. Can you point me to the nearest road?”

“I’ll do you one better than that, Red Riding. I will take you to old Grenda’s home on my horse.”

“Oh. You know my granny?”

“Correction. I am aware that such a woman called Grenda Stalk exists in Wayward. We have no personal ties, I can assure you of that.”

“Why am I not surprised?”

“You have a sharp tongue, Red. Though I suppose this is to be expected from a woman of the Riding Clan. Not that there are many of you left around.”

Red frowned. “That seems to be the case.”

“Oh, don’t get like that now, Red. It wasn’t my intention to be callous. I was merely making a statement of fact.”

“In the future, I’ll try not to take things you say too seriously, Ice.”

Ice cracked an amused grin. “And there you go again with the snappy wit. I have a feeling you and I are going to get along quite smashingly.”

Red clenched her fists so tight it made her knuckles crack. “I couldn’t agree with your choice of words more, Ice Seether.”

“And on that note, it is time for us to ride.” With an effortless hop, Ice sprang up onto the back of her horse. She extended a hand to Red. “Shall we?”

Red faked a smile. “It’s not necessary. I’ll be fine walking.”

“Don’t be foolish, Red. These woods are treacherous to one who doesn’t know her way around. Not to mention that walking would take you well over half the day.”

“Oh. I didn’t realize I had strayed so far from home.” Red concluded that she had no other choice. “I do suppose a ride would be better than walking.”

“Now you’re talking sensibly. Give me your hand.”

Red reached out and accepted Ice’s waiting hand. She was startled to discover Ice’s skin was chilling cold and as smooth as silk. With one effortless pull, Red hopped up onto the back of the horse and slid into the saddle behind Ice. For the second time since her arrival, a stranger she didn’t much care for was giving her a ride home. The irony wasn’t lost on her.

“Onward.”
Ice shouted.

The white horse took off running so lightning fast that it made Red squeal.

“Hang on tight, Red Riding.”

Ice gave the horse a kick in the side and it began running even faster. Red experienced a thrill unlike any other as they crossed flowery fields, leaped over a rocky ravine, splashed across a flowing stream, and charged down a steep embankment. The ride lasted for the better part of an hour before they reached a dirt path and Ice let the horse slow to a trot.

“Ice, that was one of the most thrilling experiences of my life. You’re a magnificent rider.”

“Yes, I know. Now tell me your story, Red Riding.”

Red frowned. “I’m afraid there isn’t much to tell.”

“Nonsense. Even a peasant orphan has a story to be told.”

“How do you know I was an orphan?”

“Red, darling, you are far more well-known around Wayward than you’re aware of.”

“I’m just starting to realize that.” Red had a nervous twinge, unsure how to feel about her apparent fame.

“Now come on, Red. I’m sure you have a plethora of interesting tales to share.”

Red had no idea what plethora meant, nor did she intend to ask. “My life has always been eventful and filled with complications, but never interesting.”

“You’ll have to excuse me if I have no ability to relate to such a notion. As a Seether, every day of my fifteen years of life has been nothing less than interesting.”

“Why am I not surprised?” Red sighed, wanting nothing more than for this conversation to be over with.

“Don’t get me wrong, Red. My path in life has not been without complications. My parents impose expectations upon me that you couldn’t begin to comprehend. Not that this isn’t to be expected, considering my elevated status.”

“I’m sure it’s been a terrible struggle for you,” Red said.

“I’ll ignore the obvious wit intended by your words. Trust me when I say that immense wealth and power does not mean a life free of difficulties,” Ice said.

“I suppose you’re right, Ice.”

“As is
always
the case.” Ice pulled the reins, and the horse stopped. “Well then, this is as far as I can take you.”

“Thank goodness.” Red looked around and was relieved to find they were on the path near Grenda’s house. She slid down off the saddle and dropped to the ground. “Ice Seether, I would like to thank you.”

“Think nothing of it, Red Riding. The pleasure was mine indeed. It is rare to meet a woman of importance nearly equal to my own.”

Red again faked a smile. “As much as I’m enjoying this little chat, I must be going now.”

“Before you do, may I ask just one last question?”

“I suppose it depends on the question you want to ask.”

“Yes, of course,” Ice snarled. “With that qualifier in mind, what is it that has brought you back to Wayward after all these years?”

Red sighed. “Well, I thought it was to find my family, but things have become a bit complicated. Now, I’m not even sure I’ll be staying.”

“I think it would be sensible if you stayed around for a few more days.”

“I didn’t mean I was leaving right away. To be quite honest, I haven’t decided one way or the other just yet.”

“Excellent. That is not a decision to be made in haste. If it were my choice to make, I would certainly take some time to think it over.”

Red nodded in agreement. “That’s probably what I’ll do.”

“I’ll tell you what, Red. Come to my house tonight. I’m having a little dinner party. Just a few close friends. I’ll introduce you to some of the better people of Wayward. Perhaps that will help you decide.”

“That’s a kind offer, Ice. I’m just not so sure I’m quite up for a party after the night I’ve had.”

“Don’t be like that now. I simply won’t take no for an answer. I’ll even send a driver to pick you up if you’re lacking adequate transportation.”

“No, that is too much. I couldn’t put you out like that.”

“Trust me, Red, darling. It’s
nothing
.”

From the way Ice said it, Red knew it had to be true. There was no doubt Ice had great wealth. “If it really isn’t any trouble, then I accept your offer.”

“Then it’s settled. The driver will arrive at eight. Feel free to bring a date if you can find one on such short notice.”