1 Introduction

Introduction

Its black fur stood up, as it ran at her, its red eyes filled with an unquenchable thirst, as it ripped her to pieces. Her blood-curdling screams echoed throughout the hall. That is the fate of any who enters Whitlock Manor, at least that’s what the rumors say. I’ll soon find out, after all, I am to be the next bride of the beast. My name is Evelry Von Elrod, and this will be the last you ever hear of me.

My misfortune all started when I arrived at Whitlock Manor. The year was 1582, I was just sixteen years old at the time. 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.

The following morning, Ophelia’s elder brother, Xander Drillscoll, who was not present at the time of her capture, went up the mountain, in search of her. When she was found she was no longer breathing, or even recognizable.

The plan had worked. Thus a new tradition was born. Every month the town would decide on one person to send up to the manor. If you were picked, a red X would be painted on your front door. You were given a week to say your goodbyes, and after a few had tried to run away, someone was assigned to guard the bride at all times. I was the 13th bride to be sent to the manor. Like my number implies I was by far the unluckiest of them all.