Scarlotte Bloodbourne: A Short Story

By Brooke Elden

Scarlotte Bloodbourne is a short story thriller by Brooke Elden. In a setting of grime-covered goblins and dark wainscoted chambers, Scarlotte’s life of masquerade balls and subterfuge within dark alleys as a bloodthirsty killer is recounted. Shrewd, cunning, and the ultimate femme fatale, Scarlotte will stop at nothing to get what she wants. While Scarlotte’s lust for blood sustains her, will it ultimately lead to her demise?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brooke Elden
• Release date: May 17, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463440377

Brooke Elden

I’ve been telling stories since I knew what stories were. I remember inventing very dramatic plots for my dolls and other toys (most of them involved death) to live out. My first story was The Missing Unicorn, penned at age 6, followed by The Lost Cat, both published in the school library. I’ve been writing since.In second and third grade, I received some awards for short stories I wrote. In fourth grade, I was a part of a writing club where we printed our work into a picture book. Mine was a tale about my dog.At age 11, I formally proclaimed myself a writer. I knew it was my destiny to tell stories. I completed my first novella at age 12.

Book preview

Scarlotte Bloodbourne

Scarlotte Bloodbourne

Brooke Elden

Cover Art by Brooke Elden

Copy Edited by Kayla Lowe

Formatted by Meagan Thompson

Contents

Scarlotte Bloodbourne

Scarlotte Bloodbourne

Awoman in a fitted blue dress with unmarked porcelain skin combed through ribbons in the city square. Stone goblins watched through menacing scowls from grime-covered buildings with indented windows and curved chimneys behind market carts as the sun sparkled against her almost-black curls.

A grimy man stood slumped against the wall of a dingy shop, watching her with an unquenchable thirst only she could dampen. She looked up from searching the display and caught his eye with her blue ones. She smirked, rose creeping into her high cheekbones, and only looked away after holding his gaze for a long moment that may have made most people uncomfortable. She flashed the ribbon merchant a dazzling smile and laughed shallowly at something he said, the ribbons held loosely in her hands. When he turned away, she stashed them in her gown.

The merchant turned back. She rifled through the ribbons as though pretending to return the ones she’d just been holding.

Why don’t you take some home with you? the merchant offered.

I didn’t bring my purse today, she replied coyly. A stray curl twirled around her forefinger. I’m just looking, she insisted sweetly.

It’s no matter; just take what you like. It’s on the house, he told her, wearing a stupid puppy dog grin, evidently besotted by her wiles.

Oh, sir, I couldn’t. She abandoned the curl to throw a delicate hand to her chest as a blush once again rose.

I insist. Go on, a thing like you is too pretty to go unadorned.

"Well, if you insist, she acquiesced, suddenly unabashed, selecting a few of the finest. They would be worth the most money. Your kindness won’t be forgotten." She winked.

Hands full of ribbon, she turned away from the cart and drilled another stare into the man who watched her, as though defying him to report what he’d seen.

Scarlotte! another figure called, approaching in frilly noble garments, a shirt of white lace and black breeches. She ignored him. Scarlotte. There you are. He placed his hands on her shoulders once he reached her. Scarlotte stiffened and didn’t remove her gaze from the other man. Darling, are you ready? Good gracious! he exclaimed, taking in the colorful display. So many ribbons! He flashed a cheesy smile. What do you need with all those?

Scarlotte’s eyes finally lowered, and she looked away, smiling. A lady can never have too many ribbons, she fired off.

Must you captivate everyone you come into contact with? the frilly noble asked dryly, scrutinizing the merchant’s fanciful gaze that followed her wake. Scarlotte shrugged, hinting at innocence. Let’s go, he commanded, checking his pocket watch before leading her away. That’s enough damage for one day.

She cast a glance