Hidden Red Riding Hood: The Hidden Tales, #0

By TD Kohnen

A cursed girl, a dark forest, and a cunning wolf.

 

 

Blanche--called Little Red Riding Hood because of the magical red cloak she wears everywhere--looked forward to a night of fun when she agreed to help her mother serve at the Kingdom of Evergreen's royal ball. The night spirals into chaos when a queen from an invading kingdom curses everyone there. Blanche escapes the attacking troops with the magic of her cloak, but her mother isn't so lucky. 

 

Under a curse that makes her look like a boy, Blanche must navigate a treacherous forest to find shelter with her grandmother. A strange wolf offering to help seems like the perfect guide, but he may be more dangerous than braving the forest alone. She has her cloak and her wits, will that be enough to survive?

 

Escape into this prequel to the Hidden Tales series, a gender bent retelling of a classic fairy tale.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dawn of Writing Publishing
• Release date: Mar 5, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393684411

Book preview

SOMETIMES, YOU JUST have to believe in the power of magic to get you out of trouble.

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And without further ado, happy reading!

Chapter 1

GET OVER HERE, BLANCHE! my mother Tara yelled with excitement when she saw me step inside my home. She half-ran over to me, yank on my hand. You got a package from grandma.

I gaped, my eyes nearly popping out of its sockets, grinning. Tara grabbed the package off the dining table and placing it into my hands.

I accepted the flat square package covered in simple white linen tied together with twine. My fingers ran over the rough linen, But my birthday isn’t—

Pish posh, can’t people give you gifts anytime they want? My mom rolled her eyes. Open it up!

I loosened the ties on the twine and pulled it open, revealing soft red garment. Gasping, my fingers touched the silky red fabric with a shine to it. I studied the beautiful embroidery work beaded with gold, black, and purple. The beads formed ornate patterns that resembled flowers. I sighed over the work my grandma made, draping the garment over my shoulders. It even has a hood and pockets! I said after feeling for them. I gave it a twirl around the room, putting on the hood. Something white floated to the ground.

There’s a note, Tara said, picking up the piece of paper. Blanche, my love. I hope this finds you well. Wear this whenever you go out. It will keep you warm and dry; safe, and if the need arises, make you invisible. I’ve also added a few other special things that I don’t want to say in writing. I built this cloak to last, and will grow with you. Come see me when you get the chance. With love, Grandma Teresa.

Tara put the paper down with a sigh, Mom outdid herself. Tara looked down at me with a stern stare. I inwardly flinched by the mom-stare. You treasure and keep it safe, you hear?

My cheeks reddened under the unwarranted chastisement. Honestly, I’m twelve, not six!

My fingers explored the beadwork on the cloak. Of course, mom. I am never taking it off.

.:.:.

True to my word, I hardly ever took the cloak off. Two months passed, and I still went everywhere in the city wearing the cloak. Shopping with my mom, I wore it. Eating in pubs, I wore it. Catching frogs in the pond in the woods, I wore it.

People recognized the cloak on me, whoever I went. I heard them whisperers of: It’s the Little Red! The cloak is so beautiful on her. I wonder if I can find that shade of red to make a dress out of... "I can sense some kind of magical aura