The Crimson Cloak

By Aquila

Van has never met her grandmother, or any of her extended family before, so the last thing she expects is to be invited for a summer trip the day she turns 18. Now she's on her way to a world she never knew about, one that's just across the ocean and another through a doorway she didn't mean to walk through. Going home is now just a matter of mastering abilities she didn't know she had and learning to trust people she's only just met. All the while, a fairytale stalks through the darkness, hungry for mortal blood.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tellwell Talent
• Release date: Sep 16, 2023
• ISBN: 9780228894544

Aquila

Aquila is a lover of the fantastic and people, a writer from Saskatchewan and a passionate cat person. For her, the writing of the Grimm Chronicles began as a way to cope with her struggles with the world around her and her personal demons. She hopes that in sharing her work she can reach others who are struggling with similar issues and offer them the same hope her writing offered her.

Book preview

Copyright © 2023 by Aquila

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Tellwell Talent

www.tellwell.ca

ISBN

978-0-2288-9453-7 (Hardcover)

978-0-2288-9452-0 (Paperback)

978-0-2288-9454-4 (eBook)

This book is dedicated to Asha Marinetti.

Without whom, these stories may never have been finished.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: To Grandmother’s House

Chapter 2: The Beginning

Chapter 3: Wolfhiem

Chapter 4: Werewolves and Witches

Chapter 5: Lost

Chapter 6: A Nameless Village

Chapter 7: Waiting

Chapter 8: Return to Wolfhiem

Chapter 9: Allies

Chapter 10: Rescue

Chapter 11: Tala

Chapter 12: The Wolf

Chapter 13: The Return

Chapter 14: Grandmother

Chapter 15: Home

Chapter 16: Family

Chapter 17: Caden

Chapter 18: Old friends

Chapter 1:

To Grandmother’s House

Van had never met her grandmother.

She’d heard of her, certainly. Though her mother did not often speak of the woman. Living so far away meant their relationship was tenuous at best and as such, being sent to her home for an indeterminate amount of time was not Van’s idea of a good vacation. Still, perhaps she’d be surprised.

She sighed, resting her head against the cold window pane. Outside the train-car, a misty afternoon was settling in. Her mind wandered as she watched the world pass her by and she wondered how much longer it would be before they arrived in Ellwangen. It seemed rather childish to ask though, so she stayed quiet. At least until she noticed a small winged creature making moves towards her bagel. That would not stand. She waved over a waitress and the creature took off with one last longing look at the warm cheesy bread.

Kann ich Ihnen helfen? The waitress asked brightly.

Entschuldigen müssen, She cringed at how she sounded, My German isn’t very good.

The woman waved off her concern, smile never faltering. That’s fine, I’m good with languages. How can I help?

Ah yes…She’d already fulfilled her purpose in chasing off the fairy. Why could she have been, I was wondering how much longer we’ll be.

Oh, we should reach Ellwangen in about an hour. Did you need anything in the meantime? Something to drink?

Her cheerfulness was somewhat grating and Van bit back a sarcastic remark. No thank you. She replied amiably.

Ok then. Call me if you need anything and have a nice trip! She chirped before turning away. Van watched her go, wondering if she really was so cheerful or just as dead inside as any other person in customer service. The fairy fluttered around other tables, looking for easily thieved snacks. It had occurred to her that she should say or do something about that, but it didn’t seem to be causing any real trouble. In any case, she had learned long ago that mentioning what she saw was rarely a good idea.

Waiting for her by the station exit was a young man dressed in dark green, a cap perched on his dirty-blonde hair. He held a sign with her name spelt out in black sharpie, Evangilene Zauberin. She navigated through the crowd to stand in front of him. You’re here for me, right?

He smiled. If you are Luciana Zauberin’s granddaughter, then yes I am.

It’s nice to meet you then, She offered with a tentative smile, I’m Van.

He seemed confused for a moment before he nodded. As you wish miss. I am Hans Baldolf, the chauffeur.

Van raised an eyebrow, A chauffeur? Really? I guess if she’s too rich to pick me up herself… Her voice trailed off at the last bit, mouth running away with her. Thankfully, Hans didn’t seem to have heard. He was more focused on her small pile of luggage, a curious expression on his face. She immediately felt self-conscious and protested when he moved to start putting them into the trunk of the car. He brushed off her concern and asked her to wait in the car.

She loitered a moment before sliding into the back seat and pulling out her I-pod. In all honesty, part of her was grateful to be avoiding further awkward conversation.

She had just started her travel playlist when Hans re-entered the car. He smiled at her briefly before starting up the engine and heading out. They had been on the road for about ten minutes before anyone spoke. Van surprised herself by being the first, a question had been dancing about her brain for a while but she wasn’t quite sure how to approach it.

So, uh, Mr. Baldolf. Could I ask you something?

He answered after a moment, accent carefully controlled and a little rough. Of course, Miss.Van. Ask away.

I was wondering what my grandmother is like…

Mrs. Zauberin is an exceptional lady. He replied without missing a beat.

She frowned, not exactly what she was looking for. Nice to know he thought she was exceptional but that told her exactly nothing about her as a person. Can you tell me anything specific about her?

Specific? Well, she is intelligent, noble, kind…

Huh, she sounded lovely. How odd. Anything I should watch out for?

I’m sorry?

Van sighed as she collected her words. Well, she can’t be all good. So, if I’m going to spend the summer with her, I’d like to know a bit about her. And how to avoid starting a fight she thought, picking at the edge of her sweater.

I see… well there are a few things which you should know. First you must listen and pay attention whenever she speaks to you. Mrs.Zauberin does not like to repeat herself so it would be best if you just paid attention the first time. He explained with some difficulty.

She nodded, pretty much what she’d been expecting so far. Like most of her teachers then. Ok then, so I need to pay attention. Great. Anything else you can tell me?

Another long pause. Potentially a bad sign, except he did have a language barrier to go through as well. Van was beginning to feel bad about her lack of German understanding. Finally, he replied.

Mrs.Zauberin does not like to be disobeyed. She rarely gives orders but if she does, you’d do best to simply follow her direction.

Ah. Wonderful, she couldn’t help the bite in her voice as she replied. Well, I’ll be sure to keep that in mind, She hummed as another thought occurred to her, Will there be anyone else my age there?

Hans considered that, Your cousin Freida will be there, but I do not think you two will get along.

Van scowled; it was hard not to read into that. Why not? We haven’t even met each other yet.

Frieda is…difficult… He replied hesitantly.

…Uh…Ok then. She couldn’t keep the confusion from her voice. Freida had always been a bit of an enigma. The daughter of her mother’s brother and her grandmother’s only living blood relation. Apparently, she worked for their grandmother, doing what Van had no idea, but she had hoped they would get along well. It was disheartening to hear that Hans thought they wouldn’t.

Approximately an hour later they reached their destination. A huge gothic style mansion situated on top of a small hill and surrounded by a small forest of dark trees. Bushes lined the front walkway, leaves slick with misty rain. Van found herself amused by the almost comically eerie aesthetic. Just as they were unpacking the car the front door was flung open and out stepped a girl with long blonde curls and a perfect hourglass figure, which she accented by wearing a tight white and beige dress with a pink jacket. Van disliked her immediately. The girl reminded her far too much of the ‘mean girls’ at her old school. It was funny how right stereotypes could be. She rushed down the stairs talking loudly in German to someone on a pink cell phone the whole time, at least until she saw Van. She cocked her head with a smug smile as she looked over. Oh… you must be that Canadian cousin, right? Her pronunciation was perfect.

And you must be Freida. That explained Hans’ comment.

The girl gazed at her critically, locking eyes with her for a moment before turning away. Frieda had blue eyes like the sea, with a similar quality to Van’s. That caught her off guard, she’d never met anyone besides her father with eyes like her’s. Obviously. I can hardly say I remember your name though, but then, you must be used to that by now right little girl?

Shaken out of her thoughts by the insult Van scowled. Excuse me?

The other girl smirked, So sorry honey but I’ve got things to do. Important things. So, we’ll chat later, mm’k?

Van took a step back, crossing her arms. Oh please, don’t let me get in the way of your incredibly important business. She returned scathingly. But Freida had already turned away, chattering on the phone once again as she made her way down to the car.

Hans placed the last of her bags at her feet. I’m sorry Miss Van but I must go. The butler will help you the rest of the way.

Van smiled understandingly, shyly tucking a chocolate strand behind her ear. Just Van, really. Thank you..uh, Hans? Sorry, I’ll get it eventually. I hope we get the chance to chat again later.

He smiled in return. Of course. I-

Hans! We need to go! I’m not getting any younger here! Frieda yelled from the car, interrupting whatever her newly introduced acquaintance was going to say.

Well… difficult… that’s one way to describe her… She muttered in irritation, going red when she realized he had heard her.

Hans laughed, Like I said I do not think you two will get along very well. But I must go, Good day Van.

She waved after him and glared at Freida as the car disappeared down the driveway. He seemed nice; she thought pleasantly as she mounted the steps. Freida on the other hand was decidedly less so. Though her eyes were a curious connection Van would like to look into. If nothing else she had a suspicion that the other girl already knew about her contacts. She hadn’t had them for all that long.

As she reached the top of the stairs, the door was swiftly opened by an older gentleman in a tailored suit. He greeted her as Mr.Karsten, the butler. After helping her collect her bags and ushering her inside he called for the maid, a girl named Ilse Noll. Ilse didn’t look that much older than Van and she wondered why the girl was working as a maid. After ordering Ilse to put Van’s luggage in her room (and rather rudely as well, in Van’s opinion) the butler then offered to give her a full tour.

There was a lavish dining hall and roomy kitchen. A parlor for receiving guests, a swimming pool, two studios, and at least 10 guest rooms were pointed out as places she could explore. Lastly, he led her to the far west wing of the house where they entered a library from her dreams. There were shelves built into the walls and rolling ladders to reach new levels. A circular balcony ringed the edge creating another level full of books. The domed glass ceiling let the sunlight in during the day and in the night, Van assumed that the vintage style lamps would provide ample lighting. Mr.Karsten walked over to the nearest table and picked up a large book. As he handed it to her Van read the cover, ‘Grimm’s Fairytale’s’.

She looked at him questioningly, Fairytales?

Mrs. Zauberin offers the chance to read this book to every relative who comes here. It is one of the original copies written by the Grimm brothers themselves. He explained with an air of importance.

What other relatives? Van thought curiously. Well… I guess, thank you? She said and he simply nodded as if it was an expected reaction. Ok, then, uptight much?

Now, if you would follow me, your room should be ready.

Van rolled her eyes at the surreality of her situation. Sure. Lead the way…

They soon came to her door. Mr. Karsten suggested she drop the book in her room along with a small calendar before following him down for dinner and the small social that had been organized in honor of her visit. She stared at him for a moment, before tossing everything on the nearest surface and dashing after him. Her grandmother could have warned her there’d be a party!

By the time she got back to her room it was close to eleven. The big grandfather clock at the end of the hall chimed as she got out of the shower, dressing in her warm flannel pajamas and climbing into the four poster. She spread herself across it first, enjoying the plush pillows and wide space all to herself. Flopping back, she found herself staring at the dark ceiling and tracing shadows instead of sleeping. She sighed, rolling onto her side. She looked over, she still hadn’t unpacked. The fairytale book was still on the side table though, so she picked it up.

The first tale she turned to was a familiar one. A little girl in a red cloak on her way to her grandmother’s. The story was different from what she was used to, darker, but enjoyable nonetheless. Perhaps that was why she hardly noticed when she nodded off. Eyes growing heavy and fluttering closed for a moment.

Her eyes opened slowly, then suddenly. She sat in the middle of a clearing, a ring of oddly marked stones surrounding her. A grove of tall dark trees extended out into the darkness. Their smooth bark seemed to glow with an eerie light where it reflected the hunter’s moon. At her feet a silvery mist curled like fingers amongst the trees but no wind brushed her chilled skin. Van stood and looked around, an uneasy feeling