The Ladies of Horror
Picture-Prompt Writing Challenge!

The Sacrifice 
by Kathleen McCluskey 

As James lay in the darkness, his thoughts drifted to the beautiful Isabelle. He had longed for her for an eternity, now was the time that his beloved would be brought to him. The anticipation was almost too much, he felt as though he was vibrating. He was always prone to emotions of extremes; rage and love were among the ones that he felt the most often. His pendulum of sentiments swung drastically seldomly pausing at the middle ground.

Isabelle gazed at herself in her full-length mirror that was on back of the door. She spun in a circle as her flowing white gown blew out around her. She smiled. She glanced up at the mirror as she sat at her vanity table. She primped and applied lipstick, she hoped James would like the color. Isabelle knew of James’ love for her. She had hoped he would never find another and today he would be all hers. She thought to herself, “What a curious way to celebrate my twenty-fifth birthday, again.” She pulled her veil down over her face, stood and exited her cabin

As the sky began to show the crimson colors of dusk, Isabelle followed the path that led to James. The sisters of the flock lined the pathway as they lit candles and followed her. The trees bowed and swayed while their shadows danced in the moonlight, their timbers groaning. After a short walk, Isabelle had come to the junction of paths where James’ was waiting for her. He smiled and approached her.

James held Isabelle’s hands as the Reverend Mother placed her hands upon theirs. She smiled and looked at James then nodded at Isabelle. The cleric lifted Isabelle’s veil and stepped back. The trees continued to sing their song of the forest as the sisters lit torches around the couple. Isabelle threw her head back and sank her sharp, jagged teeth into James’ neck. He collapsed in a heap. Isabelle lifted James with one hand as she bit her own lip. Her black blood oozed out as she placed James’ face onto it. He was awake within moments. The sisters all cheered. James’ offering would appease the dark gods for one more year. Next season it would be his job to find a worthy sacrifice. Now it was time to soar into the town and remind the inhabitants who lived in the forest. The townspeople knew what lived in the forest. They also knew that another contribution would be needed in a year; another year of protection from things far more dangerous than a vampire coven.

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Fiction © Copyright Kathleen McCluskey
Image courtesy of Pixabay.com 

More from Kathleen McCluskey:

The Long Fall: Book 1: The Inception of Horror

Lucifer always cunning and intelligent challenges father to a battle of wits. Being the angel of light he casts a judgemental eye upon mankind. He begins a war with his fellow archangels and God. Michael, along with his siblings defend their home and mankind from their deranged brother. Broad swords and hand to hand combat drench heaven in blood. The four apocalyptic steeds are released, each having their own destructive power. Betrayal and lust are at biblical levels. Understand the very creation of evil and the consequenses that transpire in the first of THE LONG FALL series.

Available on Amazon!