"Image: Angela Holmes"
In my forthcoming YA novel, "Rosewolf," winter themes abound.
Thirteen year old, Rose Tamlyn wakes on Christmas morning to find the gift of a coat of blood red velvet at the foot of her bed. She is instructed to wear it on nights of the full moon and follow the path where it leads.
The coat, the moon the path take her into the dark forest, into the outer reaches of time to a time when Lady Lianna Hedgewicke, a student of sorcery taught by Dr. John Dee, was imprisoned at Winterslewe for the crime of lycanthropy.
ROSEWOLF
Here is an excerpt from "Chapter Three: Blood Moon."
"Rose followed the path across a little stream and arrived at a tall, black, wrought iron gate.
On the other side was an enormous manor house, high and noble looking, with deeply carved gables, balconies, and tall, gloomy towers. The windows were dark. The house seemed to be closed and sleeping, dreaming perhaps of winding stairs leading nowhere, ruined gardens, and rooms of old dolls living in smaller versions of the house. The atmosphere was disorienting. It felt as if everything were reversed, like a reflection in a concave mirror.
The front door opened, and a tall, regal lady emerged, wrapped in fur. She stood still on the walkway looking at Rose. One jeweled hand clutched the soft fur collar over her heart, drawing attention to her perfect oval face with its large, heavy-lidded eyes. Her white blonde hair was piled high on her head in the same fashion as blonde the lady in the miniature painting. Though her glowing skin was clear and empty of lines, she seemed as old as time.
The lady smiled, but her eyes held secrets. When she spoke, her deep, hollow voice sent shivers down Rose's spine.
"At last you arrive at Winterslewe. Welcome. I have waited for a long time for you to come. Unless I am mistaken, I believe your name is Rose Tamlyn."
Rose gripped the bars of the gate. She knew she should run, but her curiosity was too great. She looked for the lady's hands, but they were hidden in the long fur of her coat. Rose's struggle must have been apparent to the lady, who smiled more brightly at her.
"Cat got your tongue?"
"Y-y-es." Rose cleared her throat. "Did you give me that letter? And this c-c-coat? Ma'am?"
"Yes. I did. Now that you have arrived, it is up to you whether you let yourself in, Rose. Remember the key? It fits the lock to that gate that you grip so tightly. Let yourself in Rose, for I am not allowed beyond the gate. Use the key and come inside. We shall have tea. I have already prepared it."
Rose felt around in the coat pocket until she found the key. It was heavy and fancifully carved to match the decorations on the gate and the tall railings of the fence.
The lock fell open, and the gate swung inward as if caught by a strong wind. The way forward shone brightly. Rose was at the lady's side so quickly, she leapt back in shock. The smells of bark and fur and musk assailed her. The lady continued to smile and held out her slender, jeweled hand with its pointed red nails and her very long forefinger, for Rose to take.
Rose accepted the lady's hand and the gate clanged shut behind her.
"Welcome, Rose. Now you enter my humble home of Winterslewe. It is named so because, here, it is always winter. Do you know who I am, Rose?'
The lady walked slowly toward the house as she spoke. She seemed to drift above the ground so smooth was her step.
"No, I'm not sure.... Who are you, Ma'am?" Rose felt her throat tighten as she spoke.
"I am your grandmother, Lady Lianna Hedgewicke, Rose. Have you not heard about me?"'
The whiteness of winter, its spareness and coldness have long been associated with death and therefore the world of spirits. Werewolves are spiritual forms that may take possession of the human minds and bodies to carry out deeds of violence and mayhem, lust and gluttony and theft. The werewolves in "Rosewolf" are no different.
But how does a young innocent like Rose get involved in such an evil cult? The key lies in the seductive otherworldly glamour of Grandma, Lady Lianna Hedgewicke. Is she a fairy godmother who will make Rose's life more exciting, or an evil queen who plots her destruction? As Rose struggles with her attraction and revulsion for her young-old, human-wolf Grandma, Rose slips under her spell and finds out much too late, that there is no turning back.
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Post from: WINTERSPELLS: A Magical Life in Faery Witchcraft
