As she jerked her head in various directions, the room glowed with candlelight. The woman swept across the room, her scarlet velvet cloak rustling softly behind her.
In her hands she carried a box, the wood worn and old, but a feel of immense power surrounded it, and around her neck hung a golden key on a thin metal chain.
She strode over to a polished wooden table, and set the box down on its smooth, shiny surface. Then she paused, and surveyed the room.
It was clear. There was no-one there with her, but the palace itself was not empty, for noises erupted from the floor below, noises of joy, celebration and welcoming. This stranger knew the point of the celebration. It was the whole reason she was there.
She was convinced, and relieved that she was completely alone. Otherwise, she thought, I would have to use a Vanishal Charm.
Her face was a delicate oval shape, smooth and pure, but it also seemed thin, and her skin was white. A raven black waterfall of hair fell around her face, a startling contrast to her pale, ghost-like complexion, and her eyes, two great emeralds, shined brightly and calmly, framed by thick black lashes.
The lips were blood red, and had now curved into a wicked smile, as she slipped her hand inside the cloak, and produced a roll of parchment bound by a scarlet ribbon. Then, with her other hand, she removed the chain from
her neck, kneeled down and placed both the items beside the box. She continued to smile, with the knowledge that her plan was, hopefully, going to succeed.
Suddenly, a loud, cheery male voice echoed through the corridors outside the room. The woman leapt up, her face slightly startled, but she seemed relatively calm and composed at the same time, knowing she was still completely safe.
As the voice grew louder, and the footsteps nearer and nearer to the door, she pulled the hood over her head, and with a flick of her fingers, all the candles in the room were put out, all except the one that sat on the table alongside the box. Its light glowed in an eerie, peculiar fashion, and allowed one to see only what lay on the table.
Then, the footsteps abruptly stopped right outside the door.
A key was turning.
She moved backwards, into the darkness; there she stood, cloaked not only in the red velvet that concealed her identity, but with an aura of menace, and evil intent.
As the heavy wooden door started to creak open, her lips once again curved into their devilish smile, and her eyes glittered with evil, forming a sinister expression to take over her face.
Pressing a gem on her ring, she vanished.
***
Yay, I'm halfway through my prologue!
Please enjoy,
Teigan x
