Writerly Wednesday: Part II - The Wolf Witch

Well, by an overwhelming majority, the gothic romance won the contest! (I partly put this down to my fiance and my best friend hijacking my Facebook page to talk about midgets, but still). So! Here's a snippet from The Wolf Witch, which is set in the same world as SHADOW CURSED and stars a mysterious wolf man and a bold gypsy girl. Behold:

There was a slight sound behind her, the rustle of leaves, and she spun, heart in her throat. A man crouched behind her, one hand pressed to the earth as if poised to spring at her. His dark hair fell around a rough, wild face, framing a wary expression. He was draped in ragged black furs that smelt of earth and blood. Elisa’s heart plummeted and soared again. He looked deadly, a hunter. But he was so breathtaking that, just as with the wolf earlier, Elisa couldn’t be afraid. She simply stared, entranced. His eyes were shaded but she knew he stared back. His gaze was a physical force, freezing her in place and heating her blood.

She wet her lips, almost afraid to break the silence between them. He was magnificent, like a wild animal himself, and she had no idea if he might attack or flee if she spoke. But she had to speak. She had to hear him speak. “Who are you?” she whispered.

He didn’t speak but rose instead, unfolding a tall, broad body and stepping towards her. Elisa stepped back instinctively and he stopped. “No harm,” he said. His voice was like smoke and gravel, rough and raw. A man who spoke rarely, she sensed.

“Who are you?” she repeated. “Did you bring me here?”

He nodded and gestured to the brook. “You needed drink.” He took another careful step forwards, as if she was prey he didn’t want to startle. Sunlight fell across his face and lit his eyes. Amber eyes, glowing like gems. Elisa gasped, hands flying to her mouth.

“You...You’re wulfen?”

He cocked his head to one side, a slight smile on his lips. “No harm,” he repeated.

Elisa wasn’t sure she believed him. There were tales about the wulfen. The gypsies told them round the campfires, safe in the shelter of the flames. Tales of the men who preferred to run as wolves, who haunted the mountains and forests and stalked both men and deer for food. Once more, Elisa cursed herself for leaving her knife behind. If he attacked, she was helpless. The first sliver of fear snaked through her. She wondered if she could outrun him.