A Guardian and Huntsman Relationship Grows

A retelling of a classic fairy tale that takes a completely different path over the river and through the Wood...

Excerpt from 

"Ruby Hood, A Twistedly True Tale"

By Aspen Hite

With the birth records in his left hand, Dylan sprinkled a pinch of the truth powder over them and chanted the words of the spell, “Communicio, Tellisco, Vulgedi. Then he brushed the powder away. This was supposed to reveal only the truth of the records, but they were still shuffling nonsense.

“Why isn’t this working?” Ruby fiddled with her ponytail. She was tired and jittery - too much coffee, not enough food, “Maybe we should take a break?”

“We’ll find a way, Ruby…” Dylan said loud and clear. Inside her head.

A light flashed in the room. It was quick, if Ruby had blinked, she would’ve missed it. Every fiber of her body stood at attention, except her eyes, which ricocheted around the kitchen. She stared at Dylan. Neither of them spoke.

“Did I just hear you in my head?” Ruby heard her own voice echo inside Dylan’s head. “What’s happening?”

“A Guardian and a Huntsman have a mental telepathic connection.” Dylan’s voice was a soft comfort in her mind. “Looks like I really am your Huntsman.”

“And this just happens?” Ruby held her breath. “Even short-term cases, like ours?”

“Not usually.”

“I see,” she said. Carful with her thoughts, Ruby forced a smile. Surely, hers was a unique situation. “Looks like we’re stuck together for the time being, then.”

“Indeed.” Dylan smiled and gave her an exaggerated bow, “My Guardian.”

But before Ruby could chastise him for his formal tone, even in her head, her inner vision transported her to the edge of the Wood. She glanced at the clock. “We have company. A Wolf…no…Wolfs. Mother and son.”

“What are they doing here?”

“You’re guess is as good as mine,” Ruby glanced at the phone, wishing she’d had a heads up. Her excitement to see Kellan was shrouded in worry, “that woman makes me so nervous.”

“Me, too,” Dylan agreed. In his head.