As the conversation between Cinderella, Hansel, and Gretel continued, Snow remained close to Red, her focus shifting back to the wound that had been troubling her. The healing elixir had helped, but something still felt off. Red's complexion was pale, and a sheen of sweat glistened on her brow.

“Red, I need to take another look at that wound,” Snow said, her voice laced with concern. “I’m not convinced it’s just a regular injury.”

Red shifted uncomfortably but nodded, wincing as she lifted her shirt again. The gash along her side was still red and angry, but now Snow noticed something else—dark veins creeping outward from the wound, a clear sign of poison.

“This isn’t good,” Snow murmured, her brow furrowing. “You’ve been poisoned. We need to act fast.”

“What do you mean?” Red asked, her voice a mix of alarm and determination. “What can we do?”

Snow’s mind raced, recalling the teachings of her vampiric nature. “I can drain the poison from your blood. It’s risky, but it might be the quickest way to save you.”

Red’s eyes widened in surprise. “You want to bite me? Isn’t that… dangerous?”

“It’s a risk I’m willing to take,” Snow replied, her expression serious. “I can control it, and it’s the only way to ensure the poison doesn’t spread further. Trust me, Red. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Red hesitated, the weight of the decision heavy in the air. But as she looked into Snow’s eyes, she saw the fierce determination and care that lay beneath her calm exterior. “Okay,” she finally said, her voice steady. “If you think it will help, then do it.”

Snow nodded, her heart racing with the gravity of the moment. She leaned closer, her fangs elongating as she prepared herself. “Just breathe, Red. I’ll be quick.”

With a swift motion, Snow bit into Red’s arm, her fangs piercing the skin with practiced precision. Red felt a sharp sting, but it quickly faded into a warm sensation as Snow began to draw the poison from her bloodstream. The connection between them deepened, and Red could feel the ebb and flow of energy as Snow worked to cleanse her.

Snow focused intently, her blood magic swirling around them, amplifying the process and ensuring that the poison was being extracted without harming Red further. “You’re doing great,” Snow murmured, her voice soothing. “Just a little longer.”

Red’s breath quickened, but she forced herself to stay calm. The warmth radiating from Snow was comforting, and she could feel the poison being pulled from her body, replaced by a sense of clarity and strength.

After what felt like an eternity, Snow withdrew, licking her lips as she released the last remnants of poison. Red looked at her, a mix of gratitude and awe in her eyes. “Thank you, Snow. I didn’t realize how bad it was.”

Snow wiped her mouth and nodded, her expression softening. “You’re safe now. Just rest. You fought hard, and you need to recover.”

As Red leaned back against the wall, she felt a wave of relief wash over her. The poison had been a dark shadow, but with Snow’s help, it was gone. The bond between them had deepened, forged in the fires of battle and trust.

****

As Red settled against the wall, feeling the effects of the poison dissipate, the wolf spirit within her stirred, its voice echoing in her mind. “You should tell her,” it urged, a low growl laced with urgency. “She deserves to know the truth.”

Red glanced at Snow, who was watching her with a mixture of concern and curiosity. The atmosphere felt charged, as if the very air around them was waiting for her to speak. “About the wolf spirit?” Red asked, her voice steady but tinged with vulnerability.

Snow nodded, her red eyes filled with encouragement. “If you’re ready, Red. I want to understand.”

Taking a deep breath, Red began to share the story that had shaped her life. “The wolf spirit is bound to me because of my past… with a woodsman. He was my first love.” Her voice softened as she spoke, memories flooding back like a distant dream.

“He was brave, skilled, and kind. We would spend our days exploring the forests, hunting together, and dreaming of a future. But everything changed one fateful night when we encountered a dark creature—much like the Wraith Beast. It was a beast that preyed on the fears of the forest, and it attacked us.”

Snow leaned closer, her interest piqued. “What happened?”

Red’s expression darkened, the pain of the memory etched into her features. “We fought bravely, but the creature was powerful. In the heat of battle, I was injured, and he… he sacrificed himself to save me.” Tears threatened to spill from her eyes, but she held them back, steeling herself against the weight of her past.

“The wolf spirit was bound to me in that moment. It was meant to protect me, to give me strength, but it also serves as a reminder of my loss. I can feel its presence—its power—but it comes with the burden of grief.”

Snow’s expression softened, her heart aching for Red. “That’s a heavy burden to carry. But it’s also a testament to your strength. You’ve turned that pain into something powerful.”

The wolf spirit chimed in, its voice filled with warmth. “She fights not just for herself, but for those she loves. That is what makes her a true warrior.”

Red felt a swell of emotion at the wolf’s words, her heart swelling with gratitude. “I never wanted to forget him, but I also didn’t want to be defined by that loss. The wolf spirit helps me remember, but it also pushes me to fight against the darkness that took him from me.”

Snow reached out, placing a comforting hand on Red’s shoulder. “You’re not alone in this. We’re all fighting for something, and we’ll stand by you. Together, we can face whatever comes next.”

With that reassurance, Red felt a renewed sense of purpose. The bond between her and Snow had deepened, forged by shared stories and unspoken understanding. They were allies, friends, and now, a family bound by their struggles and triumphs.

****

As the weight of Red's story lingered in the air, Snow felt a surge of vulnerability and connection. She took a deep breath, knowing this was the right moment to share her own truth. “Red,” she began softly, “I think it’s time I tell you how I became a living vampire.”

Red turned her full attention to Snow, her amber eyes filled with curiosity and empathy. “I’d like to hear it.”

Snow nodded, her gaze drifting to the flickering torchlight as she recalled her past. “It all started with my mother. She was once a powerful sorceress, but her ambition twisted her heart. She sought to gain immortality and power at any cost, even if it meant sacrificing her own daughter.”

Red’s expression darkened, sensing the pain in Snow’s voice. “What did she do?”

“She performed dark rituals, trying to drain my life force to fuel her own magic. I was just a child, trapped in a web of her ambition. But I was saved by the seven dwarves,” Snow explained, a hint of gratitude in her tone. “They found me and took me in, teaching me about magic and combat. They became my family.”

“What happened next?” Red asked, leaning in closer.

“When I was old enough to understand the true nature of my mother’s power, I knew I had to confront her. It was a deadly battle,” Snow continued, her voice steady but filled with emotion. “The dwarves stood by my side, fighting fiercely against my mother’s dark magic. But it was my decision to end her reign of terror once and for all.”

Red watched Snow intently, captivated by the intensity of her story. “You killed her?”

Snow nodded, her expression resolute. “I did. I had to. In that moment, I made a choice. I channeled all the magic I had learned from the dwarves and confronted her. I struck her down with the very magic she had tried to use against me. It was a moment of clarity and power, but it also shattered my innocence.”

Red felt a pang of sympathy for Snow, understanding the burden of such a choice. “That must have been incredibly difficult.”

“It was,” Snow admitted, her gaze distant. “But in that moment, I also became something else—a living vampire. My mother’s twisted magic transformed me, but I emerged immune to all the weaknesses that plague ordinary vampires. I can walk in the light, and I am free from the chains of her dark legacy.”

Red’s admiration for Snow deepened. “You turned your pain into strength. That’s incredible.”

Snow smiled faintly, but there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. “It’s a double-edged sword. I carry the weight of my past, but I also have the power to protect those I love. Just like you, Red. We both fight against the darkness in our own ways.”

The bond between them solidified, forged in shared experiences and the understanding of their struggles. Red felt a sense of kinship with Snow, knowing they were both warriors shaped by their pasts, fighting for a brighter future.

“Thank you for sharing that with me, Snow,” Red said sincerely. “We’ll face whatever comes next together. We’re stronger as a team.”

Snow nodded, her resolve shining through. “Together, we can overcome anything."