IAIN KELLY

IN THE VEILED LIGHT

In the veiled light he looks magnificent.

He stands out from the gathered well-off, ignoring the art around them.

She wills him to look her way.

For too long she has desired from afar. For too long he has ignored her.

Tonight he will not escape her web. She knows his fiancée is out of town. She knows the dress she wears is one that appeals to his taste.

She checks herself, a deep breath and moves towards him.

As she strides, the dappled light casts shadows across her face, her smile shifts from glowing to malevolent and back again.


roger-bultot-art-exhibit
Copyright Roger Bultot

Written as part of the Friday Fictioneers challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).

To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

100 responses to “IN THE VEILED LIGHT”

  1. James Avatar

    I see she’s oiling her traps.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Very much so

      Liked by 1 person

  2. neilmacdon Avatar

    I’m wondering to who does she look malevolent?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Towards him, and more generally too. Think Black Widow Spider…

      Like

  3. J Hardy Carroll Avatar

    Subtle menace here. Well done

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      He should – head for the exit before she even gets to him…!

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Blue Ivy Avatar

    Whew. That last sentence is so naughty. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Haha, thank you 😉

      Like

  5. Fandango Avatar

    Can he resist her wily ways?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I do hope he can or he’s a goner!

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) Avatar

    I’m sure that he can resist… let he be bitter knowing she has failed.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It’s nice to think he would. Thanks Bjorn

      Like

  7. magarisa Avatar

    Clever references to light and shadows to create the menacing atmosphere.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  8. Dale Avatar
    Dale

    If he doesn’t see it, he’s cooked…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Even if he does, can he resist – men are so easily led… 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Dale Avatar
        Dale

        I didn’t want to assume… 😉

        Liked by 1 person

  9. Alice Audrey Avatar

    She could be a Black Widow twice over.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Definitely. Thanks for reading 🙂

      Like

  10. Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist Avatar

    She is weaving a tangled web which I hope he can escape. Romance with menance.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Irene

      Liked by 1 person

  11. michael1148humphris Avatar
    michael1148humphris

    I believe his art is a trap to catch her. Netted by her own web. Lovely

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Interesting perspective. Thanks Michael

      Like

  12. Keith's Ramblings Avatar

    A bit of a cougar methinks! Nice one. Have a great year Iain, keep up the good work and thank you for your loyal support.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Keith, same back at you!

      Like

  13. Christine Goodnough Avatar

    A femme fatale indeed. I do hope he’s dreaming of his fiancee right now.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Hopefully he has her at the front of his mind. Thanks Christine.

      Like

  14. Jan Vanek Avatar

    I loved the imagery, especially in your last sentence. Beautiful writing, and I thought she was quite Black Widow-like!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Jan, glad you saw that in her.

      Like

  15. anuragbakhshi Avatar

    But only time will tell who is the predator, and who is the prey!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      She certainly believes she is in control, but is she?

      Liked by 1 person

      1. anuragbakhshi Avatar

        Eggjaktly. The tables, as we all know, can turn very quickly.

        Liked by 1 person

  16. Natasha Avatar

    A predator at play. Hope he gathers his wits and runs…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Natasha, hopefully he is strong enough to resist her charm.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Vivian Zems Avatar

    She must be a succubus! Someone, warn him!😨

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      He’s such an innocent…!

      Like

  18. draliman Avatar

    She sounds like a real black widow. I hope he stays strong!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I can’t decide, but I’m thinking he might not make it out alive..

      Liked by 1 person

  19. justjoyfulness Avatar

    Hell hath no fury …… He had it coming 🙂 Great build-up and word pictures, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much.

      Like

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Neel, appreciated.

      Like

  20. Sandra Avatar

    She sounds very sinister, very intense.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I think it may not be her first time.

      Like

  21. Liz Young Avatar

    This is an excellent portrayal of a predator.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  22. Clare Hempstead Avatar

    Ooh, sinister! I like it!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Clare 🙂

      Like

  23. rochellewisoff Avatar

    Dear Iain,

    I hope he sees the trickery and runs. Nicely done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Rochelle.

      Like

  24. J. E. Kennedy Avatar

    I love the shifting face. Very nicely done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much.

      Like

  25. pennygadd51 Avatar

    She should beware lest this prey bites back!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      True Penny, perhaps he is not so innocent a victim as he appears.

      Liked by 1 person

  26. Martin Cororan Avatar
    Martin Cororan

    Dating was a lot simpler / less pretentious when I were a lad…

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It’s a confusing world out there now.

      Like

  27. plaridel Avatar

    beware of a woman scorned. by this time, i think she has run out of options.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It’s her final play for sure.

      Like

  28. JS Brand Avatar

    Very intriguing. Having just read another of your stories, Iain, I’m wondering:
    – is she the vampire who’s been convalescing in Scandinavia?
    and
    – are you developing a “thing” about lustful females?
    No need to answer – I’m happy to stay in the dark.
    Good story.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Haha thank you. Well, lustful females make for interesting characters and ‘villans’, and I was certainly aiming for a vampire-like character, but basing it on human reality rather than the supernatural.

      Like

  29. Kelvin M. Knight's blog Avatar

    The things a black widow has to do these days to flirt… 😎 Nice menace in this one, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Haha, thanks Kelvin 🙂

      Like

  30. Laurie Bell Avatar

    Ooooooo terrific piece.
    I can sense her hunger

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Laurie 😉

      Liked by 1 person

  31. Moon Avatar
    Moon

    Wonderfully written. She looks tough, I am concerned about the gentleman and his fiancé.
    A Happy New Year to you and your family, Iain.🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      And to you Moon, thank you 🙂

      Like

  32. kindredspirit23 Avatar

    The word “malevolent” even sounds malevolent…
    Mine: https://kindredspirit23.wordpress.com/2018/01/05/disappearing-act/
    Scott

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It’s a great word. Thanks Scott.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. kindredspirit23 Avatar

        It is a great word!

        Liked by 1 person

  33. Susan Avatar

    I hope he was paying attention to her expression. He might not last the night. Good story

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much Susan.

      Like

  34. Sascha Darlington Avatar

    It sounds like the perfect trap, unless he’s loyal and disappoints her. He’s hoping.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      He may surprise us yet! Thanks Sascha.

      Like

  35. Sascha Darlington Avatar

    Oops….that’s supposed to be : here’s hoping.

    Liked by 1 person

  36. Fatima Fakier Avatar

    I see more than lust at play. Shifting face of malevolences makes she wants more than just his heart. Well written, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Fatima – she does indeed!

      Liked by 1 person

  37. Dan Bohn Avatar

    I’m praying for the man, “Please let true love win out.” I too liked the word malevolent

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much Dan.

      Like

  38. patriciaruthsusan Avatar

    Ooh, evil on the move. She’d give a Black Widow competition. Good writing, Iain. 🙂 — Suzanne

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Suzanne.

      Liked by 1 person

  39. Dahlia Avatar

    I could see the whole thing happening right in front of me! Awesome

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Dahlia 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  40. granonine Avatar

    Yikes! Run, run, as fast you can!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      And yet he doesn’t seem to be hurrying away…

      Liked by 1 person

  41. Sarah Ann Avatar
    Sarah Ann

    She’d better stay out of the shadows if she wants her daring plan to work. Poor bloke. I don’t think he stands a chance.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Hopefully he sees her coming. Thank you Sarah Ann.

      Like

  42. rachelmalik99 Avatar
    rachelmalik99

    I wouldn’t like to meet her! I especially liked the ‘gathered, well-off’. This image seems to have brought out the sinister and strange in many of us!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Rachel – perhaps that is a sign of good art, that it provokes such differing ideas. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  43. subroto Avatar

    Maybe he might be the one that got away. Nicely done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Let’s hope so…

      Like

  44. Dawn M. Miller Avatar

    I feel a little scared for him.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      And so you should!

      Liked by 1 person

  45. Woman walking Max Avatar

    Oooh, creepy, in a romantic way ! Felt I was in the crowd watching this happen. Nice one.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 🙂

      Like

  46. Varad Avatar

    Can’t see this ending well for the guy. Nice, dark tale, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Varad

      Like

  47. BLACK WIDOW – Iain Kelly Avatar

    […] This story hopefully stands on it’s own merit, but is also a continuation of my entry from last week’s prompt: IN THE VEILED LIGHT. […]

    Like

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