Blood Red Read Free Page B

neck, his knife pointing into the soft spot under her ear. She struggled against him.
    “Keep moving and I will slide this point in.” His voice was deep and husky.
    “You’d better do it, then, because once I’m loose I will hunt you down and kill you. Not even death could stop me.” Her voice was calm and cold.
    “Good thing I came to your rescue, then.”
    “What? What nonsense are you sprouting?”
    “This boy. He was going to kill you.”
    Red struggled against him. She stomped on his foot, trying to break his hold on her. He didn’t budge.
    “You’re a bloody liar!”
    “Am I? Look.” He moved her so she could look down at Jack’s body. “He has something of yours.”
    Lightening cracked the sky, illuminated the forest.
    She looked down at Jack’s hands. He held two of her longest and deadliest knives. She stopped struggling under The Wolf’s hold. She took deep breaths and calmed herself. She had been a stupid fool, thinking only with her loins.
    18

    Blood Red

    “He was an assassin sent to kill you.”
    “So what, you saved me so you could kill me yourself?”
    “No.” He released his hold, and pushed her forward out of arms reach.
    She turned and looked at him. “What do you mean, no?”
    “I’m not here to kill you.” He sheathed his knife into his leg holder.
    “Somehow I don’t believe you, you filthy, lying, murderous bastard.”
    “Believe what you want, Red, but I’m here to protect you.”
    Red sucked in a breath. “Don’t use my name. Don’t ever say it again. You have no right to utter it.”
    “Suit yourself. But right now we don’t have time for your petty grievances.”
    “Petty grievances? My grandma’s murder is not a petty grievance!” She launched at him, arms flying.
    She landed two solid blows to his face before he had a chance to deflect her next flurry of moves.
    She was quick. She had lightning-fast reflexes. She threw punch after punch at him, backing him up. He knew of her skills, had watched her over the years develop her ability. She was strong, fast, and mean.
    He had seen the carnage she left over the last seven years.
    Red threw a kick. It just missed his groin. He grabbed her leg and pulled her up. She landed hard on her back. Before he could advance, she had sprung back up again, throwing another kick. She missed again. The Wolf deflected her blows. This time, he 19

    Vivi Anna

    landed one of his own. Square on the jaw.
    Red saw white spots in her eyes. She felt herself go down. Her legs gave out and she fell to the ground.
    She blinked fiercely, trying not to close her eyes. The last thing she saw before she passed out was The Wolf’s translucent blue eyes staring down at her.
    20

    Blood Red

Chapter Three
    Red slowly opened her eyes, then clamped them closed when the room began to swim. Her head pounded like a hammer on a nail. Her jaw throbbed painfully. She tried to open her mouth. Pain sliced through her.
    She opened her eyes again, blinking back the tears welling from the pain. Finally, she was able to focus.
    She was on a bed. Her arms were aching. She tried to move them, but couldn’t. She was tied securely by the wrists to the brass headboard. Wriggling her hands, she tested the knot. It was a good one. Her wrists were crossed and tied together, then strung up to the rail. She wasn’t going anywhere.
    Red looked down at herself. Thank God, she was still dressed. At least he hadn’t taken that liberty. Not yet, anyway.
    She surveyed her surroundings.
    She was in a small, rustic cabin. The bed was in one corner. The stove, sink, and small table were in the opposite. On the far wall was the fireplace, a small fire burned. A worn sofa lay in front of it. On the other side was the door.
    21

    Vivi Anna

    The walls were adorned with mounted animal heads, and animal skins. This was a hunter’s cabin.
    She was definitely in The Wolf’s den.
    The door opened. He filled the doorway, shoulders touching the sides, and his head nearly touching