sanguineangels Read Free Page B

as soon as she was clear of the stage. She followed the trail of hatred almost blindly down the hallway beyond the dressing rooms, not knowing whether anyone followed her or not. Her heart pounded harder than any stage fright could cause by the time she reached the metal rear door.
    She had to stop this! She’d nearly come undone twice onstage, feeling the absolute hatred. The one who came in later had been indifferent about it, patient. Accepting. Didn’t he realize he was going to die? Didn’t he know he was in danger?
    The door slammed against the outside wall when she charged into the back alley parking lot. She whirled on a heel, ignoring the damp night air. Her lungs burned. The raging weight she’d felt before she’d stepped foot on the stage increased when the nauseating feeling of the coldness invaded her. Barriers she’d meticulously constructed crumbled like sand castles in the surf. Tears clouded her vision, and sparks began to flare when the onslaught of emotions blindsided her.
    “No!” she shouted, flinging herself at the back of the man closest to her. He barely staggered under her attack.
    Her hand slid down his arm, slick and sticky at the same time. She clung like a monkey, a single arm latched around his throat, her entire weight centered behind heaving shoulders. She almost shriveled into a withered pile on the spot. She’d hit the right one.
    “What the hell?” he snarled from beneath her. He whirled with twists, trying to dislodge her, but she held on with every muscle she had. She swallowed the shriek of pain when the man she gripped yanked at her hair, determined to peel her loose. She clawed into him, her eyes pinched shut against the blistering agony.
    “What is the matter, Brakka? Have you not learned how to handle your women?” came a cool taunt directed at the man she clung to.
    “Get this bitch off me!”
    She took a deep breath, ready to scream her heart out, when the man beneath her went stock still.
    “Brakka,” came that same calm, cultured voice. “I suggest you leave. We will finish this another night.”
    She forced her watering eyes open, managing to make out a thin, sharp point pressed into Brakka’s throat. Her gasping was haggard in her ears.
    “This is not over,” the one called Brakka threatened, his voice iced and graveled, retribution unmistakable. She blinked dazedly when she found herself crumpled on the damp ground. The man she had jumped had vanished from… She shivered, stunned and chilled.
    “Are you all right?” The gentle kindness of the man’s hand lifted her chin. “You are either incredibly stupid or the bravest woman I have ever met.”
    “Stupid, trust me,” she panted. “I couldn’t let him…” She collapsed further into a ball on a sob. “Oh, God.”
    Kneeling in front of her, he pulled her against him. “You are fine.”
    She arched away sharply, her gaze clearing immediately. “You’re bleeding! He hurt you. He was going to kill you.” Her hands pressed against several slices in his chest.
    “I will be fine. Unfortunately, whenever we meet, neither seems to win.”
    “This has happened before?” She stared up at his strong features, his eyes as bright as crystals in the darkness.
    “Many, many times,” he intoned. He held out a hand. His fingers were warm on her skin when he brought her to her feet. “Tell me your name, cara .”
    She gulped in the damp night air. “Titania.”
    “Beautiful.” He brushed her mangled hair away from her face. “Thank you for saving my life.”
    She couldn’t repel the rolling quakes that slid down her arms to continue down her legs. She still shook, remnants of the anger and hatred she’d been absorbing since the night began riding over taut nerves. “You knew, didn’t you?”
    “I always know when Brakka is nearby.” His head snapped up. “I need to go. Your friends are coming.”
    “But you’re hurt!” She didn’t even know how he remained standing.
    He put a firm hand on her