Red cocked her head to the side. Did she hear something? The rain fell hard on the tin roof of the house. It was difficult to hear anything over the roar.
She slowly turned to her right. She stared hard into the shadows, narrowing her eyes. She saw a flash of something. Glowing eyes, like an animal.
Red ran. She turned to the open field and sprinted.
If she could make it to the trees, she would lose him.
She’d had many years of training in the forest. As she ran, she felt for the weapon at her wrist. It was there, secured tightly to her arm. She never went anywhere without at least one weapon.
She glanced back over her shoulder as she made it to the trees. She saw no movement behind her. The Wolf was quick, she knew, so he may have entered the woods further down. She’d have to be sharp. Use all her years of training to survive. This was the one night she had planned for, lived for, and she was not going to fail.
She moved into the foliage, hunkering down onto one knee and putting her hood up to cover her bright hair. She scanned the surrounding trees, letting her eyes adjust to the extreme dark. There was no moonlight to guide her way, and she saw no immediate movement. Looking down at the forest floor, she searched for another weapon. One was never enough.
Lightning lit the sky, and she was able to spy a small broken branch. It was jagged at one edge. It would be perfect for close encounters. She picked it up and held it firmly. If she could get close enough to him, she could stab the wood into the soft part just under his chin on the side of his neck. He would bleed to death. A branch snapped. Red stayed still and surveyed the woods. Could be just an animal, searching for food. Another branch snapped. This time it was closer. Red held her breath and narrowed her eyes. She could see a shape moving toward her.
Red looked down and picked up a small stone. If she could get a good aim, she could hit him in the head to stun him, affording her time to come up on him. If she missed, then he would know her location.
Either way was a risk. She stood up and pulled her arm back.
“Red? It’s Jack.” His voice was soft and low.
Red hesitated. She lowered her arm. “What are you doing?”
“I followed you outside. I saw you run into the trees. I was worried. Are you all right?”
Red sighed and moved closer to him. He was endangering her. Surely, The Wolf knew her location.
Or had she imagined him? Maybe she had only been running from Jack.
“You’re an idiot. I could have killed you.”
He laughed, low. “Not without your knives.”
Red paused. Her heart began to race. Her adrenaline pumping through her body. “What?”
“You’re unarmed, aren’t you?”
“Jack?” She saw the movement too late. “Watch out!”
Before the words were out of her mouth, The Wolf was on Jack. He came up from behind. He grabbed his chin, lifting his head and sliced the knife across his throat in one swift stroke.
Red charged at him, even before Jack’s body hit the ground. “You bastard!”
She unsheathed her dagger and slashed out at him.
He dodged it and grabbed her arm. He swung her around so she collided into him. He brought his arm around her. He had her in a tight hold, his arm around her 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.
“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 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.
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.
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 the top. His long, black hair hung around his powerful shoulders. He had a face chiseled from stone, all hard, sharp angles. Dark thick sideburns curved under his cheeks and ended near his full mouth. His eyes, framed by thick dark eyebrows, glowed even in the daylight.
He came in, dropping logs of wood by the fireplace. He looked over at her. She stared back at him. He went to the sink and grabbed a water jug, bringing it to her.
She kicked out her legs as he neared her. He sidestepped them with ease.
“I will tie your legs.”
Red stopped the feeble attempt. She lay still as he neared.
“I brought water.” He poured some in a small cup.
“You’ll have to raise your head.”
He stood next to her head, but not too close. He lowered the cup to her mouth. She raised her head and took a sip. It felt glorious. She opened her mouth carefully for more. She swallowed it down, opened for more, but lowered her head. He leaned down to pour more in. She closed her mouth, then raised her head suddenly and spat the water into his face.
Wolf wiped it from his face with the back of his hand. He smiled down at Red. She stared angrily at him, hatred radiating from her emerald eyes.
He lifted the pitcher over her head and tilted it forward. Water spilled out. It splashed onto her face.
“Drink up, girl, this is the only water you’re getting today.”
Red thrashed from side to side, but she couldn’t escape the waterfall. It got up her nose, soaked her hair, and ran down her throat to her shirt. When the jug was empty her shirt was wet, and the bed beneath her was soaked. The last drop landed on her nose. He set the jug on the floor beside the bed.
“You f**king bastard,” she managed to mutter between clenched teeth. The small movement caused her severe pain.
Wolf must have noticed her cringe from the pain from her jaw. “Save your words. Talking will only hurt. Just be lucky I didn’t break your pretty mouth.”
He wandered back to the fireplace. He stoked it and set two more logs on, then stretched out on the sofa; his feet hung over the edge. He put a hand behind his head and shut his eyes.
Red couldn’t believe it. He was going to sleep.
After nearly drowning her, he could sleep. She knew about his viciousness, his disregard for anything human. She supposed she’d gotten away lucky so far.
She was still alive. But damn him! Damn him to hell!
She would not go peacefully! Red started to thrash about on the bed, kicking her legs. She opened her mouth and screamed.
* * *
Wolf sat up on the sofa, bolted from his slumber. He watched her pull against the ropes. He could see them cutting into her flesh. Blood soon spotted the bed. She kicked and screamed like hell’s fury. He had his work cut out for him. She would not be easily convinced.
She had seven long years to grow strong, to brew her hatred for him.