Blood Red (12 page)

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 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.

22

Blood Red

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 fucking 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 23