Blood Red (20 page)

Vivi Anna

Hours later as the sun set, they came across an abandoned bear cave. It was a perfect spot to set up camp for the night. By his gray complexion and dull eyes, it was obvious Wolf could not continue.

Red helped him sit against the stone wall. She took off her cloak and wrapped it around him. He watched her intently as she tucked the material around his neck. She glanced briefly into his eyes, then quickly turned away, not willing to see the truth in them quite yet.

“I’ll get firewood.”

Wolf grabbed her arm tightly. “Red, you must listen to me.”

“No. Let go.” She tried to pull from his grip.

“I am not who you think I am.”

“You are not a murderer?” She said with venom.

“Oh, I am that, but I only kill those that threaten our existence.”

Red glared at him. “My grandma was not a threat to anyone.”

“Yes, she was, Red. She worked for them. She was 38

Blood Red

a high operative and a trained assassin. She killed your father, and was planning on giving you away to be trained as she was.”

Red struggled against his hold. She could not look at him. “You’re a fucking liar!”

“I wish I was. You are in danger because unknown to you, you carry the secret. Trapped deep inside that head of yours is the location of their lair.”

Red pried his hand off her arm. “You’re fucking crazy. Their lair. Them. Who the fuck are you talking about?”

“The Brothers Grimm.”

“Now, I know you’re delirious. The Brothers Grimm are a myth. They’re not real. It’s a fairytale told to children to frighten them.”

“They are real, Red. And you have seen them.”

Red glared down at him. His eyes were heavy, and blood dribbled out from between his lips. He was dying, and talking nonsense. “I’m getting some firewood. I suggest you shut up, or you’ll be dead by morn’.”

Wolf regretfully watched her go as she stomped out of the cave. “I’m dead already.”

Red collected some kindling and larger sticks. She should leave him here, she thought. She could easily find another place before it became too dark. She didn’t need him. She had to remember that he was a murderer and a vicious liar. The lies he was sprouting. She couldn’t believe him. Even now, on his deathbed, he could lie. Thank God, they had been interrupted earlier. She was not sure she would be able to live with herself if she had slept with him.

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