Blood Red (52 page)

Vivi Anna

goose-fleshed arms.

“If we run, they will see us.” Red slid the knife out from her pants. She twirled it in her hand.

“I believe they already know we’re here,” Wolf said as he did the same.

The lead horseman unsheathed his weapon, a long, steel broadsword. “You can not run. You might as well give yourselves up. Lord Drake might show you mercy.”

The other horsemen snickered.

Wolf looked to Red. She nodded to him, a coy smile playing at her lips. Wolf smiled back.

“You stay hidden away,” he said to Rapunzel. “We will lie and say you drowned. When the time is right, try to move away.”

“When will I know the time is right?”

He grinned. “You will know.”

She placed her hand on his arm. “Do not try to save me.”

Red snorted. “He’s not. He’s trying to save himself, as am I. As should you. There is no glory here.”

Rapunzel turned to Red. “Oh, but there is, Red.

You’re just too thick-headed to believe it.”

“Believe what you wish, my Lady. But I am not risking myself for you.”

Red and Wolf stood up, knives lowered to their sides. They started to walk toward the horsemen.

“You already have,” Rapunzel whispered.

The horses whinnied as they approached, stamping the ground nervously.

“Where is the Lady Rapunzel?”

“She drowned. She was not much of a swimmer,”

102

Blood Red

Red answered.

The lead horseman pointed his sword toward Red.

“You probably killed her.”

Red grinned. “You’re right. I probably did. Just like I’m probably going to kill you.”

The horseman laughed. “You have balls, woman, I’ll give you that.”

“Enough!” Wolf bellowed. “We all know that we will not go in quietly. So, make your move, fellas.

And make it quick, for I tire of your banter.”

The horseman’s grin faded. He pointed his sword at Wolf. “You, I’m going to skin and hang on my wall like a trophy.”

Wolf raised his arms out to the sides. His knife glinted in the sunlight. He growled low in his throat.

“Come and get me.”

The horseman kicked his horse and galloped toward Wolf sword raised high in the air.

Wolf waited until the horse was almost upon him before he jumped out of the way. He brought his knife around and stuck the horse in the flank. It wailed and went down. The horseman bolted forward off the saddle.

Wolf was on him before he hit the ground. He slit his throat quickly. Wolf took the sword from the man’s twitching hand and tossed it to Red.

“Here!”

Red caught it. It was heavy but not oppressing in her hand. She swiped the air with it expertly.

“Come and get me, boys!” She snarled.

Two horsemen charged her. The other two charged at Wolf.

103