Blood Red (9 page)

Vivi Anna

the pure water. She drank it in greedily, hoping to be cleansed, but knowing that no amount of water could wash away her sins. She had been too long alone, with only black-hearted vengeance and cold steel for companions.

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.

16

Blood Red

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 17