Blood Red (34 page)

Vivi Anna

gave out. The guards caught her as she went down.

They righted her, groping her as they did.

She glared at Drake. “Sleep with one eye open, Taker. Because I will come for you.”

He clapped his hands together in enjoyment. “Oh my dear, how delightful. Don’t you know I never sleep?”

He waved her away. The guards pulled her from the room. As the door shut behind them, Red heard Drake laugh. It was deep, and full of joy. She would always remember that sound, especially when she ripped out his throat.

66

Blood Red

The shower was not a pleasant experience.

The guards took her into a grubby, cold room somewhere at the back of the castle, where it stunk of animal manure, and worse things. They hung her chain up on an iron peg sticking out of the wall. Her arms were raised slightly, keeping her in place.

They each took turns throwing buckets of cold water on her. They would deliberately aim at her breasts and sex. By the time they were done, she was shivering violently and her skin was goose-bumped from her head to her toes.

They had offered to towel her dry, but Red gnashed and spat at them when they tried to get near.

She would not allow any more hands on her, especially not belonging to Neanderthal guards.

They pulled her, dripping wet and seething with rage, back down to her cell. As they walked down the dim passage, Red peered into the other cells. They were all still empty but one. Wolf stood in the center of one, his eyes closed, his body relaxed. He looked like he was in a trance.

67

Vivi Anna

“Wolf!” Red yelled as they passed.

Wolf’s eyes sprang open. They glinted in the dim light. He rushed to the bars reaching out with his hand.

Red struggled in her restraints. She pulled back on her leash, tried to reach his outstretched hand. The guards were on her. They pushed her back, but she kept coming. She dug in her heels and pushed back.

One guard stumbled back and ran into the cell bars.

Wolf grabbed him around the neck, squeezing him tight.

“Let her go, or I’ll kill him.”

The other guard looked at his comrade. His eyes were bulging with strain. He released his hold on Red.

She stumbled forward and grabbed Wolf’s other hand. “I’m sorry.”

* * *

Wolf met her eyes. They sparkled like emeralds as they welled with tears. He leaned forward to find her mouth. Her eyes bulged, then closed. She lurched forward and dropped to the ground.