Blood Red (31 page)

“I didn’t risk my life.”

He laughed. “Of course you did. You are here, are you not?”

Red looked away from his intense gaze. She stared at the strange painting on the wall. It looked as if the colors swirled.

“I wonder, what is The Wolf protecting you from?”

“I do not know.”

“He told you something. What was it?”

“Nothing.”

60

Blood Red

“You’re remembering, aren’t you?”

Red quickly turned her head toward him. “I remember nothing.”

Drake reached across the table and grabbed her arm. He yanked her toward him. He leaned his face close to hers. His eyes flashed siren red. “You will tell me, or I will get angry.”

“Fuck you. There’s nothing you can do to me that hasn’t been done before. You can not hurt me, Taker.”

She smiled at him. Then she slammed her head forward into his, head-butting him hard in the face.

Drake pulled back, surprised by the attack. Blood seeped slowly from his nose. He touched it reverently. He looked down at the crimson smear on his fingertips.

Red jumped up and tried to dash for the door. She stumbled and fell to the floor. The chain between her ankle shackles was short. She couldn’t move her legs quickly.

Drake started to laugh. It was low at first, then turned into a full guffaw. He stood and walked over to where Red lay on the floor. He loomed over her.

“Oh, you are a wild one. I shall enjoy damaging you.”

“Take your best shot, asshole.”

Drake waved his hand over her. He stopped it mid air. He pulled his hand back and Red lifted off the floor. She was on her feet in seconds. It was like raising a wooden board with an invisible rope. She couldn’t move. He had her in an unseen grip.

He smiled as he circled her. He looked her up and down, drinking in his fill of her body. He stood in 61

Vivi Anna

front of her raising his hand up above his head. Red’s arms lifted straight above her head, like she was being hung from them.

Drake pointed his finger at her chest. A long sharp talon sprung out from his fingertip. He poked her in the hollow of her neck. He dragged his nail down her shirt. It split in half like a razor through paper. He pushed back each piece of cotton, exposing her breasts.

Red held her breath as her shirt was sliced. She was certain that he was going to cut her. She let out a ragged sigh when he finished. As the cool air hit her flesh, she sucked in another breath. Her nipples hardened instantly. She quivered as he stared at her.