Blood Red (27 page)

Vivi Anna

gently, so as not to choke, but hard enough to make it known who was in charge. Red was collared and leashed, and Morgana held the chain.

“Come along, my pet. Time to meet your other owners.”

Red was led down a long dimly lit passage. They passed other cells. All were empty. They came to a steep set of stairs. They ascended them to a thick wooden door. It opened as they neared, and they passed through it. It closed behind them.

Every once in a while, Morgana would yank Red’s leash. It caught her off guard, and would cause her to stumble. She fell once. Morgana pulled her up by her collar. The collar chafed at her skin, but was not too tight. She didn’t choke on it. It did not feel all that unpleasant around her neck. It was the thought of Morgana holding her leash that repulsed Red.

Soon they were walking down an elegant hallway.

The walls were adorned with gold trinkets and colorful paintings. The floor was lined with rich carpet, weaved with the finest materials. Red looked around in admiration, and dread. Somehow, it all looked sickeningly familiar.

Morgana led her into a grand ballroom. It had long windows draped with the finest silks. The floor was polished like glass. The furnishings carved from mahogany and cherry woods. Everything was richly colored and decorated. Red had never seen such wealth and prestige before. A quartet of musicians huddled in the corner playing soft stringed music.

Red knew she was in a great castle, but who’s, she could never fathom.

52

Blood Red

Other people milled about. Each dressed in the clothes of the wealthy and powerful. Some looked like royalty. Women were dressed in embroidered silk gowns and bejeweled chaplets on their heads.

Men were in brocade tunics and suede trousers. A pretty woman in a long, golden gown passed by them. She had impossibly long flaxen hair tied in a braid down her back. She smiled coyly and dragged her hand teasingly over Red’s back.

“She looks like a boy.” Her voice was sweet and cheery.

“Strong as a man, she is. But underneath this, she is a woman. I assure you.” Morgana reached out and grabbed Red’s breast.

Red snapped at her with her teeth, a growl deep in her throat.

Everyone in the room laughed.

“She is spirited, isn’t she? I like that.” The woman’s eyes glinted with lust as she peered over Red’s body.

“She is not for you, Rapunzel.”

“I know, but could I not have just a little taste?”

“No, you may not.” The voice boomed throughout the room.

All heads turned toward it. The crowd parted.

Red swallowed deeply as the man neared her. He was tall and widely built. He wore only black, and his cape dragged on the floor behind him. His hair flowed over his shoulders and down his back. It was the color of moonlight. His eyes were as red as blood.

He was as ethereally beautiful as he was demonic.

She knew his name. He was The Taker, and he was the master of the underworld.

53