Blood Red (57 page)

Vivi Anna

By nightfall, they had reached the village. They heard it long before they ever saw it. The sound of laughter and ruckus reached their ears before they saw the first stone dwelling.

“Whom are we seeking?” Rapunzel asked.

“The Bears. We will find them at the Inn.”

“Who are these Bears?”

“You will find out soon enough.”

Red glared at Rapunzel as they trotted down the cobblestone lane. “You ask a lot of questions.”

“I like to know what I’m up against.”

“I thought we were all on the same side,” Red said, sarcasm dripping from her words.

They made their way through the village to the Inn. Villagers in the street stopped to stare as they passed. Their looks were not friendly.

They pulled short at the livery stable beside the Inn. They dismounted. Wolf helping Red down.

“We’re going to need some currency.” Wolf and Red both looked at Rapunzel.

“Why are you looking at me?”

“A smart Lady would not escape without some sort of plan. Without some sort of insurance of her…well-being.”

Rapunzel looked at them both. She huffed angrily, then reached down into her bodice. She came away with a long, jeweled necklace. She raised it up for them to see. “Satisfied?”

“Very,” Red said.

Wolf put his hand out. “May I see it?”

Rapunzel put it in his hand reluctantly. Wolf looked down at it, eyes wide, marveling. There were 112

Blood Red

rubies, emeralds, sapphires and diamonds encrusting it.

“It’s beautiful.”

Rapunzel smiled. “It was my moth—.”

Wolf popped out one of the jewels, crushing the gold around it.

Rapunzel gasped. “You did not just do that.”

Red snickered.

“The necklace is worthless to us. The jewels alone will get us what we need.” Wolf walked to the stable door. He knocked sharply.

The door opened. A young boy with a dirty face and missing teeth peered out. “Yeah, whatcha want?”

Wolf stared down at him. “We need our horses stabled and clean clothes.”

The boy glared at them. “Bugger off.” He slammed the door shut.

Red launched at the door, banging fiercely on it.

“You little shit! Open this door, or I’ll kick it in and smash your face with my filthy boot!”

“Bugger off!”

Red was about to kick the door, when Wolf stayed her leg. He shook his head. She stood back.

“Boy? Have you heard of the man named Wolf?”

“Maybe. What’s it to you?”

“Open this door, and you may see him as well.”

There was silence behind the door, then the lock lifted and the boy opened the door a crack. He peered out. He looked up into Wolf’s face. The boy’s eyes widened with surprise and fear.

“Do as I ask, and I will reward you well.” He put out his hand. The boy looked down at it. Wolf opened 113