Page 40 of Destiny Redeemed
I spun to face the brute, my heart pounding. So much for our daring escape. I forced a haughty smile, channeling every ounce of noble disdain I could muster.
“Leaving? My, my, now why would you imply that? The party is just starting. Not that you lowlives would understand,” I purred, praying that my blabbering was enough to buy us some time.
The brute’s meaty hand tightened on my shoulder. “Nice try. Now shut up. You’re not going anywhere.”
Behind him, Red and Gareth emerged from the passage, flanked by a handful of members. Gareth’s face was twisted in fury, a nasty bruise already blooming where the chair had struck him.
Well, at least I got one good hit in before everything went to hell.
“You bitch!” Gareth snarled, lunging forward.
Red held him back with a raised hand, his cold eyes never leaving my face. “Now, now, Gareth. That’s no way to treat our… guest.”
The way he said “guest” sent chills down my spine. I glanced at Tommy, seeing the same terror I felt mirrored in his wide eyes. No, I had to save him at least.
“Run,” I whispered, praying he’d hear me.
Tommy bolted, ducking under the arm of a surprised thug. I took advantage of the momentary distraction, driving my elbow into the brute’s solar plexus. He wheezed, his grip loosening just enough for me to slip free.
I spun, my hand flying to the dagger Anderic had given me. The weight of it was reassuring as I drew it, its blade glinting in the dim light.
“Tommy, go!” I shouted, slashing at the nearest thug. “Find Laurel!”
Red’s voice boomed behind me. “After the boy! Don’t let him escape!”
I heard footsteps pounding down the alley as some of the gang members gave chase. I prayed Tommy was faster.
The remaining thugs closed in, forming a semicircle around me. I backed up, my dagger held before me like a talisman.
“Come on, then,” I snarled, baring my teeth in a feral grin. “Who wants to go first?”
If only I could back up my swagger. But I would damn well try.
One of the men lunged forward, and I barely managed to dodge his grasp. I slashed wildly— no technique, just pure rage and luck — feeling a surge of satisfaction as my blade connected with flesh. He howled in pain, stumbling back.
“Huh! So much for big bad men.”
But there were too many of them. For every blow I landed, two more came at me. My arms ached, my lungs burned, and sweat stung my eyes. For all the rage I carried inside me, I wasn’t a warrior like Rosalind.
I can’t keep this up much longer.
A fist caught me in the ribs, driving the air from my lungs. I stumbled, my vision blurring. Strong hands seized my arms, pinning them behind my back. I thrashed and kicked, but it was useless.
Red’s face swam into view, his lips curled in a sneer. “I must say, you put up quite a fight. But did you really think you could take me?”
His hand cracked across my face, the pain exploding like fireworks behind my eyes. I tasted blood, my head lolling to the side.
I spat my blood on his face. “I only needed to stall a little.” For Tommy.
I watched with my blurry vision as Red wiped my spit. “No one’s gonna come to save you, little lady. Take her!”
As my vision began to fade, something caught my eye. The tattoo on Red’s forearm - red arrows crossing inside a circle. I remembered where I had seen it. The same symbol I’d seen on the arrows during the assassination attempt. The symbol I didn’t see in my past life.
How did they get involved?
The world spun, darkness creeping in at the edges of my vision. As consciousness slipped away, one final, desperate thought flashed through my mind.
Anderic, where are you?
