Page 89 of Unkindness of Crimson Ravens

The blood drained from my face when I met his dark as night eyes. A cruel smirk made its way onto his face as he eyed me with curiosity.

“Let her go,” my voice sounded barely more than a whisper. “She is just a chi—” I tried to get to my feet but his boot pressed against my chest, depriving me of air.

“Isn’t it the lost princess?” The other man in a blue cloak smirked. His blue as ice eyes shone bright. “We’ve been looking for you, you know.” He forced me to my feet; his hands locked mine in place. “Kane will be ecstatic when we return with you.” They both laughed.

“Let her go!” I screamed at the man, trying to free myself, yet his grip just hardened. “I will do whatever you want me to, just let the child go!” I looked around, searching for any familiar face. “Help!” I yelled towards the departing carriages—

The pain across my cheek stung my skin as my vision blurred into dozens of stars when my capturer’s hand met my flesh in a loud thud. The corner of my eyes darkened, drowning me into oblivion.

The men laughed as they dragged me and Charlotte deep into the woods.

Chapter 34

Crimson Snow

“Let me go!” Charlotte's scream dragged me out of the darkness. “I won’t go back!” She roared against the redheaded man’s hand; her teeth pierced through the fabric of his cloak.

He struck her across her face, knocking the air out of her. She quieted.

“Don’t touch her!” I screamed; my wrists wailed from the burning pain when I jerked them against the blue-eyed man’s grasp. Panic pierced my whole body as I desperately listened for Charlotte's breathing. Her, full of tears, eyes met mine when she gasped for air.

The man ignored my weak attempts at freeing myself as he dragged me down the glistening snow.

My eyes watched the disappearing village behind me; the weak flashes of candlelight within the human houses were now barely visible. No one would hear my screams.

My breathing hilted as my boots dug into the ground, trying to create some friction.

I had to do something.

A pair of horses entered my view as a new wave of panic stroked my chest. If they got us onto those horses we would be as good as dead.

My heart dropped to my heels. I had to do something. I had to do something right now!

I filled my lungs before letting an ear-piercing scream out. One second. That was all the distraction I needed to free my burning wrist—my teeth dug into the man's hand, forcing his hold to open.

My hand found the hilt, dragging the sword out of its scabbard when he jerked me by my hair: but it was too late.

His grip on my hair tightened, my scalp screamed in protest, yet I paid it no attention—not right now.

The blade shimmered under the moonlight as I swung it towards him. The man laughed at my weak attempt at fighting, yet his laughter fell short when he traced a thin line of red on his arm.

“You bitch!” He threw me onto the ground, knocking the air out of me.

“Cordelia!” Charlotte cried.