Page 13 of Upon Blooded Lips (Vengeance #1)
MIRROR GIRL
O ur fingers twitch against the unfamiliar blanket covering us. The dark room holds remnants of a spicy scent, one I now associate with the man who took us. I’ll deal with him, then find out how to get us out of here. Wherever here is.
Keeping Tessa repressed, I quietly slide out of the bed, relieved to find us still dressed. That’s one point in the kidnapper’s favor. I ignore the heels sitting beside the bed and tiptoe barefoot across the room, easing the door open before sticking our head out. All clear.
As I glide down the hallway, I pick up the sound of male voices coming from downstairs, and my earlier fury at being unable to help Tessa comes roaring back. Our fists clench around invisible knife handles while visions of all the lines I could carve on their bodies dance before me.
Blood is so pretty.
I cautiously move down one stair at a time, our eyes sweeping over the grand foyer. Whoever our kidnapper is, he’s loaded. As I reach the last step, a shadow looms across the floor. Our heart picks up speed, and I grab the banister, swinging around it before hurrying down the hallway.
Thudding footsteps follow me as I dash into the kitchen and throw ourself on top of the island, pulling a knife from the knife block beside us. I twirl around, our hair flying around us in a cloud while brandishing the weapon with our head held high.
Never show fear.
“Tessa.”
Our head cocks to the side, our eyes narrowing on the enormous man lingering in the doorway with his arms crossed over his chest. He could crush someone to death with arms like those. It’s a pity I’ll have to kill him. He’s beautiful, in a dark and dangerous kind of way.
“Want to put that down?” he asks, nodding toward the knife.
Our lip curls, and I tighten our hold on the handle. Does he think we’re stupid?
His eyes narrow, and he goes still. “Mirror Girl?”
Our body stiffens. No one knows about me, except… “Who are you?”
A second man tumbles into the room, carrying two sets of giant balloons in the shape of an eighteen. “Hey, which color do you think she’d like best? Silver or purple?” I whip around, pointing the blade at him, and his eyes fly wide. “Fuck. I ruined the surprise.”
Our gaze ping-pongs between the two men, and realization dawns. I lower the weapon but keep my guard up. “Tessa prefers silver.”
“Tessa prefers?” he parrots. He’s as gorgeous as the other man but doesn’t give off the same dangerous vibes.
“We won’t hurt her,” the giant says, keeping his gaze locked on me. “I’m sorry we took her the way we did, but we had to get her away from her parents.”
“What’s—” the dark-haired man starts, but the giant shuts him up with a wave of his hand.
“If you do, I’ll peel your testicles like a banana and make you choke on them.”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”
“Let’s.” I hop off the island, landing in a crouch before straightening. “She hasn’t celebrated her birthday since she was six. Be patient with her if she reacts badly to decorations.”
The dark-haired man’s face falls, but the giant gives me a curt nod.
“I need a glass of water, two pain relief pills, a piece of paper, and a pen.” I wave the knife in the air. “Oh, and I’m keeping this.”