Red Blood (Series of Blood Book 2)

by Emma Hamm

  He wasn’t a good looking man. He had never been a good looking man in his life. But good looking men didn’t have to buy women to pay attention to them for the night.

  She sighed when she saw the smile on his face. She should have considered it kind that he always smiled whenever he saw her. But that slow slide of lip against teeth always made her shiver. He wasn’t a good man. Never mind the looks, he simply wasn’t good.

  “You look beautiful,” he murmured as his eyes lingered far too long on her hips.

  “I know.” She smiled at him and held out her hand. Lyra was going to really have to turn on her acting skills tonight. She simply didn’t have the patience for Sneep anymore.

  His hand grasped hers as he held onto her tightly. Lyra grit her teeth as she reminded herself that this was the last night. She would pass him off to another woman. At this point, it wasn’t a matter of money. It was a matter of keeping her sanity.

  True to form, Sneep took her to an opera. The man liked to think he was high class and that he had a lot of money. Obviously he didn’t know she had lived this life for most of her early years.

  No one who actually had money went to operas anymore. They went to shows that were created entirely out of magic. She definitely knew they didn’t go to places where the stage was falling down and the curtains had holes eaten into them by moths.

  Lyra hid her yawn behind her hand. Staying awake during the entire ordeal proved to be much easier than she had expected. The Red Blood on stage had a set of pipes that were so shrill she was certain her ears were bleeding.

  Ironic, considering Lyra was the Siren in the crowd.

  Sneep guided her out of the opera and down the street before the last note had ended. Lyra hadn’t been aware that Ents could move that fast, but it was an interesting development she hadn’t known about the giant man.

  “Mr. Sneep,” she murmured, “it has been a truly lovely night.”

  “It has, my dear. I always have such fun with you.” His nasally voice made her ears ache more than the opera singer.

  Lyra tried to guide them down the street towards Red Velvet but was shoved in another direction. There was supposed to be a bodyguard here for her, but the Ogre seemed to have wandered off. Hermon always made sure there were eyes on his girls. But right now, she was alone, and she wasn’t going to let Sneep shove her around. “Hey!”

  “Darling, don’t you think it’s time we take our relationship to the next level?”

  Next level? Lyra’s brows furrowed. That was a new one.

  “I’m sorry. I don’t know what you mean, Mr. Sneep.”

  “I see you nearly every week. I buy you lovely gifts. I take you out to the best places that money can buy. Don’t you think it’s time you came home with me?”

  There it was. She wanted to roll her eyes while simultaneously taking a bath. There was no amount of scrubbing that was going to get that oily feeling off of her body now.

  “Mr. Sneep…” she began. There was so much to say and yet no words that wouldn’t make Hermon want to toss her out onto the streets.

  “Don’t speak. I know what you’re going to say.” A street light glinted upon the predatory look in his eyes. “You’re more than welcome to stay as long as you like.”

  “I don’t like.” She shook her head and took a step backwards. “You didn’t pay for a night.”

  Surely those were the words that would make him stop. He couldn’t afford to rent one of the girls for that. Lyra was off limits when it came to that. Those were her terms when she worked with Hermon.

  “I have paid double your price for three weeks.” He appeared offended. “It’s not polite to bring that up, Lyra.”

  Her ankle twisted hard as her heel caught on the rough edge of cobblestone. By sheer luck she managed to stay on her feet, but an abandoned street was not the place to have this conversation.

  “Listen, I’m not interested.” She tried once more. Her tone was firm. “This will be the last time I am anywhere near you.”

  “That won’t do at all.”

  It took Lyra only a few moments to realize that his panicked expression was a terrible sign before he reached out to grab her. Unnaturally long fingers slid around her arm and waist. He pulled her against his lean body with a jerk that made her head spin.

  “Let me go!” she shouted as she struggled. His hand slid over her mouth to silence her.

  In that moment, she realized how truly weak she was. There was nothing she could do to get away from him. She couldn’t even protect herself.

  Lyra had never been taught what she could do as a Siren. Her parents wanted to hide her from the world and told her to do nothing other than ignore her powers. There was no legendary Siren scream. There was no magic. There was just her pretty body and her allure that usually meant men gave her what she wanted.

  Except right now. She wiggled. She kicked. She tried everything she could to get away from him, but Mr. Sneep continued to drag her down the street towards what she assumed was his home.

  Her teeth sank into the flesh of his hand. As he cursed and pulled away, she let loose one more cry for help. It was the best effort she could give as her hope waned.

  “I believe the lady said no.” It was not a voice she recognized, but Mr. Sneep stopped in his tracks.

  Lyra wilted in relief. She wanted to scream that she didn’t want to go anywhere with him. She wanted to toss herself into the arms of whomever was speaking. None of these things were allowed, as Mr. Sneep’s hand tightened further against her cheeks. Blood saturated her tongue as his fingers pressed too hard towards her teeth.

  “This isn’t any of your concern.” She hated that nasally voice. Nothing would please her more than to hear the sharp crack of flesh against bone and that voice screaming in pain.

  “It is.”

  Mr. Sneep froze. Lyra couldn’t believe he was all that scared of the man in front of him. She couldn’t see her back alley savior, and he hadn’t done much else than speak. So it was strange that the Ent had stopped moving that easily.

  It was unexpected but welcome.

  Then she heard the sound of gargling. Or maybe it was the sound of choking. Either way, Mr. Sneep’s hand loosened, and he let her sink to the ground.

  Scuttling backwards on her hands and knees, she didn’t stop until her back hit a brick building. Her eyes widened in shock as she stared at the scene in front of her.

  Her savior was nothing like she had expected. A long black trench coat masked his body from her. He blended into the shadows with both clothing and skin. He was the shadows. She was certain of it.

  “Beautiful,” she couldn’t help but murmur.

  He shifted slightly towards her. The man wore only pants underneath his long jacket. Every inch of exposed, dark skin was perfectly smooth. Bumps of abs traveled across his abdomen and a bright set of jewels glittered on his pectorals even in the dark alley.

  Dreadlocks swayed as he moved. Clacking noises echoed from the tiny skulls that were woven into the thick strands. Even his eyes were dark, she realized. Like obsidian stones they stared at her, not Mr. Sneep.

  The Ent was foaming at the mouth. He held onto his throat desperately but could not stop the bubbles that were escaping past his lips. One floated in the air above him and popped with a sickly sound.

  “Do you want him to die?” her savior asked.

  Lyra thought about the question. It was an answer that could not be given lightly, even the foolish girl she was knew that. Death was a heady power she wasn’t certain she wanted to be able to wield.

  She stared into the eyes of Mr. Sneep and knew in that instant that she didn’t want him to live. She didn’t care if he existed on this planet because he was a bad man. Or maybe she simply perceived him as a bad man.

  Either way, she held his life in her palm. Just as he had held her life in his hand moments ago. It would be so easy to watch him disappear.

  Looking into the hard gaze of the dark man, she slowly nodded her head. “Y
es.”

  The hand her savior held out squeezed into a fist. It was over far too quickly as Mr. Sneep’s neck twisted at an odd angle, and the long body fell onto the cobblestone. Dead.

  She had killed a man. Lyra swallowed. Not with her own hands because that would have been a horrible thing to do. But she had ordered it.

  Swallowing hard, she tried to stop her hands from trembling in her lap. Dying wasn’t as easy as she had thought. How was she to know that she would feel this way? That she would want to vomit because his limp body was only feet from her.

  Her eyes met the empty gaze, which still stared at her from his dreaded thin face. His legs were skewed at an odd angle. His arms were awkwardly pinned behind his back. But it was his eyes that made her heart skip a beat.

  She turned to vomit onto the street. Her stomach heaved as her mind rebelled. She couldn’t have made such a rash decision. That wasn’t her; she wasn’t capable of wanting someone to die like that.

  But apparently, she was.

  “Easy.” The man’s voice was soothing through her terror. “The first time is always the worst.”

  Lyra heaved again, and her fingers scrabbled at the cobblestone.

  He chuckled. “The next time will be easier, I promise. By the third time you won’t be emptying your stomach anymore.”

  She spit. “Why? Why did you make me do that?”

  “I didn’t make you do anything, little Siren. I gave you the opportunity, and you took it.”

  “I shouldn’t have.” She was breathing too hard. “I shouldn’t have done that.”

  “But you did and now you must live with it.” He reached out his hand as though they were two normal strangers meeting on a street. “I am called Bones.”

  She took the offered hand. “Lyra.”

  “Walk with me, Lyra.”

  “I don’t want to walk with anyone ever again.” The petulant tone sounded childish even to her ears.

  Bones chuckled. “You will. Come, little girl.”

  She didn’t want to, but she stood. Her knees wobbled, and her arms were set akimbo. But she was upright. Somehow that felt like an accomplishment.

  “Good.” He nodded. “Good job.”

  Like a puppy she followed him. In a way, she needed the reassurance. He was the last person who should be making her feel safe. He had killed a man in front of her. But he had also saved her. Which led to another question.

  “Why did you save me?” she asked quietly.

  “Because you are a Siren.”

  “Not many people like Sirens.”

  “I am not one of those people.”

  Lyra didn’t understand that. How could she? Her entire life had been based on hatred. He must be lying because only untruths slipped from such honeyed lips.

  “I am not lying,” he said quietly. The bones in his hair clinked against each other as he swiveled to stare at her. His eyes slowly turned black. “I want to give you everything you desire.”

  She should not believe him. But she did.

  “Everything?” she whispered.

  “I will teach you to protect yourself. To use the limited amount of power you Sirens have. You will become a weapon.”

  Lyra thought she might like that. The gift he offered her was the ability to never be in this situation again. She would never be forced to submit to another man. She would never have to walk back into that unholy place of employment.

  Freedom. It tasted good upon her tongue.

  “No.” She shook her head firmly. “I want more.”

  “More?” He chuckled. “There is no more.”

  “I want it all. Everything.”

  His dark eyes once more looked her over. This time, she imagined there was a curiosity in the swirling darkness that swept over her being.

  “What is it that you want?” he asked her.

  “I want all that a Siren could be.”

  “That amount of power could destroy your human form.”

  Lyra swallowed. “I’m stronger than I look.”

  The chuckle that rumbled from deep within Bones’s chest made a shiver dance down her spine. Her body might be destroyed, but it was worth it to know that she would forever be able to take care of herself. She was done being weak.

  “It’s your choice, doll.”

  His hand raised, and a bright glow of magic burst from his fingertips. A scroll flowed from his palm until it touched the cobblestone street. Words danced across the ancient page and made her eyes swim as she tried to focus upon what was said.

  Bones held out a quill towards her. “Just sign and it will all be yours.”

  “Everything I asked for?” she looked up to meet his dark gaze.

  “Of course.”

  Lyra didn’t even hesitate. She sighed the parchment and underlined her name for good measure. It would all be hers. A great relief made her feel as though she was flying.

  “Good.” He nodded his head. “In ten years, you will return to me. You will become my weapon to control. Everything I tell you to do will be done without question.”

  She held herself steady and did not flinch as his fingertips danced upon her cheek. “I will not.”

  “You must. You signed the contract.”

  Only then did a gasp escape her parted lips. “You lied to me. You tricked me!”

  “I did nothing of the sort. You asked, and I will give you everything you desire. Now, little girl, you must pay the price.”

  NOW

  She jolted upright with a gasp. Her bed was soaked. Not from sweat but from the overwhelming amount of water that poured from her ears, eyes, and nose.

  Coughing, Lyra swung her legs until her feet touched the slick floor. She ignored the sound of dripping water, which sounded like the ringing of bells. Darkness swallowed the room and, with it, a sense of calm.

  She was not in that alleyway. She was not standing in front of Bones or anyone who was coming to collect. She was safe, in her own bed, with her feet firmly touching the ground.

  A soft click from the pull of her lamp illuminated the room. Soft blues and greens further calmed her senses. She had created an oasis for herself in her bedroom.

  Tanks of water burbled in the corners while brightly colored fish lazily swam through effervescent bubbles. The soft hum of the filters usually lulled her into sleep. Tonight, Lyra found that they wore upon her nerves.

  “Damn it,” she whispered as she stood.

  Nightmares had not plagued her sleep for many years. She had banished the terrible memories into the deepest depths of her mind so she could not think of them. It was her own personal shield.

  “Water,” she muttered as she made her way towards the bathroom. Water always helped when she was upset. Plus, she had lost a considerable amount of it as she ruined her bed in her sleep. She’d have to buy another one now.

  A shiver danced down her spine.

  She froze as the distinct feeling someone was watching her made the hairs on her arms raise. There was a shuffling sound behind her. Not loud, as though someone was walking on her carpet. But soft. As though someone was trying not to be heard.

  No knife was strapped to her waist. No weapon was easily reachable. But Lyra had been known to kill a man with her hands before. She could do it again.

  Slowly, she rotated until she could pinpoint the sound. Her mirror, propped against the wall to make her space looked bigger, held someone entirely different than herself.

  Bones watched her. His eyes were darker than she had ever seen them and reflected hellfire. A slow grin spread across his midnight skin as his hand raised to scratch the glass with elongated fingernails.

  “Lyra.” His enchanting voice called to her. He was also so charming, so convincing that he would help her. Lyra now knew he didn’t help people. “Lyra, it’s time.”

  “I will not be returning to you,” she spat towards him.

  His brows furrowed as his mouth twisted into a snarl. “You signed a contract.”

  “A contract I didn’
t understand. I was just a child!”

  “You were of age. You were capable of making your own decisions.”

  His palm slammed against the glass. The sound made Lyra flinch backwards until she realized that he wasn’t coming through her mirror. He was trapped on the other side.

  The safety gave her a false bravado. She was the queen of acting, and this was going to be her greatest performance.

  Straightening her shoulders, she flipped the ends of her wet hair over her shoulders. Long tendrils of dark strands tangled around her arms like seaweed. She stalked towards the mirror and gripped onto the metal edges hard enough for the frame to bite into her palms.

  “You and your kind are nothing to me. I will not return to you. I will not listen to you. I am breaking the contract now.”

  He leaned close until they might have touched if the mirror hadn’t separated them. “Your time is up. You already belong to me whether you want to or not. Little girl.”

  She snapped. Her fingers curled into claws around the mirror, and a feral growl burst free from her throat. With a scream, she yanked the mirror towards her.

  It seemed almost as though time slowed before the glass hit the ground. Lyra felt the wind as it passed by her face and watched in horror as it shattered into thousands of pieces on her floor. Shards of the mirror decorated the ground beside her feet.

  She could see him still. Thousands of images that all reflected those dark features grinning up at her. Bones was one of the most powerful creatures in the Black Market. When he said he would find her, he would.

  The glass cut into her bare feet as she crunched through the carnage. Her heart raced as she fled the room, but Lyra did not dare look behind her. She could not. Whatever phantom was conjured in her most sacred place would only chase her if she looked.

  Tiny bloody imprints of feet smeared against the cool stones of Haven as she ran. She did not look back. She did not make a sound other than the jarring rush of air in and out of her lungs.

  Lyra shouldered the kitchen door open and burst into the room. She stilled as the cool air touched her flushed skin. Darkness made her other senses heighten. The hum of the icebox mixed with sound of her own heartbeat. As her eyes adjusted, she could see the shadowed outlines of countertop and cabinets.