Blood Curse (Branded Trilogy Book 2) (11 page)

They both exhaled.

“One more.”

She held up her arm. The leech pumped up and down, sucking her blood.

He blocked it from his mind, knowing it was the last one he’d have to pull. He worked his fingers before he ripped it from her skin sending it into the trees.

“Thank you,” she murmured, and her shoulders sagged with relief.

He needed to sit down. His head was spinning, and he had to regulate his heartbeat before he passed out.

She searched the rest of her body for any more, and he sighed when she declared all was well.

He leaned against a tree, inhaled slow and easy until the fog left his head. He’d battled angry seas, tidal waves and pirates, but none left him defenseless like the tiny leech.

The sun broke through the trees casting thin lines of light into the forest. He grabbed hold of Goliath’s reins. He paused, allowing the warmth to caress his face and chase away the chill in his bones. He needed to move, to continue with one foot in front of the other until he found Milosh. He glanced at Pril. She’d wrapped her shawl around her head tying it at the back to hang past her long hair. Soon he’d rip her world apart, and he wondered if she’d ever recover.

Remorse and dishonor filled his mouth with bitterness, and he glanced away, blinking past the anger.

“We’ve wasted enough time. Mount up,” he growled.

She climbed on top of Athos, pulled Kade’s coat tight around her and waited for him to give the signal.

On top of Goliath, he kicked his heels into the horse’s side, and they continued through the forest.

Pril crouched beside the lake and dipped her hands into the cool water. She splashed it onto her cheeks and sighed. She rubbed her face with the palms of her hands trying to rinse the dirt and grime away. Her tresses were in need of a rinsing. She bent forward and dunked her head into the lake working her fingers through to the scalp. She massaged the tired skin, pulling the water through the long strands to the ends before she wrung it out. Refreshed, she tipped her chin up letting the afternoon sun dry the remaining droplets of water left on her face.

She hadn’t seen Tsura in five days. The time tore at her insides. Was she healthy? Was she scared, lonely and missing Pril? All these questions gnawed at her. With each passing hour, she fought to stay sane—strong in mind and body. She needed answers, but knew there were none to give.

She peeked at Kade giving oats to the horses. He’d been a moody companion with lack of propriety. He was harsh, overbearing and commanding; three attributes she despised. He held no regard for her emotions or the urgency she felt to find Tsura. The travel was on his time, whether it meant tracking in the middle of the night or all day long. He moved at his own leisure, on his own schedule. There was no more she could do. She needed him.

If Milosh was only a day’s ride ahead of them, they should be riding all night. Sleep would come once she had her daughter safe in her arms. Kade was not open to her suggestions, ignoring her inquiries.

She felt the scab on her neck from the leeches yesterday and trembled. Had it not been for Kade, she’d still be in the marsh, screaming at the top of her lungs and possibly drained of all her blood.

She sensed he didn’t like the suckers any more than she did, and she was thankful he had removed them just the same. She’d gotten a small glimpse into the life he’d led before meeting her and was delighted to know he was a sea captain. She yearned to hear more about where he’d sailed and where he’d lived, anything to make the time go faster.

Her clan had lived by the sea all her life and when Vadoma was at her worst. Thinking of those times brought tears to her eyes. Pity and resentment melded together, and she didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry at the consequences of Vadoma’s actions. Life had been simpler; their cares consisted of food and the wares they sold. Pril had been a happy girl with hopes and dreams.

When she’d found out Vadoma carried a child, and as there was no husband or lover to claim, she’d asked her sister to tell her whose it was. Vadoma refused. She found this odd and terrifying at the same time. Two months later she had her first and only premonition. Vadoma would die—hung and then burned by the man who planted the seed within her.

Pril knew without a doubt it was Silas Monroe. He’d been captivated by Vadoma and her beauty, coming to call often. Her sister wasn’t one to turn her chin up at affection whether it caused her shame or not. She’d go off with Silas unchaperoned and not return until late in the evening. Galius and Milosh warned her not to get comfortable with the wealthy plantation owner, but Vadoma was her people’s Chuvani and would not be ordered about. She refused her brothers’ advice and cast them from her cabin.

Pril had witnessed the change in her sister as her stomach grew. She became softer, but still defiant in her defense of Silas. Vadoma had found love, and Pril was happy for her. As her pregnancy progressed Silas showed his face less and less until months passed, and he never came. Vadoma grew angry, casting spells on those who angered her and becoming a recluse. She grew more devious, more threatening and more evil than before. The clan became terrified of her. The people of Jamestown feared the great Chuvani and begged the clan to stop her. But there was nothing they could do. Vadoma was more powerful than Pril. She knew the spells, taught by their mother since birth. She’d been born with the gift of magick which surpassed anything Pril would ever possess.

She ran her fingers through the tangled wet hair. The edge of her skirt was torn, and she ripped a piece of the fabric, placing it in her mouth. She gathered her hair in sections, and weaving it together, she tied it with the fabric she’d held between her lips.

What purpose did Milosh have for taking Tsura? She understood his anger and sadness, but to take another’s life—especially a child’s—because of a loss of your own was foolish. She was desperate to see him—to convince him in some way to let Tsura go. Maybe she should try the finding spell again. She never understood how some spells worked for her, while others did not, and often thought it was because she was second born. She’d have to try the spell when the moon was bright. Most spells worked by the light of the moon and the difficult ones not at all, unless the moon was round.

“Here,” Kade said from behind her.

She turned to see him holding a piece of dried meat, and her stomach growled.

“Thank you.”

She bit into the food, grateful for his generosity. Although tough around the edges, Kade Walker was kind when he allowed himself to be.

“How close are we?”

“They’re still hours ahead of us. If we have no more stops we should be on them sometime tomorrow.”

“Good.”

They mounted, and she brought Athos to walk beside him through the pasture.

“What is it like being on a ship?”

He gazed straight ahead, and for a moment she wondered if he was going to answer her.

“It is the most wonderful thing in the world.”

Taken aback at his comment, she watched as his eyes glossed, and he swallowed.

“You miss it.”

“Every day.” He sighed. “It is all I’ve ever known. Land seems foreign to me. I do not fit in here.”

She understood. She’d never fit in anywhere, and fleeing from place to place didn’t allow her the opportunity to make friends. If it hadn’t been for the Monroes invading every gypsy camp, she’d not have met Sorina and many of the others that made up the Peddlers. They’d become her family, and thinking of them now intensified how much she missed them.

“When we find Tsura will you go back?”

He hesitated before nodding.

“Do you take passengers aboard your ship?”

“Rarely.”

“If I paid you, would it be possible to take me and Tsura to the other world?”

He turned toward her, his charcoal eyes surrounded by thick lashes, framed with jagged edges and a square jaw. The sun had tanned his face and brightened his blond hair softening his features. The white shirt and cotton tan trousers were that of a sailor, and she wasn’t sure why she hadn’t noticed them before now. His attire reflected his carefree attitude. He was rogue, handsome and dangerous all at the same time.

“No.”

The word slapped her in the face, and she gaped at him. She was sure he’d say yes.

“Why ever not?”

“I owe you no reason.”

“You’ve taken passengers before but you will not take me and my daughter?”

“Correct.”

“Even if I paid you?”

“What will you pay me with, Gypsy? The beads that hang from your ears, or the silver around your neck? How about the bracelets on your wrists? I am in no need of your baubles.”

“I have other riches I could offer.”

He peered at her out of the corner of his eye. “Unless you’re offering me what’s underneath your skirt, save your breath.”

She gasped.

“You are unbelievable. What kind of woman do you think I am?”

“I believe we’ve had this discussion already.”

“Yes, right. You think me a thief and liar and now a whore.”

“I never said you were a whore.”

“I have told you countless times I am none of those things.”

“And I have told you I do not care.”

“Why, if all you see me as is a thief and liar, are you willing to help me find Tsura?”

“It is the right thing to do.”

“But taking me and my daughter across the sea to safety is not?”

“Once I find your daughter you are of no concern to me.”

“Your beliefs and constitutions are blurred.”

He ignored her, which fueled her rage.

“Silence? You become silent when asked for the truth? How convenient.”

“I owe you nothing.”

“You owe me the truth.”

He stopped Goliath and turned to face her. Fury lined the edges of his face.

“That’s where you’re wrong, Gypsy. I answer to myself and no one else.”

She curled her lip. Why wouldn’t he tell her?

“Lies,” she spat.

She watched as his face changed.

His mouth twisted, and he glared at her. “Do not call me a liar again.”

“Or what? You’ll push me from Athos? Perhaps you’ll throw your dagger through my side?”

“Sarcasm does not suit you.”

“This coming from a man who spouts to be wiser then most, but when pushed to the edge will not own his end. You, Mr. Walker, are a fraud.” She kicked Athos sides and raced off ahead of him.

She heard the rumble of Goliath’s hooves behind her and urged her horse to go faster. Before she knew it he was beside her and had pulled her from Athos, plopping her down in front of him.

“What are you doing?” she yelled.

He tugged on the reins and slowed the stallion to a trot.

She wiggled in his embrace and felt the muscle in his forearm tighten.

“Let me go, damn it.”

He ignored her, his breathing forced and jaw clenched.

She dug her elbow into his stomach, but his hold on her waist only strengthened.

“Release me.”

She didn’t miss the lust in his eyes. Fear clawed at the back of her throat, and she squirmed even more desperate to escape him.

He pulled her close, squishing her to his chest and, without a word of warning, brought his lips to hers. She pummeled his chest pushing away from him, but he continued to kiss her. His tongue caressed the edges of her lips urging them to open. She wouldn’t do it. She shook her head. He combed his fingers through her hair and yanked her head back. When she yelped he drove his tongue into her mouth. He tasted of pinecones, earth and desire, and she slowly sank into his embrace. She pressed her breasts into him, and he groaned into her mouth.

Their tongues battled, her nipples hard and crotch wet. She rubbed her thighs together to ease the want she felt there. She didn’t know it before, but she needed this—needed him, his hands, his mouth and something more, something unexplained that only he could give her. She yearned for a way to release the anxiety inside of her. She moved her lips over his and hummed her enjoyment. She didn’t stop his hand as it moved toward her breasts. He felt good—right. She’d take his acceptance now and deal with his rejection later.

Kade pulled his lips from hers just in time to see her horse canter toward the forest ahead, a rider on top.

“Ah shit.” He tugged her close, dug his heels into Goliath’s sides and held tight to the reins. The horse sprinted forward, chasing after Athos.

They raced alongside when he noticed it was the boy from the other day.

Determination spread across the youngster’s dirt smeared face.

A loud offensive whistle shrilled from beside him, and Athos slowed before coming to a stop.

Kade peered at Pril.

“Why didn’t you do that a few minutes ago?”

“I couldn’t catch my breath while being jostled about. I am not used to sitting sidesaddle.”

He climbed down and assessed the situation. He sensed the kid wanted to flee and would do so at any minute if he weren’t careful.

“Easy,” he said holding out his hands as he stepped toward him. “We will not hurt you.”

The boy’s black eyes darted about, and Kade’s heart sunk. The kid was terrified. He’d been beaten most of his life, and the affect it had on him was clear as water. His lip split, the eye red-rimmed and swollen from two days before when Kade had seen him in the closet.

Now that he was getting a better view of the kid, he could see the tanned skin, black hair and high cheekbones. The boy was Indian. He’d been a slave. Kade’s muscles pulsed when he thought of what the boy had gone through at the hands of his master.

“Do you speak English?” he asked.

The boy didn’t answer, instead he flexed his scrawny legs around the horse, urging the animal to move, but without Pril’s command Athos stayed put.

“Are you hungry?” Pril asked, walking past him toward the boy.

“Gypsy, don’t startle him.”

She held out some of the hard tack they’d chewed on earlier.

His eyes darted about as he peered from Kade to Pril and then back to the meat she held.

“Here, take it.”

He snatched it from her hand and shoved the whole piece into his mouth.

Kade’s gut clenched, and he shook his head.

“Can you come down, and I’ll offer you some water?” Pril said, reaching out her hand.

The boy didn’t hesitate and slid from Athos. He went to Pril and wrapped his skinny arms around her waist. Kade witnessed the unshed tears within her eyes. She hugged him back, kissing the top of his unwashed head. For the first time since they left the Peddler camp, he’d seen how much she missed and worried for her daughter.