Page 39 of The Crimson Wolf
After we walk for a few minutes in silence, I clear my throat to speak. “Thank you for saving me.”
“Of course,” he says, his eyes meeting mine—as intense as they were when he loomed over me on the forest floor.
I break his gaze and stare ahead. “I guess it’s better for you this way.”
“How so?”
“I won’t be a great meal riddled with snake poisoning.”
He clicks his tongue in annoyance. “Oh, my God, shut the fuck up.” He runs his hand down his face.
“No. I’m still a prisoner. If I’m too annoying, just let me go.”
“God, why didn’t I let that snake bite you,” he says up to the clouds.
I walk ahead, not wanting to be near him for another second. “From what I’ve seen, everything you do is stupid, so it doesn’t surprise me.” Maybe I’m the idiot, though, for thinking this time as a prisoner could be useful and I could learn more about my family’s history. There’s no silver lining to my captivity. My focus needs to remain on escaping.
26
Relative Rescue
“Where have you been?” The whole house rattles as the front door slams shut.
Someone’s here. I’m unsure if I should be happy or terrified, but I jump from Cameron’s bed, pressing my ear against the door to listen.
“Hey, wait…” Cameron yells to the unknown visitor.
“I’ve been blowing up your phone for the past two days. You can’t pull that shit with the Blood Moon so soon.”
I know that voice. I bang on Cameron’s bedroomdoor. “Help!”
Silence.
“Cameron, what the fuck?”
Her footsteps pound before she stomps toward his room, fidgeting with the door lock and then swinging it open. “Red?” She gasps, confusion spread across his face.
“Carmen, you have to help me. He’s kidnapped me.”
Cameron steps in front of the front door, his hands over his chest. “I’m protecting you.” He mumbles angrily.
“What’s going on?” she asks, hands on her hips.
I shake my head, singling out a thought. “Wait, how do you two know each other?” The reality that maybe Carmen isn’t my saving grace settles over me. Did she fuck Cameron too? Why does the thought make me angry? Maybe it's because he’s obviously a psychopath.
“He’s my idiot brother.”
Brother? Then that means… “You’re a werewolf?” I ask, finally paying close enough attention to notice the hair crawling down her neck and over her shoulders. Her eyes shine, and her glossy red nails are pointed into claws. I back away from her.
“Fuck, Cameron. You let the New York Times reporter know about us?” She rubs at her temples. “I need a drink.” She walks over to the kitchen, pulling out his bottle of whiskey from the cabinet.
“The Council had her imprisoned. She’s accused of murdering Leroy. She escaped, and I brought her here.”
Carmen puts down her glass. Her eyes darken as she stomps toward me. “You killed Leroy? I knew I shouldn’t have trusted you when I saw you with Jack.”
I back closer to the bedroom door. Maybe Carmen’s the sibling I should be more frightened of. Cameron walks between us, outstretching his arms. “Calm down. She didn’t kill Leroy. I just need to gather evidence. I figured I should wait before going to the Council until after the Blood Moon. As we know, it tends to make us… short-tempered. He eyes Carmen up and down.
She takes a breath and steps backward. “Sorry.”
