Page 11 of Born of Blood and Thorns

As soon as he was out of sight. I let a loud exhale out and fell to my knees. My head tilted back as I thanked the goddesses for yet another day, grateful I hadn't pissed myself in fear.

CHAPTER 5

Bella

The cave surrounded me, its rough walls slick with moisture and glistening like the obsidian scales of a snake. As I cautiously stepped into the darkness, the damp floor squelched beneath my boots. Deep crevices branched off from the main chamber, whispering their secrets to the shadows that lurked within. The air was cool and heavy with an earthy scent, sending a chill down my spine. I wrapped my arms around myself for warmth and comfort, though I knew there would be little to be found in this place.

After years of being numb from cold and starving, there were worse fates. I would survive this. I hoped.

Heavy footsteps echoed through the chamber, and I blinked against the dim light. As the light of day began to crest far above me, a man appeared from the tunnel across from me. I scrambled to my feet, shivering as puffs of white air escaped my lips. He stared at me for a long moment, raging over my body before meeting my eyes.

He was beautiful in a classical sense. From what I could make out across the expanse, his features were symmetrical, and his body was honed with lean muscle that spoke of the hours of training he had to do to maintain it. When the sun hit his body, I could tell his hair was a dark shade of auburn, almost brown, until the light caught the soft strands. It shimmered in the same shades as the scales of the dragon that now haunted my waking dreams.

"Who are you and why am I here?" I demanded, stomping closer but careful not to topple over the ledge.

The man said nothing, grabbing a rope knotted at the end and looped for a foothold. He swung it toward me, grunting in disapproval when I failed to grab it. As it turned back, he leaned over, snatching it with a frown. "Grab the rope," he demanded in a deep, gruff voice, swinging my way harder.

I leaned dangerously over the ledge, snatching it up and considering my options: freeze on this ledge or go with the grumpy, attractive man.

The man's scowl deepened. "I'll be asking the questions. Who are you, and why have you trespassed onto my lands?" His voice was deep and commanding, with a strange, foreign, almost ancient-sounding lilt to his words.

I seriously considered staying as I let the rope swing back his way, and he snatched it back up, lifting an eyebrow at me in warning. I crossed my arms and pressed my lips together, shooting a glare his way. "Your lands?" I shot back. "I was running for my life and ended up here by accident."

He moved closer to the edge, his imposing frame towering over me even from a distance. I refused to let him intimidate me, glaring defiantly into his piercing cerulean eyes. I held his stare as I tilted my head up.

"I don't believe you," he growled. "You reek of death and deception. I know a vampire when I smell one."

My eyes widened in shock. How could he tell?

"Half vampire," I corrected through gritted teeth. "And I'm telling the truth—I stumbled here while fleeing the alpha's wolves."

The man said nothing, merely swinging the rope to me again, his eyes daring me not to take it as if this were the last time he'd offer. There was a challenge in the depths of his blue eyes that told me he would leave me. So, with a huff, I snatched the rope back, my arms dropping to reach out and take it, forcing me to stumble forward.

I planted my foot on the rope and swung with it as my body went over the chasm separating me from freedom. A yelp escaped my mouth as I forced myself not to look down. The man grabbed my body and held the rope as I dropped off the rope onto my knees once again. This time, kneeling in front of a stranger.

I quickly jumped up and stumbled back close to the ledge, my body tipping over. A scream built in my throat, and the man grabbed my hand, pulling me back up. My heart picked up speed as I knew the plummet would be long and the impact painful.

Still, I didn't piss myself. I stood plastered to this man's chest before he carefully pulled me away from the ledge and down the tunnel.

The man leaned down, inhaling deeply as his eyes roamed my face. My traitorous heart quickened at his sudden proximity, at the heat that seemed to radiate from his broad chest.

"Lies," he hissed. "You were sent here as a spy for the bloodsuckers."

"I don't even know where 'here' is!" I yelled in exasperation. "Now let me go, you arrogant brute!"

A flicker of amusement crossed the man's stoic features. "Arrogant brute? You have spirit, I'll give you that. But you're not going anywhere until I have the truth."

I blew an exasperated breath out. "You want the truth? I'm running for my life from shifters and vampires alike. All I want is somewhere safe to hide, not to be imprisoned by an egomaniac!"

The man's eyes bored into mine, flashing with anger... and something more. The torchlight danced across his chiseled face as he considered my words. Finally, he turned abruptly and strode away.

"We're not done here," he called over his shoulder before disappearing into the shadows.

He left me alone and fuming, my heart racing from the strange exhilaration of our confrontation. I rushed forward so that I could see his back once again, my legs moving fast to keep up with his long stride.

"Who are you?" I demanded, grabbing his arm to stop him as we walked swiftly down the darkened tunnel. My dear old dad's lineage gave me above-average night vision, but he couldn't know that. He ignored me, plowing forward without a glance back. I hurried to catch up.

Finally, we exited the tunnel into the bright light of the day, and my hand shot up to shield my eyes from the blinding light. I started to look around for an escape. We were in what looked like a courtyard, the tunnel opening up. In the distance was an actual castle, and we trotted toward it at maximum speed. My dress tangled in my legs as I tried to keep up. Finally, I lifted my skirt and jogged after the man.

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