Crimson's Captivation by LLC Melange Books Read Free Book Online

chain and immediately recognized it. “This
is the necklace I gave her. Where did you get it?”
    “A gift from the tracker.”
    “A gift? Where can I find this tracker? What
is his name?”
    The creature grumbled under the blanket. “So
many questions … My answers would come more clearly in the darkness
of the forest.” The creature's tone changed to that of hope, to
that of a barterer.
    “No! Your answers will come now or you will
once and only once see the light of day.” Viktor walked away from
the creature while moving his horse away. The blanket slowly lifted
and began to slide off the creature.
    The creature hissed under the blanket and
grabbed its fabric. “Stop!”
    Viktor halted the horse. “Speak then. I am
losing my patience with you.”
    Invisible hands mounded folds of the blanket,
pulling it down over the packhorse. The creature spoke. “Yes, our
worlds are black and white. Without gray, there should be no
dilemma but there is my lord, and it braves the distance between my
answers and your questions. If you want the name. If you want the
location. Then we must close that distance, my Lord. We must reach
an understanding.”
    Viktor stared at the diamond in the palm of
his hand. He let the gold chain of Crimson’s necklace sift through
his fingers like fine sand. The clasp was broken and he feared the
worst. He kissed the diamond and placed it in his pocket. “What is
your suggestion creature? I’m not foolish enough to take you to the
shadows.”
    “Not foolish but you must.” The creature
rotated under the blanket. “There! Take me along the tree line
north of here, away from the troops and, when I tell you the
answers, simply slap this animal on the ass and I will be off. You
will have your answers and I my safety.” A sucking sound from the
creature reminded Viktor of the fangs, of what this horror was.
    Viktor thought for a moment. “Very well. I
will take you closer to the tree line but I have no qualms in
killing you.” Viktor untied the reins of the packhorse from the
stake and held them as they headed toward the tree line. He stopped
on a side road that bordered the rye field. “This is as close as I
will take you, give me the answers.”
    The creature lifted the blanket just enough
to see the forest to his north. Satisfied that he was close enough
to the safety of the forest, he gave the answers. “His name is
Kieran and he has taken your princess to the auction house in
Poland.”
    “Where in Poland?”
    “Don’t know but ask any elder in your court,
they will know of Kieran and they will know of the trade.”
    Viktor didn’t believe the creature and turned
the team of horses back toward the middle of the field.
    “What are you doing?” the creature
yelped.
    “I don’t believe you. Princess Sophia would
know nothing of such trade. There is honor in her court.”
    The creature beseeched, “She may not be a
patron but she knows. They all do!”
    Viktor kept heading toward the middle of the
field ignoring the creature’s lies. The blanket suddenly thrust
into the air and the creature made a break for the trees. He
screamed as the sunlight burned and marred his skin. Viktor watched
the blanket float and settle onto the field, all the while hoping
the sun’s rays would slaughter the creature.
    The creature made it to the safety of the
trees, howled out in pain. “Do not leave, my Lord! Truth hides in
the shadows!” His scream was powerful and full of rage as he
quickly moved through the shadows.
    Viktor stopped and looked for the creature in
the dark canopy of spruce. He saw a limb sag under his weight and
waited.
    The creature scouted Viktor from the bow of a
tree. Smoke rose from his hair, cheeks and scorched hands. He
yelled, “I tell you this so that I may have my revenge one day.
Your countess knows. They all do. I will see you again in the
depths of hell that is Poland. I am Kieran’s brother. Remember my
name. It’s Caspian.”
    Viktor yelled back, “We will