The Lethal Flame (Flame Series) by Angie Arms Read Free Book Online

“Stop.”
    She hiked the cloth up and bolted.  Her bare feet were soundless on the floor and the progress measured by the hammering of his heavy boots on the boards made her heart shudder.  The corridor turned right and she made the corner nimbly then smiled to herself when she heard the giant ox of a man slowed by it.  She dug in harder, her breath coming in short even bursts as she tried to conserve her energy for a long race.  She only had to out distance him.  How many times had she had to call on every bit of her strength and endurance in the hopes of beating Alec and the other young boys she had grown up with?  She would have no time to get her children, but she would come back for them.  She would not leave them in the hands of these men.
    The corridor ended in stairs winding upward, a direction she wished not to go but had no choice.  She bounded up them and had made it up only a few when she tripped in the cloth and she fell, losing a few steps in the process.  Then big hands fell on her and were turning her over but she knew instantly it wasn’t The-man-on-the-gray-horse.  This man hurt her as he dug his fingers into her shoulder.  She saw his face and knew his intent.  She fought and bit at him but he was too big to budge.  He even managed to hike the cloth up to give himself access and was fumbling to free himself all within the blink of an eye.  She was frantic as she panted and strained to throw him off and free herself. 
    Suddenly his weight left her, his fingers tried to find purchase where they gripped the cloth but they fell away underneath the force that lifted him.  A grunt echoed in the stairwell as Keri clambered to her feet, inching up the steps.  She made it to only three when The-man-on-the-gray-horse pierced her with his eyes that were a dark gray in the dim light.  The motion of his hands drew her eyes and she watched him wipe the blood from his dagger before he let her attacker’s body slide to the floor.
    “Come here,” he demanded sliding the dagger into the sheath on his belt. 
    Keri looked at him numbly and shook her head.
    “I’m not asking,” the man said in a voice that brooked no argument.
    Again she shook her head, plastering herself against the wall.  “When do they teach men that?” she asked her body quaking from what nearly happened.
    “Teach us what?” he asked, it was evident in his voice he was trying to remain patient.
    “To touch women like that,” she said struggling to convey to him her repulsion.  “To take without any consideration.  I can’t,” she said shaking her head.  “I can’t come with you because it will only begin again.”
    “You’re being hysterical,” he declared his voice agitated.
    “I am not being hysterical,” she declared indignantly.  “You don’t understand what it’s like.”
    “Come here,” he demanded again, pointing beside him where he wanted her.
    “No,” she said flatly.
    “Don’t make me come get you.”
    “Do you think you scare me?” she demanded feeling ridiculous trying to have a standoff with him.
    “I don’t think anything scares you,” he said and she felt as if it was not a compliment.  His next words confirmed this, “That is where you are most foolish.  Come here.”
    His words were gentler this time and she descended to him, what other choice did she have?  He nodded to her and began to turn away.  She took that opportunity to bolt past him.  Agilely she sidestepped him before he could react and flew back along the corridor.  Reaching the corner she prepared to make the quick turn when The-man-in-the-hood stepped out before her.  She collided with him at full force.  He was like a rock wall and she bounced off him landing hard on the floor.  She didn’t have time to catch her breath before The-man-on-the-gray-horse was roughly dragging her to her feet.
    With a restraining hand on her elbow he guided her down the corridor.  “No,” she shrieked trying to jerk