RedKnife (Skin Walkers Book 2)

by Susan Bliler

  Moving into the kitchen, she was surprised to find a small area nestled on the opposite side of the stone hearth. A computer desk was set up there with a desktop computer and a printer. It gave her an idea, and she walked to the computer and jiggled the mouse, hoping it wasn’t locked. Luck was on her side.

  ***

  RedKnife was eager to get home before Cindy woke. He didn’t want her growing fearful if she woke in a new place all alone. He’d been making arrangements for food delivery. Brooklyn had ordered them a few things that had come earlier in the morning, but it’d only hold them over for a while.

  Ascending the front steps, his heart did a double beat when her scent hit him. She was in his home, and he felt possessiveness punch him in the gut even as excitement shot through him.

  Opening the door, he found her seated at the dining table, sipping a glass of orange juice. As he entered, she rose and smiled tentatively.

  “Thank you for my gift. It’s really great. Honestly, it’s the most thoughtful thing anyone’s ever given me.”

  Too excited to get home to her, he’d forgotten all about the present he’d left. He was proud that she liked it.

  “Here.” She stepped forward and held something out to him. It was a piece of paper. “I wanted to get you something too.” She shrugged and looked away. “It’s the best I could do…under the circumstances.”

  Stepping toward her, he eyed her arm as he took the paper. “How are you feeling?”

  “Good, actually.” She rolled her shoulder to show him. “It doesn’t hurt at all, which is odd.”

  His eyes dipped to the paper and his heart stilled. It was a picture of her, sitting on the front steps of StoneCrow Manor. It was summer, and the sun shone brightly down on her. Glints of red and gold were highlighted in her hair, and her eyes were crinkled in in delight as she smiled broadly at the camera.

  “It’s not much,” she shrugged. “I hope you don’t mind. I pulled it up from my Facebook account on your computer and printed it. I hope that’s okay.”

  Still looking down, mesmerized by the photo, he simply nodded once. He’d so rarely seen her smile since he’d met her, and he decided in that moment that it was his favorite look on her. No, it isn’t. He thought back to the flush on her cheeks and her hooded, heat-filled eyes as he’d made love to her. That was his favored look on her. He swallowed hard when the memory had his cock jerking to life.

  Watching him stare intently at the picture, Cindy fidgeted nervously. Had she done something wrong? Maybe it was an insult to give a Walker a picture? “Flip it over,” she directed, hoping to give him some insight into why she’d gifted it.

  The back read, ‘Friends are family too. Thank you for being my friend.’

  Clearing her throat, she hurried to explain. “I know you said you wanted family, and I can’t really be that, but I can be your friend.”

  What she was offering was something he’d never had. Selfishly he wanted more from her, and the thought had his brows spearing down.

  “And it’s been my experience,” she hurried on, “That great friends are just as good as family, if not better sometimes.”

  Finally, he lifted his head, pinning her with eyes she couldn’t read. She was saved from having to gauge his reaction when the front door creaked open.

  “Knock, knock!” Stoney’s head poked around the door, her eyes landing on where Cindy and RedKnife stood facing each other in the living room. “Am I interrupting? I can come back.”

  “Stay.” RedKnife commanded, then turned without saying anything to Cindy and left the cabin.

  “Oo-kay.” Stoney pulled a face as RedKnife exited. “Well.” She turned to Cindy. “How ya doing? I’m here to change your bandages. Is now a good time?”

  Returning her smile, Cindy nodded, trying to hide her disappointment at RedKnife’s reaction to her gift. “Yes. Please, come in.” Cindy eyed the door. “Isn’t there a Sentry with you?”

  “No,” Stoney snorted. “Why would there be?”

  “Are you kidding? After what happened? Now, I think even RedKnife believes I’m a terrorist.” It’d explain his behavior.

  Stoney’s stalled halfway to the kitchen table, her mouth falling open in a shocked ‘O’. One assessing look later, and she shook her head. “I can’t believe he didn’t tell you,” she mumbled. “Men are so dumb!” She set her first aid kit on the table and opened it up before snapping on a pair of rubber gloves and opening several bandages. “You’re not being kept in, Cin. He’s keeping everyone else out.”

  Cindy shook her head in confusion. “To keep them away from me. You should have seen that Walker that grabbed me at the bonfire.” Her brows stabbed down, emotion clogging her throat at the memory. “They actually thought I was trying to hurt that little girl, but I….” She swiped at a tear that traced down her cheek. “You know me, Stoney. I wouldn’t do that, I couldn’t.”

  Stoney smiled sadly. “I know you wouldn’t, Cin. And no one else believes it either. Even Ash knows he was a total ass. Almost as big an ass as RedKnife, apparently.” She shook her head in disgust. “RedKnife’s not worried about you hurting anyone. He’s worried about them hurting you.” She pulled Cindy to a seat at the table and started picking at the tape on the lower part of her arm. “We’re all in trouble for what happened to you, and no one is above his ire. Hell, even King’s been giving him a wide berth.”

  But that doesn’t make sense. “He seems angry.”

  “Well, he is.” Stoney slowly peeled the gauze from Cindy’s arm. “But he’s not mad at you, that’s for damn sure.”

  “You’re…you’re saying he’s upset on my behalf and not at me?”

  “Why in the hell would he be mad at you? You saved a Walker child, and at great personal cost to yourself. You’re a hero. Everyone’s talking about it.”

  Cindy heaved a great sigh and slumped back against in the chair. “I’m not a hero. I’m an idiot. My life has become one giant bowl of shit!”

  “Geez,” Stoney tried to hold back a laugh. “You need to try to be more optimistic.”

  “Fine.” Cindy gave her a pointed look. “My bowl’s half-full of shit. Does that help?”

  Stoney couldn’t hold back her laugh this time. “You’re crazy.”

  The laughter was infectious and soon Cindy was laughing along with her friend.

  Stoney continued to slowly and carefully peel back the taped gauze on Cindy’s arm. When it fell free, she stilled. “Holy shit!”

  “What?” Stoney’s alarm had Cindy leaning forward, trying to get a better look at her injury.

  “It’s…gone!”

  “Gone?” Cindy lifted her arm higher to inspect her wounds. Perfect flesh met her eyes. “But…”

  “Oh my God! Jenny was right!”

  “Right about what?” Cindy pulled the rest of the gauze free, but no matter how closely she looked, she couldn’t find any wound at all.

  “She said RedKnife told her he’d heal you. He did!”

  Cindy rubbed her hand over the smooth skin of her arm. “But…how?”

  Stoney stared at her arm in disbelief. “I have no idea. This is unheard of, even with Angels.”

  “Angels? Like, you mean…miracles?”

  Stoney laughed hard. “No. Angels are Walker mates.” She turned contemplative and tapped her chin. “But he’d have to be afflicted first.”

  “Afflicted? Angels? What are you talking about?”

  Stoney stood and tossed the gauze in the trash. “The affliction is a reaction a Walker has when he meets his mate. It’s impossible to miss. He’ll be incapacitated, and it’ll hurt until he claims her.”

  “Hurt?”

  Stoney smiled. “Only the Walker is affected.”

  “And this affliction tells him that he’s found his one?”

  Stoney nodded.

  “What do you mean by claim her? Sex?” She tried to appear nonchalant, merely curious.

  “Sex is only part of it. She needs to be bound, too.”


  Cindy’s eyes rounded. “Bound!”

  “Not like that.” Stoney laughed, lifting a hand to her throat. “It means gifting her with his halo.”

  Dipping her eyes, Cindy eyed the silver band that she’d noted all Walkers wore. “His necklace?”

  “It’s more than a necklace. It’s part of who we are. It is a gifting of part of our very soul.”

  “But it all starts with affliction,” Cindy whispered to herself, and then asked more loudly. “What if…” Cindy sucked in her bottom lip as she frowned. “What if there is no affliction?”

  “Then there’s no mating. A Walker can only be affected by his angel.”

  Disappointment settled in a leaden weight in Cindy’s belly. There had been no affliction for RedKnife. She wasn’t his angel, which fucking sucked because she had fallen for him. “Has a Walker ever taken a mate that wasn’t his angel?”

  Stoney thought on it and then shook her head. “Not that I’ve heard of.” She caught Cindy’s look of regret and rushed on. “But RedKnife is different. He’s indigenous.”

  “Meaning?”

  “Meaning he’s a direct descendent. None of us truly knows what he is capable of, but this!” She stared in awe. “This is a fucking game changer. Especially since you’re not his angel.”

  The words hurt and Cindy ducked her head.

  “Aw, Cin. I’m sorry. I didn’t… Are you two getting close?”

  Close? They’d slept together, and she was living with him. It didn’t get much closer in a relationship than that, but Cindy didn’t get a chance to answer. RedKnife entered with an angry scowl. “Monroe is coming.”

  Stoney shoved her things back in her first aid kit. “And that’s my cue to leave.” She bent and hugged Cindy. “I’ll call you soon. We’ll do lunch or,” her eyes dipped to Cindy’s healed arm. “Something.”

  Stoney exited just as Monroe, accompanied by King, hit the porch and strolled in without bothering to knock.

  “What?” RedKnife snarled by way of greeting, moving to block Cindy from the Dominant’s line of sight.

  Monroe smirked. “And hello to you, too.”

  “RedKnife.” Cindy’s voice was gentle behind him, causing him to relax his aggressive stance and turn to her, placing a hand on her shoulder as he stood protectively over her.

  “Ms. Sambrano.”

  Monroe’s cool greeting grated on RedKnife. After all she’d endured because of the Dominant’s doubt, he still had the nerve to walk in like nothing had happened.

  Ignoring Monroe, Cindy stood, lifting RedKnife’s hand from her shoulder and planting a kiss on his palm before she took the stairs and disappeared into their room.

  When Monroe’s eyes tracked her, RedKnife once again stepped to block his view. “I’m over here, asshole!”

  Monroe chuffed a laugh. “How’s she doing?”

  RedKnife ignored Monroe’s polite query. “What do you want?”

  Shrugging, Monroe faced him. “I found a way for us all to get what we want.”

  At Monroe’s flash of smile, RedKnife tensed. When Monroe StoneCrow had what he thought was a good idea, it didn’t bode well for those involved. Grinding his teeth together, RedKnife waited.

  “I realized that I don’t need Cindy for answers. I can go to the source. Correction. You can go to the source.”

  RedKnife’s expression darkened.

  “Bring me her brother.”

  King, who’d been standing silently behind the CEO staring at RedKnife, snapped his gaze to the Monroe with a frown.

  Fuck! RedKnife tensed. “You want me to bring you the brother of my One?”

  Monroe leaned forward slightly, the hint of grin tweaking his lips. “Your what?”

  RedKnife lowered his voice. “She’s been protecting him. How do you think she’s going to react when I drag him here for you?”

  Again, Monroe shrugged. “It’s him or her. I’ll let you decide.”

  Thick arms were crossed over an impressive chest as darkened eyes leveled on the Dominant. “We can run.”

  “Yes.” Monroe lifted the cuff of his well-tailored suit as he flicked a speck of something from the navy material. “But you can’t hide.” His clear blue eyes glinted with challenge as they met RedKnife’s. “And why should you run?” He shrugged negligently. “I mean, if this brother can in fact prove her innocence, I’m somewhat amazed that you never thought to bring him to me sooner.”

  Bastard! RedKnife knew what Monroe was doing. He was goading him, challenging him, and making him look like a bad mate to his One. “She loves her brother,” he ground out through clenched teeth. “She’s been doing all of this to protect him, as a debt to her parents. Me giving him to you would devastate her.”

  Monroe lifted a hand to press a forefinger to his lips in mock contemplation before finally asking, “What do you suppose she’d find more offensive? You surrendering her brother? Or attempting to save her at all costs, even with the potential loss of her affection?”

  Selfless. It’s what Monroe was challenging him to prove that he was, but he didn’t think he had it in him. RedKnife wanted his cake, and to eat it too. There had to be a way to spare Cody and to prove Cindy’s innocence. His mind worked at a frantic pace, knowing that if he did in fact drag Cody back to Monroe, that it’d most likely be the end of whatever was forming between him and Cindy.

  “Why can’t you just let this go?” RedKnife hissed, trying to keep Cindy from hearing from the bedroom.

  “Because.” Monroe’s grin disappeared. “Walker lives are at stake.”

  Stepping forward, RedKnife bent until he was nose-to-nose with the Dominant. “I’ll get her fucking brother, and then you’ll leave her alone.” It wasn’t a request. “You’ll leave us alone!”

  A slight nod of the head was all Monroe offered before he turned and strode toward the door. “I’ll expect him this evening.” Then he was gone, leaving King staring at RedKnife.

  For long minutes, the two men stared each other down. RedKnife knew what he wanted, and finally relented. “It doesn’t work like that.” He’d just healed Cindy and was sure all of the Walkers were buzzing about it. It was unheard of, and he had no doubt King had questions about whether his abilities could have extended to King’s Lilly when she was injured. “I couldn’t have healed your Lilly. I can only heal what’s mine.”

  “Is she yours?” King challenged.

  “It feels like it.”

  The corner of King’s mouth lifted. “Are you afflicted yet?” RedKnife tilted his head back, his eyes closing as grief washed over him. It was all the answer King needed.

  Chapter 26

  In the bedroom, Cindy could only make out muffled voices. Part of her wished she’d stayed to see what Monroe wanted, but a bigger part just wanted to be away from him. He was intimidating and ornery. Nothing like her RedKnife. She gave a lady-like snort. My RedKnife? Since when he is he my anything?

  The bedroom door clicked open and RedKnife entered, looking… Well, she didn’t know how he looked. Sexy, of course, but something was lurking behind his dark eyes. He wouldn’t meet her gaze, and that worried her.

  “RedKnife?”

  He stalked across the room, but stopped halfway to her. “I need something.”

  Excitement flitted through her. He hadn’t touched her sexually since he’d brought her to his home. She assumed it was because she was injured, but now that her bandages were off, maybe…

  His eyes locked on hers, darkening dramatically. His look was severe, full of intent, but not the sexual intent or heat she’d hoped for. The sudden change had her backing up a step even as he took one toward her.

  “W-what?”

  He lifted a strong hand and pulled the halo from his throat. It hissed as it branded his flesh upon removal, and Cindy swore her heart slammed into the wall of her chest. Mouth suddenly dry, she backed up again. “What are you…” She lifted her eyes from his now-scarred throat. “What are you doing?”

  “I can’t leave you undefend
ed,” he stated, as he took another calculated step toward her, this one cutting off any chance of escape.

  Cindy inhaled sharply when her back hit the wall. Nowhere to run! Her eyes dipped to the halo still fisted in RedKnife’s grip.

  “What do you mean?” She shook her head in confusion. “What do you need? Her eyes were round with fear. “What are you doing?”

  “I’m backed into a corner.” He advanced another step. “In order to protect you, I have to leave you.”

  “Take me with you.” The words rushed out when her fear spiked at the prospect of him leaving her alone at the Estate with Monroe and the other Walkers who didn’t trust her.

  He shook his head. “I can’t. But I can…”

  One hand shot out and grabbed her, pulling her tight into him as his arm clamped around her lower back.

  Cindy pushed on his chest. “RedKnife, don’t!” She didn’t even know what she was asking him not to do, she just knew from his solemnity that something was about to change between them.

  “Trust,” he whispered at her ear, pulling her closer. “Trust. Me.”

  His tone was imploring, and she felt guilty for fighting him, but he was being so cryptic. She didn’t know what was happening. His lips pressed against her temple, and then he lifted the halo. When she realized his intent, she fought him. Stoney had said a halo was for a mate only! A mating began with the affliction, and there was none. She wasn’t his mate, which meant his halo didn’t belong to her!

  Kicking out and punching at his chest, Cindy writhed in his arms as panic assailed her. “NO! Please, RedKnife.” Her voice broke on a sob. “Not like this!”

  It was too late. He thrust the halo forward and it slid around her throat, clicking into place. RedKnife tilted his head back and hissed, long and low, as a bright flash of ethereal light exploded from the halo, accompanied by a high-pitched whine.

  Cindy went lax. It felt like her muscles melted, and all strength left her body. The last thing she remembered was RedKnife’s words. ‘I’m backed into a corner.’

  He’d just claimed her, and he’d done it out of some messed up sense of obligation.