Tainted Kisses (All Wrapped Up 3)

Tainted Kisses (All Wrapped Up)
Second Edition
Kate Hill
All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2020 Kate Hill

Smoke from burning cottages stung Niabi's eyes, the scent of it burning her nostrils. Her arms, tightly bound behind her back, ached not only from their uncomfortable position, but from fighting the band of warriors that had attacked the village she had called home for the past five years.

Viking attacks had already destroyed more friends than she cared to remember. Mortal raiders were difficult enough to defend against, but this ruthless fellowship of warriors who had just destroyed her people were different. Even before they reached the village she had caught their scent on the wind -- the scent of blood drinkers. Unlike her and the blood drinker who had created her, this band of warriors used their otherworldly powers to terrorize mankind.

Though she had trained the villagers for battle, they were no match for these monsters, and she was but one against a small army. During the fight she had sought out the one who appeared to be their leader, hoping if she defeated him she might be able to take his army, or at least drive them off. With centuries of experience as a warrior, she had brought many men, both mortal and blood drinker, to their knees, but she hadn't been prepared for this chieftain's power, both in body and mind. By his adeptness at blocking his thoughts from her attempts at mind control, she assumed he must be quite old. He set a new standard for ferocity, even among their kind.

"Faster, boy!" growled the auburn-haired warrior walking behind her, shoving her hard in the back. She staggered, but remained standing.

His addressing her as "boy" didn't surprise her in the least. Much of her life had been spent in male dress, mimicking the voices and mannerisms of men since her femininity might discredit her considerable abilities in a male dominated world. Niabi had arrived in this village as a male warrior interested in helping them defend themselves and had remained as such. With her skill and courage, the people had unanimously decided to look upon her as their leader. She had never failed them -- until now.

After a grueling battle, the chieftain had disarmed her. Her heart still raced at the recent memory of the point of his bloodied sword hovering over her heart as she lay sprawled on the ground. All she could see of his face through his dome-shaped helmet was his eyes. Slanted and silver-gray, they stared at her with unfathomable coldness.

Moments after her defeat, the Viking chieftain claimed the village. He ordered his men to herd the few survivors to what was left of the village square and chain them up. He planned to take them to his homeland as slaves.

She overheard enough to know he had another plan for her. The Blood Eagle. While her people watched, he would execute her -- by ripping out her lungs.

Niabi approached the villagers who huddled together, mostly women and children, their bloodstained faces terrified. The Viking chieftain stood off to the side, flanked by several of his warriors. Tall and lean, he exuded evil like no one she had ever met. He removed his helmet and she stared at his face, wanting to see the bastard who caused so much destruction without the slightest remorse.

She found his rugged features -- a hawkish nose, strong chin, and those cruel gray eyes -- oddly captivating. His pale skin was smeared with dirt, blood, and sweat. A faded scar ran down the length of one sharp cheekbone. Tufts of unkempt black hair hung past his broad shoulders.

"On your knees, insolent whelp!" snarled the auburn-haired warrior, kicking Niabi in the back of her knee. She dropped to the ground in front of the chieftain, but lifted her chin so she met his gaze with all the rage burning inside her.

"There will one day be a price to pay for your evil," she warned.

A wicked smile twisted his slender lips. "There is nothing you can tell me about evil."

He motioned for the auburn-haired warrior to release her bonds. When her hands were free, she flexed her numb fingers but resisted the urge to rub her chafed wrists. The chieftain stepped behind her and in a swift motion tore off her armor and shirt beneath.

A collective gasp rose from the villagers and the Viking warriors at the sight of her sleekly muscled though undoubtedly female form.

Crossing her arms over her breasts, Niabi shivered with fury. Terror rippled down her spine. Glancing defiantly over her shoulder at the chieftain, she said, "Get on with it."

A slightly sick feeling rolled through her when she felt his gloved hand brush across her shoulder blades.

"Anxious to die, are you?" he asked, wrapping her hair around his hand until his fist pressed against the back of her neck. He stooped and spoke into her ear, his deep voice scarcely a whisper. "You realize the Blood Eagle destroys our kind as permanently as piercing the heart or burning to ashes."

"I have lived a long, fulfilling life and I don't fear death. Can you say the same?"

He laughed, a vicious, throaty sound. His hand still tight in her hair, he rose, taking her with him, and guided her through the village.

"Etlu, what are you doing?" called the auburn-haired warrior.

"Don't do anything until I return," the chieftain replied.

So, he was called Etlu. A Sumerian name. Apparently he must be as old as she had suspected.

"But --"

The chieftain stopped abruptly and turned to the man. Though Niabi wouldn't have thought it possible, his glacial eyes turned even colder. "Are you questioning my orders, Horik?"

"No."

"Good." Etlu continued walking out of the village to the nearby woods. There he released his hold on her hair. She spun, glaring at him.

"If you intend to rape me, wouldn't it have made more of an impact to do so in front of my people?"

"They are no longer your people, but my slaves."

Niabi's fists clenched and her teeth ground. She would fight this bastard to the last. He might kill her, but she would take a good chunk of his manhood in the process.

"What would you do to buy their freedom and their lives?" he asked.

"Excuse me?"

"What would you do?"

"This is a pointless discussion. You have no intention of freeing them."

"I didn't, until a few moments ago. You can give me something I want, but the only way I can think of to get it will be to set your mortals free."

"It seems you can take whatever you want without my approval." She hated to admit that fact, yet it was the undeniable truth.

"I want you to come to me freely."

"I don't understand. You want me to let you kill me and be happy about it?"

He shook his head slightly. "I want you to freely come to my bed."