Red Blood (Series of Blood Book 2) by Emma Hamm (best short books to read .TXT) 📕

No one who actually had money went to operas anymore. They went to shows that were created entirely out of magic. She definitely knew they didn’t go to places where the stage was falling down and the curtains had holes eaten into them by moths.

Lyra hid her yawn behind her hand. Staying awake during the entire ordeal proved to be much easier than she had expected. The Red Blood on stage had a set of pipes that were so shrill she was certain her ears were bleeding.

Ironic, considering Lyra was the Siren in the crowd.

Sneep guided her out of the opera and down the street before the last note had ended. Lyra hadn’t been aware that Ents could move that fast, but it was an interesting development she hadn’t known about the giant man.

“Mr. Sneep,” she murmured, “it has been a truly lovely night.”

“It has, my dear. I always have such fun with you.” His nasally voice made her ears ache more than the opera singer.

Lyra tried to guide them down the street towards Red Velvet but was shoved in another direction. There was supposed to be a bodyguard here for her, but the Ogre seemed to have wandered off. Hermon always made sure there were eyes on his girls. But right now, she was alone, and she wasn’t going to let Sneep shove her around. “Hey!”

“Darling, don’t you think it’s time we take our relationship to the next level?”

Next level? Lyra’s brows furrowed. That was a new one.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know what you mean, Mr. Sneep.”

“I see you nearly every week. I buy you lovely gifts. I take you out to the best places that money can buy. Don’t you think it’s time you came home with me?”

There it was. She wanted to roll her eyes while simultaneously taking a bath. There was no amount of scrubbing that was going to get that oily feeling off of her body now.

“Mr. Sneep…” she began. There was so much to say and yet no words that wouldn’t make Hermon want to toss her out onto the streets.

“Don’t speak. I know what you’re going to say.” A street light glinted upon the predatory look in his eyes. “You’re more than welcome to stay as long as you like.”

“I don’t like.” She shook her head and took a step backwards. “You didn’t pay for a night.”

Surely those were the words that would make him stop. He couldn’t afford to rent one of the girls for that. Lyra was off limits when it came to that. Those were her terms when she worked with Hermon.

“I have paid double your price for three weeks.” He appeared offended. “It’s not polite to bring that up, Lyra.”

Her ankle twisted hard as her heel caught on the rough edge of cobblestone. By sheer luck she managed to stay on her feet, but an abandoned street was not the place to have this conversation.

“Listen, I’m not interested.” She tried once more. Her tone was firm. “This will be the last time I am anywhere near you.”

“That won’t do at all.”

It took Lyra only a few moments to realize that his panicked expression was a terrible sign before he reached out to grab her. Unnaturally long fingers slid around her arm and waist. He pulled her against his lean body with a jerk that made her head spin.

“Let me go!” she shouted as she struggled. His hand slid over her mouth to silence her.

In that moment, she realized how truly weak she was. There was nothing she could do to get away from him. She couldn’t even protect herself.

Lyra had never been taught what she could do as a Siren. Her parents wanted to hide her from the world and told her to do nothing other than ignore her powers. There was no legendary Siren scream. There was no magic. There was just her pretty body and her allure that usually meant men gave her what she wanted.

Except right now. She wiggled. She kicked. She tried everything she could to get away from him, but Mr. Sneep continued to drag her down the street towards what she assumed was his home.

Her teeth sank into the flesh of his hand. As he cursed and pulled away, she let loose one more cry for help. It was the best effort she could give as her hope waned.

“I believe the lady said no.” It was not a voice she recognized, but Mr. Sneep stopped in his tracks.

Lyra wilted in relief. She wanted to scream that she didn’t want to go anywhere with him. She wanted to toss herself into the arms of whomever was speaking. None of these things were allowed, as Mr. Sneep’s hand tightened further against her cheeks. Blood saturated her tongue as his fingers pressed too hard towards her teeth.

“This isn’t any of your concern.” She hated that nasally voice. Nothing would please her more than to hear the sharp crack of flesh against bone and that voice screaming in pain.

“It is.”

Mr. Sneep froze. Lyra couldn’t believe he was all that scared of the man in front of him. She couldn’t see her back alley savior, and he hadn’t done much else than speak. So it was strange that the Ent had stopped moving that easily.

It was unexpected but welcome.

Then she heard the sound of gargling. Or maybe it was the sound of choking. Either way, Mr. Sneep’s hand loosened, and he let her sink to the ground.

Scuttling backwards on her hands and knees, she didn’t stop until her back hit a brick building. Her eyes widened in shock as she stared at the scene in front of her.

Her savior was nothing like she had expected. A long black trench coat masked his body from her. He blended into the shadows with both clothing and skin. He was the shadows. She was certain of it.

“Beautiful,” she couldn’t help but murmur.

He shifted slightly towards her. The man wore only pants underneath his long jacket. Every inch