Free Born of Night by Celeste Anwar Page A

soon,” Gabriel said reassuringly.
    Jessica didn’t feel the least bit reassured. “I said no.”
    “You don’t have any choice,” the woman ground out, tugging her forward.
    Jessica dug her heels in, grabbing Gabriel with her free hand. She was just before ripping the woman’s hair out.
    “Please, chere, for me.”
    She sighed and released him. “Okay. You have to come back for me. I don’t want to be wondering if you’re dead or alive all night.”
    “You know I live ta please, cherie,” he said, and she could hear the smile in his voice.
    “I’ll kick your ass for you if you’re lying.” She felt a little assured that he wouldn’t run off and die on her. But not much. She refused to dwell on it.
    Grudgingly, she went with the woman, who pulled her through the woods at a pace too fast for her to easily keep half blind. Brambles tore at her exposed legs, dirt and pebbles skittered into her sandals and under her heels. She kept up as best as she could, since she had no other choice.
    She said nothing as the woman brought her to a lighted tent that looked big enough five adults could easily spread out inside.
    The woman released her and opened the flap, gesturing for her to move inside.
    When Jessica didn’t move fast enough, she pushed her. Jessica tripped over the opening and fell on the floor, sucking in a sharp breath as her knees bruised on the hard ground.
    Jessica whipped her head around, giving the auburn haired woman a scathing look.
    “You bitch,” she gritted out, her hands clenching with the need to rip that shiny red hair from her skull. She’d taken as much of this shit as she was about to take.
    “Fuck you,” the woman sneered and raised her hand to slap Jessica.
    Jessica lunged for her, her fingers curved into claws, digging into the woman’s legs as she dragged them out from under her. The woman went down and rolled instantly, slashing at Jessica with her nails. She growled primitively, missing Jessica’s eyes by a hair’s breadth.
    Jessica drew back in a split second, crouching on her haunches, sidling past the center pole of the tent, keeping the woman distant. She eyed the tent opening, wondering if she could make it past. She decided to risk it. She dove for the opening, running into the dark. The woman’s fingers scrabbled at her dress, pulling her back just as Jessica ran into a meaty wall.
    Cruel fingers dug into her arms, making her gasp as she fought the hold. Jessica kneed him in the groin, and he barely grunted before crushing his fingers into her biceps.
    “Lavinia, can’t you do any fucking thing you’re told? Are you so weak you can’t hold on to a human?” the man sneered the last word like it left shit in his mouth.
    The woman, Lavinia, came up behind her and snatched her hair, pulling her head back until she thought her scalp bled. “Kiss my fuckin’ ass, Lado,” she ground out and dragged Jessica back inside.
    Jessica growled in impotent fury as her arms were forced behind her back and tied to the center pole. She kicked out as Lavinia came around her, connecting with her shins. Lavinia cursed and grinned maliciously before slapping her hard across the face. Bright light exploded on the left side of her face, and Jessica tasted blood as her teeth rattled.
    The woman chuckled and tied her feet together while she sat there, stunned. Lastly, she gagged Jessica, then zipped the opening closed as she left.
    Jessica blinked the pain back, focusing on her surroundings. There was nothing inside but sleeping bags rumpled from their fight. She craned her head around, looking for a weapon or something to cut the cord, but still found nothing. The tent was empty of anything even remotely useful. Obviously, they’d been expecting to house her inside it. The thought left her cold and miserable.
    She couldn’t sit there and worry about it. She refused to worry about it. Worrying caused more harm than good.
    Jessica wiggled her fingers, thankful the rope was at least