Free Vulcan's Woman by Jennifer LaRose Page A

discuss it.”
    “Her people,” the chieftain replied.
    Wisteria’s lashes fluttered open at the disgusted tone of
his voice. Jade was reaching forward to place a leaf but retracted her hand and
gazed into Wisteria’s eyes. “Your own people did this?” She glanced at the
Barbarian over her shoulder. “How did you come about her rescue?”
    Rescue? The Barbarians never rescued anyone. They
murdered people. As she’d seen with her own eyes moments ago.
    “I followed her screams,” the man said then he pushed the flap
aside and stomped from the hut.
    Jade laid the final leaf on Wisteria’s thigh, patted it into
place then stood. “Rest for a while. Before sunrise, Tyran and I will escort
you to the lake so you may wash away the blood.”
    Wisteria nodded as the woman sauntered through the doorway
into the night. As her footsteps faded in the distance, Wisteria inhaled a
much-needed breath then glanced around the spacious area. The back wall
consisted of solid rock. The other three were comprised of dark animal hides. A
thin stream of water flowed along the rocks into a shallow pool where it
swirled then drained through a thin channel to someplace outside. A small ax
lay beside it along with a sharp, flat-bladed tool that looked as if it were
made from flint. It wasn’t much longer than her fingers but it looked effective
enough to fight off a monster-sized Barbarian, should the need arise.
    Everyone knew the Barbarians mastered weaponry and she was
looking at proof of their skill. What would be said if she used his own weapon
to slash him to pieces? If he came near her, that’s exactly what she’d try to
do. Unlike her people who cowered when confronted, she’d fight.
    Had Sledge’s accusations of deceit truly convinced them she
no longer belonged in their clan? Was that why they’d refused to help? No. She
couldn’t think those types of thoughts. She was feeling sorry for herself,
which affected her ability to think clearly. Everyone feared the Barbarians.
Why would her people risk their lives to protect her? She wasn’t sure they would’ve
helped had she not betrayed them. Even her father appeared frightened and might
not have stood up for her mother had she been threatened.
    Were they even alive?
    Wisteria blinked away tears. She couldn’t bear anything
happening to her mom or Ivy. Ivy had fought so hard for Wisteria’s life. Had
anyone defended her?
    Stop it! You can’t think horrible thoughts right now.
    She had to do something. She couldn’t go on, blinded by her
family’s fate.
    Deep voices echoed outside. She held her breath and listened
as they drew near. She sprang across the hut, grabbed the weapon and returned
to the hide. Lying down on her side, she pulled her knees to her tummy and
clutched the handle.
    The flap swooshed open. She snapped her eyes shut, feigning
sleep. She didn’t need to confirm it was him . She sensed his huge body
along with his gaze assessing her as he neared, the bottom of his fur scuffing
the ground.
    Don’t come any closer.
    She parted her lips and forced herself to breathe. One shaky
breath after another expelled from her chest. Tightening her grip on the
handle, she slightly rolled on top of the blade, concealing it from his view.
    I don’t know if I can do this. She couldn’t even kill
bugs.
    What if the blade wouldn’t penetrate his thick furs? What if
she failed to harm him at all? Would her shattered attempt provoke a quick
death? He could easily snap her neck with a twist of his hands, which outshined
a long, torturous punishment.
    His breaths echoed inside the headpiece as he squatted
beside the pelt. She gulped and her heart jumped in her chest. Her eyelids
twitched while she fought to keep them closed.
    Seconds seemed to drone on forever and she sensed him
staring the entire time. As desperately as she wanted to plunge the blade into
his guts she couldn’t gather the nerve.
    Finally he stood, offering her a reprieve. She peeked
beneath her lashes.