Blood Challenge Read Online Free Page B

you.”
    She swallowed, resisting the urge to plead with Viggo to accompany her. She didn’t feel comforted by his presence in any sense except she didn’t want to face Rica alone. Ellie squared her shoulders. “Thanks for showing me the way.”
    “You can find your way back?”
    “If I’m still alive,” she offered with a hesitant grin.
    “Yes,” Viggo agreed, deadpan, and turned to walk back to his home.
    She watched him go, delaying the inevitable moment of confrontation. Finally, she couldn’t put it off any longer and walked to the fence, opening the wooden gate. She walked up the wooden walkway and stepped onto the porch. His house was charming in a quaint way. The sort of place her parents might rent if they ever lowered themselves to take a roughing-it vacation.
    She eyed the intricate wood moldings around the door and traced a finger down the ornate design of the wood. She was about to reach for the knocker—the head of a wolf, with a ring in its mouth—when the door opened. She took a step back, bracing herself, wondering what he would do to her.
     
     
    Chapter 3
     
    He hadn’t put his shirt on. That was the first thing she noticed. The second was his hard expression. He stared at her without speaking. Ellie took a deep breath and tried to smile. “Viggo said you wanted to see me.”
    He nodded, taking a step back to allow her to walk inside. “Come in.”
    She swallowed and forced her feet forward, brushing past Rica’s impressive frame as she entered the dim living room. Lanterns provided a surprising amount of cozy light. She walked into the main room and looked back at him, waiting while he closed the door and walked over to her.
    He moved silently, with inherent grace. Rica stopped a couple of feet from her. He didn’t sit on the overstuffed sofa, and he didn’t offer her a seat. He crossed his arms. His gaze swept over her. “What is that ridiculous stuff on your face?”
    That wasn’t the question she had expected. Ellie unconsciously pushed back strands of short blonde hair to reveal the complete tattoo on her cheek. It was an intricate design of blue lines. Each line was of varying lengths, and all met in the center of the design. The lines represented the lifespans of the chiefs of the Árvore tribe, while the dot in the center of the tattoo stood for the heart of the people.
    “It’s a symbol of the Árvore tribe of South America. I stayed with them for a while.” She touched the silver spike in her left brow, above large gray eyes. “A product of misspent youth.” She extended her left forearm. “This is a marker of the different groups of people I’ve lived with through the years.”
    “Why have you lived with these people?”
    Her mind raced for an answer. She couldn’t reveal she had written books about a few little-known tribes. Ellie thought Rica wouldn’t have any trouble grasping what her profession was, or what her purpose was in coming to Corsova, if he knew that. “I took an extended vacation for a time. I felt like staying with the groups and learning from them. It was a growing experience.”
    “What were you on vacation from?” Again, his gaze swept over her. “You don’t strike me as the hardworking, useful type.”
    Her eyes narrowed at the insult, but she couldn’t retort and maintain the façade she had adopted. She shrugged and tried to project a simpering smile. “Oh, whatever strikes my fancy. Mother and Daddy don’t care if I hold a real job. They know I’m gaining life experience.”
    He snorted, leaving no doubt of his opinion about that. “Well, don’t expect to gain life experience with us. I’m permitting you to stay until the spring thaw, but you aren’t a guest. You’ll help Davinia with whatever chores she has. You’ll also be available to the other women, if they ask for help.” He shook his head. “That’s doubtful.”
    “Thank you. I appreciate your hospitality. You’re too kind.” She couldn’t hold back a trace of