Red Rider RIsing: Book 2 of the Red Rider Saga by D.A. Randall (best books to read for beginners .TXT) 📗

I resumed my place on the stool.

“Dangerous, how?”

“Excuse me, Monsieur.” I flinched at the gruff voice. A tall man marched straight at me. He wore the broad blue cloak of the village police. “I hear you were involved in an incident at Monsieur Favreau’s farm last night.”

I kept my head down a little, hiding beneath the hood as best I could while I studied him. He looked strong and severe, with inky black 244

hair beneath his broad-brimmed hat. He squinted at me with narrow eyes.

Eyes that shone blue-gray.

I stiffened, my blood racing through my veins. The same blue-gray eyes of the wolf that killed Grand’Mere Marie and left me scarred. The same eyes of the wolf that Pierre and I met in the dark tunnel. What in God’s name did it mean?

“I’m Lieutenant-General Vigo Sharrad,” he said, his words coming to me in a fog. “It’s my job to protect the people of La Rue Sauvage. And their farmland.”

“I think someone’s been spreading rumors, Monsieur Sharrad,” Touraine said casually.

Sharrad jutted his broad chin at Touraine, as if threatening to stretch forth and bite him. “And who’s spreading those rumors, do you think?”

Touraine shrugged. “I don’t know. But I can’t imagine anyone fighting off a pack of wolves on their own. Let alone this – person wearing a bright red cloak. Can you?”

“I can imagine a number of things.”

Sharrad glared back at me. “I expect you’ve got a wild imagination, too, don’t you, Monsieur?”

“Monsieur,” Touraine broke in again, leaning on the counter with a smile. “This gentleman’s just here for a drink. Maybe some people don’t like how he looks. Maybe they’re jealous of his cloak. So they’re making up stories about him. He hasn’t really done anything, has he?”

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Sharrad’s eyes burned into me. I kept my head lowered, but kept watching him from the shroud of my large hood. Watching his eyes.

“Not yet,” Sharrad said. “But I’ve heard reports, and I’ll be watching you, Monsieur. If I hear of any more unprovoked attacks on wolves or other animals, you’ll see me again.”

“But, Monsieur,” Touraine continued. “If someone’s killed some of the wolves that are attacking people, that would be good, wouldn’t it?”

Sharrad faced him with his fists on his hips.

“When I need a tavern keeper to help me keep order in the village, you’ll be the first man I call on. Until then, keep quiet and bring me and my friends another round.”

“Of course. Sorry, Monsieur. Be there in a moment.”

Sharrad cast another glare in my direction.

“You keep that crossbow put away while you’re indoors, understand?”

I gave a slow deliberate nod.

Sharrad regarded me another moment

before striding away to his table. I shivered as I watched him go. I couldn’t have seen what I thought I did. It was impossible. But I couldn’t deny it. Those shining eyes were unforgettable. I would have to watch Lieutenant-General Sharrad closely until I could reason it out.

Touraine glanced in Sharrad’s direction.

“Try not to get yourself arrested. Or killed. Seems you’re making the wrong people angry. Of course, now that you’ve killed a couple of giant wolves, you probably think you can handle anything.”

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“Tell me about those men. The ones who enjoy hearing about wolf attacks.”

He nodded back at Lieutenant-General Sharrad before turning to line up several mugs on a tray. “He’s one of them. So is Brocard. They come in here with their friends every time there’s an attack. Someone from their group is usually the first to report it.” He wrinkled his brow. “Matter of fact, I never knew you used a crossbow, ‘til Brocard offered you more bolts.”

“I thought Favreau told everyone that.”

Touraine shook his head as he filled each mug in turn. “No one’s seen Favreau. His brothers found his stray pigs and rounded up most of them.

But Favreau wouldn’t come out or let his daughter out, even when they beat on his door. Kept telling everyone to go away.”

I felt an inner chill. “So how did anyone know about the wolf attack last night? How could anyone know I was there?”

Touraine leaned over the counter and spoke in a lower tone. “Be careful. Someone knows what you did, and they’re spreading the word.”

“Someone who was there,”