Chapter Seventeen – Red

"Her hair is bloody red, is it not?" Nikolai didn't keep his eyes away from the small window of the solid heavy door. He was biting down hard, evident by the tense sharp edges of his jawline. "It has been two days, and she refuses to eat. She will die if she does not take in anything." His voice was now softer, almost as if he was concerned.

I didn't know how else I could help. We all took our turn to speak with her, but she was silent during all those times. "Don't worry, Nikolai. If she is smart, then she'll know that she needs to recuperate her energy in order to escape. She'll eat." Even as I spoke to him, he stood still, on guard. Never keeping his view away from the window.

"I am going back inside to talk some sense into her."

I grabbed his shoulder before he could open the door. "Don't, Nikolai. Remember the last time you went in there, she almost killed you with her bare hands. She blames you for being a prisoner."

He shook his head in disparity. "Does she not realize that I saved her? I could have taken her life, but I brought her here for safekeeping."

I looked at the cold iron door. "Nikolai, you do know this isn't the most comfortable room for a prisoner. It doesn't irradiate ease." I pointed towards the prison room she was in.

"You suggest I give her a room in the quarters? She'll escape." His hands were about to twist open the handle, but I stopped him short of being mauled by her capabilities. It was evident Nikolai had feelings for her. He didn't dare fight back with her, allowing her to strike him with each blow. He stood there helpless, letting her release her anger out on him.

"Let me go talk to her. At least she hasn't attacked any of us. Consider taking her out of this prison cell, and she may consider talking." I was also intent on knowing why Ashling was her target.

"Fine. But she stays down the hall from me so I can keep watch on her."

"Alright." I took in a deep breath. He seemed to agree with me, desperate for any course of action that would release the tension from the red hair prisoner.

The door was substantially heavy. A normal human wouldn't have been able to open it with ease, but with my growing strength, I was able to swing it open without effort. I carried a plate of food with me and placed it on the table. The sound I made didn't trigger her to flinch at all.

She sat in the corner of the room. She buried her head and rested it on her bended knees. Her arms were utilized as her pillow. I could hear the shallow breathing, but I knew she wasn't asleep. The last time I was in here, she ignored me, rightfully so. Who would want to be a prisoner?

I pushed the plate of food closer to her and placed the cup of water beside her. "You need to drink. It's been almost two days. You'll dehydrate and possibly die without food or water." She didn't respond.

"He doesn't want to keep you prisoner. Nikolai. He's actually concerned for you and wants you to eat." I paused for a moment.

"I don't believe you." She spoke. Quietly, but she finally spoke. She then reached for the water and gulped it down as if water was her only desire. She almost choked as she inhaled the water. She dropped the empty cup and placed her hand on the warm bread. Her fingers wrapped around it and held it captive. She brought it closer to her face and inhaled the sweet aroma. Her eyes closed and she bit down on her lips.

I was intrigued by her interaction with the bread, as if she had not eaten anything of sort in her life. "Are you going to eat it or sit there and mesmerize its aroma?"

She opened her eyes and gave me an ominous glare. "When will I be released?"

I stood up and crossed my arms across my chest. She was stubborn, I could tell. "Tell me why you targeted Ashling, and I may consider releasing you."

She scoffed at me. "I know you have no authority about my release, so let us not pretend you do." She finally bit into the bread, and I could tell she had a sense of relief from hunger.

"That may be true, but I have a huge influence on your residency here."

I reached my hand down to her. "My name is Ephraim." I needed her to trust me. "I don't actually reside here. I live in Washington State actually."

She stared at my hand not knowing how to respond, but she brought her tiny hands forward and placed them in my palm. "Hongfa."

"Chinese derivative?"

"It means red hair . . . though I feel it's a curse at the moment." Her mood changed drastically.

"Why do you say that?"

She looked up at the light peeking through the window. Her hand reached out to it as the sun ray bounced onto her skin. "I need to leave here, Ephraim."

"Tell me why you were after Ashling first, and I promise I will get you out of here." I meant it too. I felt sorry for her. She was tormented by something.

"I am running out of time." Her voice was beginning to shake as she walked away from me.

"Out of time?"

"They're going to kill him." Her eyes swelled up with water. If I was reading her right, then she was being forced.

"What can I do to help?" I don't know how or if this was even the right answer, but I had to unfold what she was hiding.

She looked at me with disbelief. "I am not who you all think I am."

"Then tell me who you are and what you're doing here." I stepped closer to her. She was petite, but I knew there was a lot of strength in her.

"I am here only for him."

"Who is he?"

She paused. She was unsure in trusting me, but she had opened up already and then she whispered a name. "Long."

"Who is Long?"

"It does not matter. What matters is I need to leave here, or else he is in danger." Her eyes were telling the truth. Whoever Long was, he meant a lot to her.

"Then why go after Ashling?"

With a stern voice, she released what I had suspected, "Kill Ashling and Long is set free."

I didn't hesitate. The door was easily broken and fell to the floor. Nikolai was on the other side and startled at my temper. We both looked down at the door, but then Nikolai noticed I was holding onto Hongfa's hand. He seemed irritated, but I wasn't his biggest obstacle between him and Hongfa at this moment.

"Where do you think you are going with my prisoner?" I don't think I've ever heard Nikolai so pissed.

"Her name is Hongfa, and she's not going to be your prisoner anymore." We walked pass him and headed up the stairs into the hallway. Nikolai whispered her name as if he didn't want to forget it. He followed us and cut in front of me. I forgot his speed was faster than mine at this moment.

"Talk to me, Ephraim. I deserve an explanation."

I took in a deep breath and tried not to roll my eyes. "First of all, she needs to be cleaned so let me take her to her room so she can freshen up. Second, we're going to help her."

"Help her? She tried to kill Ashling, or did you forget that she tried to kill your woman?"

We were both heated and face to face. "Of course I have not forgotten!" I raised my voice at him. Everything and anything about Ashling concerned me, and I would do anything to protect her.

"Listen, Nikolai. Hongfa is not who we think she is, and she had no choice but to come after Ashling. However, if we help her, then Ashling will be safe."

"And how are we going to help her?"

"We're going to save Long." I didn't know how we were going to save Long, but I knew he meant a lot to Hongfa. So much so that she was desperate enough to want to kill Ashling.

"Who is Long?"

"Her love."

Nikolai almost seemed disappointed. His silence and slower steps were telling of his feelings. I knew Nikolai had taken a liking to Hongfa, but that was his own doing. He had known nothing about her before investing his own feelings for her. I didn't want it to dissuade him from aiding though; but even so, I would do what I need to do to protect Ashling.

"How are we supposed to help?"

We reached the end of the hall where her room would be. I suddenly heard someone else's footsteps coming towards us. Ashling.

"Helping who? And why is she here . . . holding your hand?" Ashling stared straight at Hongfa.

I knew there was so much going on at the moment, so I tried my best to be as quick as possible with the situation. "It's not what you think, Ashling. Her name is Hongfa. She was given no choice but to kill you in return for Long's safety."

"Who's Long?" Her curiosity was spiking at each word I was saying.

"Evidently, her lover." There was so much sarcasm in Nikolai's voice though it sounded to be full of despair.

I released my hand from Hongfa's and walked over to Ashling. I grabbed her cold hands and placed them in mine. "We need to help her. She's in danger, and Long needs to be rescued. It's complicated, but it's how I'll only be able to save you and also her."

"Why does she matter?" Ashling wasn't buying into the plan.

"Because we have a common enemy." I didn't think we would be this close to what I felt like was a lifetime of training. "Ivan is holding Long captive."

"Ivan?" Ashling's voice changed. The name had haunted her.

"Ivan as in Luca's father?" Nikolai couldn't believe it either.

A/N: Thank you for your patience! School and work has kept me busy. I am enjoying this small break, so I can dive back into Ephraim and Ashling. Please continue to read as I post. I am forever grateful for all your comments and reads. It's what keeps me motivated.

-kl