Courage Runs Red Read online

  I wanted to disappear. Could his disgust be any more obvious? “I went running in the cemetery. I didn’t know he’s your brother. We just met one time…he helped me find my iPod.”

  Grace came over and waved her hand. “Michael’s, like, kind of abrupt. He’s lousy with socializing. What were you doing running in a cemetery at night?” She paused then held up a finger. “On second thought, don’t answer.”

  A burning between my shoulder blades reminded me I needed to relax. I took a deep breath. Screw it. Not worth the time. I’d be out of here after graduation so it wasn’t like I had to hang out with him or try to be friends. Nice try, Rouge. You still think he’s cute.

  “Don’t you dare change our plans for Saturday.” Grace must have thought my silence meant I didn’t want to be here. She picked out some clothes, led me out of the closet, then flipped the light off. “I’ll tell Michael to get lost for the night. He could do with getting a life.”

  “No. Don’t worry. I’m still coming.” I swallowed, glancing down the long hall as we headed for the stairs. “How old is Michael?”

  “Just slightly older and trust me, he never lets me forget. I hate to admit it sometimes, but he’s actually my real brother. Sarah and Caleb adopted both of us.”

  She took me through the living room, which had a huge flat screen TV and an awesome sound system. One of those wireless ones. The furniture looked antique and expensive, but very comfortable, like it was meant to be sat in. The beige and bright white accents of the room made the abstract artwork on the walls seem like they were painted right where they hung.

  A woman, as stunning as Grace, sat at a desk near the window. They could almost pass as sisters. Both had similar features -- the same perfectly tanned skin and beautiful ocean blue eyes. She also had the same extremely feminine physique, but more muscular. She probably did Yoga or Pilates ten times a day.

  She had to be Sarah, Grace’s adoptive mom. Sarah’s blonde hair skimmed her shoulders. She grinned and leaned against the desk, her chin fitting perfectly into her little hand. “Hello.”

  “Sarah, this is Rouge.”

  “Nice to meet you.” I was jealous of her perfect-sounding voice. Bold, sensual and like she feared nothing.

  Grace pointed to a burnt red colored door on the other side of the living room. “That’s Caleb’s office.”

  The room fell silent at the mention of his name. The butterflies in my tummy started dancing again. I’d never met the guy, so why should I be nervous about his office?

  “He’s out this evening.” Sarah stared at Grace. “A meeting out of town.”

  The butterflies settled a little, or maybe one managed to escape. I clenched my teeth together. Urrgghh…I hated being nervous.

  “Is it okay if we watch a movie in here? If you’ve got work to do…” Grace spoke oblivious to my inner battle.

  “Go ahead. I’m going to clean the kitchen then run some errands.” As she stood, a beautiful silver pendant caught my eye. I leaned slightly closer to see the detail but never got the chance. Sarah tucked it inside her blouse.

  We settled in to watch the movie. I didn’t remember half of it; my mind kept wandering back to the boy upstairs.

  When it finished we both stretched and headed to the hall. “I’d better get you home. Heaven forbid I get you in trouble.”

  I laughed. “You won’t. Jim and Sally aren’t much bothered when I come or go.” I sighed when I realized I didn’t have my key. “Shoot! I left my purse upstairs.” I pictured it where I’d dropped it in her closest on one of the shelves. “Just let me run up and grab it.”

  “I’m gonna grab a bottle of water. Want one too?” Grace turned back towards the living room and the kitchen beyond.

  “Sure.” I darted up the stairs two at a time, counting my steps. I sneaked a quick peek down the empty, door-closed hall.

  My purse lay right where I’d left it. Head down I checked for my keys as I ran out of Grace’s room. I glanced up in time to bump straight into someone’s chest. Michael’s. His hands reached for my elbows. I froze. He smelled so good – husky, masculine and something that made me want to close my eyes and inhale so deeply the scent saturated my lungs.

  It took all my willpower to step back. Why he didn’t move away first skittered across my mind.

  “Sorry,” I whispered. “Didn’t see you.”

  “It’s fine.” His voice came out husky.

  “Did you find it?” Grace called out from the bottom of the stairs.

  Michael flinched and dropped his hands. He stepped aside to let me by. “Sorry.”

  For bumping into me? Or for earlier? I had no idea.

  “Good night, Rouge,” he spoke quietly. The way he said my name, I would have done anything he wanted. No one had ever put that much meaning into one little word.

  END OF EXCERPT

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  Book Blurb:

  Like most teenagers, Rouge is trying to figure out who she is and what she wants to be. With little knowledge about her past, she has questions but has never tried to find the answers. Everything changes when she befriends a strangely intoxicating family. Siblings Grace and Michael, appear to have secrets which seem connected to Rouge. Her hunch is confirmed when a horrible incident occurs at an outdoor party. Rouge may be the only one who can find the answer.

  An ancient journal, a Sioghra necklace and a special mark force life-altering decisions for a girl who grew up unprepared to fight for her life or others.

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  How hard do you have to shake the family tree to find the truth about the past?

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  As Rae struggles with new friends, a new school and a star-struck forbidden love, she must also face the ultimate challenge: receive a tattoo on her sixteenth birthday with specific powers that may bind her to an unspeakable darkness. It's up to Rae to undo the dark evil in her family's past and have a ray of hope for her future.

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