The windows on the main floor were too narrow for a body, but that blockade wouldn’t impede them for long. Especially with the whole house aflame.
For a moment, I thought of Mother. How she’d died, trapped. Someone tearing their way inside.
Fear clutched my chest, and I nearly missed the last stair.
Aiden grabbed my arm, his sword in his other hand. “Get them out and hide in the woods. Grab what gear you can, butdon’t let anything slow you down. We’ll hold them off until you’re clear.”
“But—”
He pressed his forehead to mine. “I’ll meet you in the woods. I swear it.”
Eyes burning, I crushed my lips against his, sealing that promise between us. Then I tore after Helene and Isabel without looking back.
Flames licked into the hallway, and we had to jump over burning bits of rug.
If Aiden and the others didn’t follow soon, they wouldn’t be able to.
We hurtled into the kitchen. The door burst open, and a Shadow-Wolf lunged inside with a sunstone sword. How had he made it past the Dags?
Helene shrieked and curled her body around Isabel’s.
The Wolf’s attention jerked from me to Helene. He darted toward her, sword raised.
“No!” I dropped Captain’s box and charged into the Wolf with all my strength, gripping a knife. As we crashed into the hearth, I stabbed his sword hand.
He grunted and threw me off, still holding his gods-damned sword. I crashed onto the stone floor, gasping for air.
“Pax, attack!” someone shouted.
A streak of gray fur and gleaming teeth barreled into the Wolf. Isabel screamed as the two tousled, growls filling the air.
Pax locked his jaws around the Wolf’s fist. The Wolf reached for a knife in his boot.
I flipped over and sank my blade into his neck. Just below his mask. He immediately went limp.
Pax backed away, still growling, and stood protectively in front of Helene and Isabel.
Aiden burst into the kitchen and heaved me to my feet, his expression furious. “There will be more. Go!”
Ruru helped me herd a sobbing Helene and Isabel, who snatched up her lizard’s box. Nikella paced in front of the back door with her spear.
“Go with them, Caddik,” Aiden ordered, guarding the burning hallway.
The old man shook his head stubbornly. “I’m dying where my wife died, whether that’s tonight or in twenty years.”
“Caddik! Please!” Helene called as I tried to shove her down the cellar stairs.
His face softened, but his eyes were resolute. He glanced at me lingering on the threshold. “Take Pax with you. Isabel knows his commands.” He murmured something to the dog, who trotted past me to Isabel.
The girl clutched his fur, tears still streaming down her cheeks.
Another Wolf crashed into the kitchen. Nikella raised her spear just as Caddik slammed the door shut between us.
Fear bled out of every pore, but I pushed Helene and Isabel toward the secret cellar. Ruru had already heaved the shelf aside and opened it.
We hurried inside. I skipped the bedrolls and mostly empty saddlebags. Instead, I gathered up the extra weapons, strapping my sword to my waist and slinging bows and arrow pouches across my back. Ruru did the same. I also tucked the two long sunstone knives Aiden and Maz had worn into my belt.
One never knew when those would come in handy.
