“Come on,” she murmured to Sophie, wrapping the girl’s arm around her shoulders.“We’re getting you out of here.”
Sienna trembled under Sophie’s weight, realizing she couldn’t manage the distance alone.Sophie’s father took over without hesitation, lifting his daughter effortlessly.
As they stumbled toward the servants’ stairs, Sienna kicked over a table.The glass vase perched on it wobbled precariously.She reached out to catch it, but it crashed to the wooden floor, the sound echoing down the hallway.It was a clumsy move, but one that drew the remaining guards toward her, diverting them from reinforcing the outside.
Immediately, heavy footsteps pounded up the front stairs.“Contact!Second floor!”someone shouted.
Sienna turned back and wedged a chair under the doorknob.When guards came looking, they’d waste precious seconds getting through.
Another shot sounded outside, rapidly followed by a second.A high-pitched feline yowl of pain had Sienna jolting.A man screamed seconds later, and Sienna winced.It didn’t sound as if their rescue mission was going well.
Jago growled, an order for her to get her head in the game, just as a radio blasted to life again.
“Where’s Jameson?”a man demanded.
Sienna grabbed a coat at the bottom of the stairs, enough to cover Sophie until she could find her own clothes.
She handed it over as they burst outside.The servants’ entrance opened onto a narrow alley leading away from the main garden and past a walled vegetable plot—precisely what they needed.
“Take Sophie and get out.If you come across any of our group, take them with you.Don’t go home—head to our cottage.I think you’ll be safer there than in your house.”
“Thank you,” Sophie’s father said.“Really, thank you.If you need anything, please ask.”
“No thanks necessary.I’ll see you later.”Sienna flinched as another burst of gunfire erupted.
Outside, a deep voice issued crisp orders, every syllable radiating authority.
“Quick, exit through the rear gate.Apart from Jago and me, everyone in the house should regroup at our meeting point.”She paused.“Or better yet, leave town entirely.Spend time with out-of-town relatives.This will have repercussions.”
“Aye,” Sophie’s father said.“Thank you again.”He squeezed Sienna’s shoulder and hurried away, clasping his daughter’s hand as if he’d never let go.
She watched them leave before turning to a silent Jago.
“Any plan?”
He shook his head, then grinned, revealing sharp teeth.
“Let’s hit them from behind.Let out a victory roar to signal success.Then we fall back and split up—make it harder for them to chase everyone.”
Jago nudged her knee and slipped past the garden.
“Guess my strategy meets with approval.”
She zipped her jacket and followed.Mist had fallen, shrouding the surroundings in murk and limiting visibility.
They listened as the battle continued near the house.Jago released a roar.Moments later, a man cursed—no feline growls this time.
“Where have they gone?Damn it!Don’t let them get away!”The boss shouted orders.
Sienna hesitated, but Jago nudged her firmly, big-brother bossiness demanding she follow their game plan.They had to get back to the cottage, take stock, and decide their next move.Using her feline senses, Sienna navigated the fog with Jago keeping pace.
“Search the grounds!”the boss shouted.
A man ran toward them.Sienna and Jago froze, pressing against the trunk of an old oak with low-hanging branches.
Voices drifted through the fog—organized, methodical.
“Thermal shows movement northwest section.”
