A black blur launched itself from a nearby cart.
Nyx hit the warrior’s face with all four paws extended, claws out, yowling like a demon from hell. The man screamed, dropping both his dirk and Skye as he tried to tear the furious cat away from his eyes.
Hamish didn’t hesitate. His sword flashed once, and the warrior fell.
“Skye!” Ailis rushed forward, scooping up the child as Nyx leaped away. “Are ye hurt?”
“Nay, Aunt Ailis. Nyx saved me!” Skye clutched at her aunt, but her eyes were scanning the battlefield. “Where’s Da?”
“Fightin',” Kristen said, arriving to help usher them toward safety. “Come, we need to get ye inside.”
But Skye struggled against them. “Nay! I cannae leave Da! I cannae?—”
“The lassie stays with me.”
Rufus appeared, looking far older than his fourteen years. He held a sword that was slightly too big for him, and his face was pale but determined. Nyx immediately ran to him, climbing up to perch on his shoulder like she belonged there.
“Rufus, nay,” Leona started, finally finding her voice. “Ye’re too young.”
“I’m old enough to protect me sister,” Rufus said firmly. “And Skye. Get them inside, both of ye. I’ll stand guard at the door.”
The two sisters exchanged glances, then nodded. Together, they half-carried, half-dragged Leona and Skye toward the keep. Rufus followed, his sword raised, Nyx hissing at anyone who came too close.
At the doorway, Leona wrenched herself free. “I cannae. I have to?—”
“Ye have to stay alive,” Ailis said fiercely. “That’s what ye have to do. Murdock is fightin' for ye. Daenae make his sacrifice meaningless.”
“She’s right,” Kristen added. “Let him do what he does best.”
Leona looked back at the battle, her eyes finding Murdock immediately. He was still fighting, still moving through Ragnall’s men like a force of nature. But there was something different now, something desperate in the way he fought.
He was looking for something.
No.Someone.
Ragnall.
Her cousin had managed to get to his feet, one of his men supporting him. They were trying to retreat toward the gates, but Murdock had seen them. Was cutting his way through the remaining warriors, his focus absolute.
Murdock’s world had narrowed to a single point of focus.
Ragnall.
The bastard who’d threatened his daughter. Who’d tried to take Leona. Who’d brought violence and death to Ainsley lands and thought he could walk away.
Not today.
Not ever.
“Kerr!” Murdock’s voice cut through the chaos like a blade. “Face me, ye coward!”
Ragnall turned, his face pale with blood loss but his eyes burning with hatred. “Ye cut off me hand!”
“I should have taken yer head.” Murdock advanced slowly, deliberately.
Around them, the fighting had begun to slow. Warriors on both sides were stopping, stepping back, watching their Lairds.
“Ye’ll pay for this,” Ragnall spat. “I’ll?—”
