“I’m fine.”
She reached behind her to try to grab the arrow shaft but couldn’t. She gave her sister a pointed look. Evie shook her head.
“No way!”
“You have to.”
“But the arrow—”
“I know. I’ll deal with that later. Yank it out.”
Chloe was aware of the dangers. Removing the arrow improperly could lead to infection or—worse—her death. But she couldn’t run around with an arrow sticking out of her shoulder, either.
Taking a deep breath, Evie reached for the shaft, wrapped her hand around it, and then jerked. The shaft released from her shoulder with a damp, sucking noise. Chloe clenched her jaw and grunted, proud of herself for not crying out like she wanted. Evie made a gagging sound.
“It’s out. But you’re bleeding. You need stitches.”
“We can deal with that later. Right now we have to get out of here.”
“Chlo—”
There wasn’t time for bandages or finding healers or any of that. Smoke from the keep billowed upward into the night sky as more of the building caught fire. But Evie was determined. She ripped another piece of her shift, folded it, and pressed it against the wound.
“Let’s go,” Chloe said. She reached behind her, grabbing the cloth and pressing it against the wound in the most awkward position ever.
“What about Jamie?” Evie glanced back at the building behind her, worry creasing her face. “We can’t leave him.”
“We don’t have time to go back for him. I have to believe he’ll be fine.”
She started for the open gate, pushing her tired legs to the limit. She had to admit, though, the pain in her shoulder was unbearable. Evie fell in step beside her. They were nearing the gate when the portcullis started to close.
“Hurry!”
Chloe broke into a run for the gate, trying to get to it before it was closed. Evie was right behind her, panting heavily and trying to keep up with her.
But it was no use. The gate closed as they arrived.
They were trapped.
Her breath seesawing in and out of her, Evie said, “Now what?”
“Where do ye think yer going, lassies?”
The voice boomed across the bailey behind them. They turned to see the man—their enemy—walking toward them with his great axe in his hand.
And Rory MacDonald looked irate.
CHAPTER 30
Malcolm followed Callum up the steep incline. Darkness pressed all around them. An earthy pungent scent permeated his nose. All he worried about was if Chloe was safe and if MacDonald had harmed her. If he had, then he would havehimto deal with.
Ahead, there was a glimmer of pale light, indicating they were getting closer to the postern gate.
When they arrived, Callum peered through the gate.
Sniffing, he said, “Do ye smell that?”
Malcolm inhaled. There was the acrid odor of smoke on the air. “Smoke?”
