Page 40 of Highland Vows of Betrayal

“Scarlett!” Noah called.

“Aye?”

Suddenly he saw a bow and arrow. They were so well camouflaged that they could be part of the trees.

“Get underwater!” Noah bellowed, racing to the loch as the arrow was released.

Scarlett heard him and obeyed, diving into the water.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

“Scarlett!” Noah called out, unable to see her. Grabbing one of the knives he carried in his belt, he turned to face the trees and released it at top speed. With perfect aim, it landed in the tree where the archer had stood mere seconds before. The miscreant darted away through the trees.

“For the wee man’s sake,” he cursed, angered to have missed him. “Scarlett?” Noah called once again, striding into the shallows, fully clothed.

Her head bobbed above the surface as she turned her head back and forth. “Who was that?”

“I—” he broke off, hearing the noise again. “Get down now!” This time he saw more than one person—at least three, maybe more. There were numerous shadows, some raising bows and arrows, others merely pointing to the loch. They all looked at Scarlett.

Are they hunting her?

Noah grabbed the last knife in his belt. His crossbow was with the horse, but if he raced there now, Scarlett would be alone, prey to the predators surrounding them.

As she dived beneath the water again, Noah saw his chance. Above the shadows raising bows and arrows, there was a tree branch precariously attached that had to have been damaged in a storm. Noah threw the dagger at it. A dull thud sounded, followed by a snap of wood.

“Get back! Out of the way!” the attackers shouted to one another, their shadows scattering as they dived out of the way of the falling branch.

“Scarlett!” Noah called as one of the arrows drove into the river. She surfaced but a yard away from it. Her eyes were shocked as she stared at the ripples around the spot where the arrow hit so close to her.

“How many?” Her voice was strong, despite the fear on her face.

“Five, maybe more.” Noah waded toward her, hardly caring how wet he was. His eyes were no longer on her but on the trees. He was no fool; he knew the men were here for a kill. They would not give up easily.

To his left, he saw two shadow attackers stand atop a small mound, pulling back crossbows. To his right, a third man peered around a tree trunk. His face was covered with a black cloak tipped only when he aimed his bow and arrow.

“Noah? What…?” Scarlett didn’t finish. The sound splashing told Noah she was trying to swim away.

We dinnae have time for that!

Noah turned and dove for her. Her scream was muffled as they fell underwater together. The loch's blue murkiness engulfed him. He wrapped his arm around Scarlett's waist and pulled her beneath him, keeping her safe. He could only think about the arrow that had just flown past their faces. It was so fast that it could have been an eel passing by.

As a second arrow approached, Noah felt Scarlett grab his shoulders once more. They took a quick breath, then she drew him down toward the riverbed, wrapping her arms around him. He heard the arrow shoot past the back of his head but didn't see it.

When the arrows came to a halt, they remained suspended in the water. Noah's arm tightened around her waist, his eyes darting over her to check for any injuries. Fortunately, she was not hurt. She tightened her grip on his waistcoat.

Noah started drawing her above the water. There was enough time between arrows for them to attempt an escape. He noticed she clung to his shoulders as they burst above the surface, both taking deep breaths.

“Who are they?” she spluttered. “Where are they?”

“There!” Noah pointed to the edge of the loch. Their attackers had split into two groups now. Three men were in the trees, shooting from afar with crossbows. Two advanced to the water’s edge. One bore a bow and arrow, the other a thick broadsword Noah had often seen in battle.

Soldiers? Nae. More like mercenaries.

“Aye, time tae go.” Noah used his hold on Scarlett’s waist to push her toward the edge of the river. “Go, Scarlett. Go!” She scampered out ahead of him, fully unclothed, reaching for her garments.

Noah turned to face the men advancing through the shallows. He reached for a rock in the riverbed, looking for any kind of makeshift weapon. He found a round flint shaft that was coarse and sharp on one side. He held it behind his back and waited for the man with the broadsword to approach.

The man lashed out, attempting to cut Noah with his sword, but Noah easily avoided it. He'd spent years training to avoid such blows. Broadswords were powerful weapons, but they were heavy and made the fighter move and react slowly. Noah took advantage of it. As the attacker swiped at him again, he retaliated with the flint rock, striking the man's brow and drawing a thick bead of blood from his temple.