Page 164 of Ravenrose

I open my mouth to argue, but Ayer suddenly pivots as the battle spills out across the training yard. He blocks an incoming blow with his sword.

“GET HER OUT OF HERE!” he roars.

Wyatt grabs me again before I can fight him off, practically hauling me toward the stairs.

“Let me go,” I hiss. I like Wyatt. I don’t want to hurt him, but I’m not about to let Ayer toss me on the sidelines after everything we’ve been through. I won’t wait up in a tower like some weak princess who can’t protect herself.

“Rowan,” Wyatt huffs. “You don’t even have a weapon…” he hedges, and the reminder gives me pause. He has a point…

My bow. My arrows. My blades.

They’re all upstairs.

In Ayer’s room.

Wyatt heaves in relief when I finally stop resisting and follow him willingly into the barracks. I’m not going because Ayer ordered it, but because I need weapons if I’m going to shove his stupid captain’s ego down his throat.

Wyatt and I race through the fort while the sounds of clanging metal, shouts, and screams echo from below.

We reach Ayer’s room just in time to hear a clatter ring out at the bottom of the stairwell below. Raiders have breached the barracks.

Nearly breathless, Wyatt shoves me into Ayer’s room.

“Stay here. For the love of the gods, stay here.” His blue eyes plead with me before he slams the door shut.

Sorry, but no.

I’m already racing across the room, grabbing my quiver and slinging it across my back. My bow follows it a second later.

An old sword of Ayer’s rests on the mantle, dusty from disuse. I snatch that too, though the weight of it is a shock. Taking one last glance about the room, I do a cursory check of my leathers before stalking for the door.

I’ve already done the math.

There were so many raiders.

Too many raiders.

Not enough soldiers.

Even with Ayer and Theo’s skills…

No. They need help.

I wrench open the door, bringing me face to face with one of the fae, his sword dripping with fresh blood.

My heart is in my throat. Wyatt?

I don’t see him anywhere.

The raider starts toward me. I barely get Ayer’s sword up to block the first strike. The impact of his blade on mine rattles through my arms. It’s too heavy for me.

He attacks again, his grin widening as he pushes me further down the hallway. It’s too narrow to maneuver properly, and Ayer’s blade is too heavy anyway. Every hit drives me back until my spine hits the wall.

The raider strikes again, this time hitting hard enough to knock my sword from my hands.

My eyes widen as they lift to his.

Think, Rowan. Think.