“Aye, but I’ll nae let ye become a martyr for yer silly cause. Yer sister would never speak to me again. I promised her I’d keep ye safe, and that’s what I will do. Now, go with Marcus to the council chambers. Ye’ll get as many people out through the tunnels as ye can. But I’ll nae leave Amber. I cannae.”
“Nay one is askin’ ye to, lad,” Marcus said, placing a hand on Theo’s shoulder. “I’ll take her to the council chambers.”
“Take the passage in the kitchen behind the sacks of flour. And see that ye make the loop to the chambers. Get people out. Keep our clan safe,” Theo instructed, his arms itching to hold Lavina again.
Deep down, he could feel the tug of the grave on his heels.
He let out a heavy sigh as he watched Marcus pull Maisie to the back of the stables.
If there was anyone who knew the keep like the back of his hand, it was Marcus. He was far more skilled with a blade than Stephen, but twice his age. All Theo could do was send up a prayer as he slipped out of the stables and headed back to the keep.
Where are ye, ye wee devil? I ken ye’re around here somewhere. If I were ye, where would I go to hide?
Theo arched an eyebrow as he scanned the dark windows until his gaze fell on the shifting shadows in his study. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
Amber.
It was her; he was certain of it.
Without hesitation, he made a beeline for his study window. He froze between shadows and smoke as Micah’s men continued their advance.
There was no doubt the keep would fall. Far too many people were going up against them. But Theo could save Lavina and Amber, and Maisie. He could save his family, and that was what mattered most.
“She’s in here. I saw the little brat come in here,” he heard the muffled voice through the window.
He peered over the sill. A wave of gratitude washed over him. He’d have to bless whoever kept the fire going. It was in the rusty orange light that he managed to spot Amber hiding under his desk.
She was trapped. Two beasts of men were coming around the desk, leaving her no room for escape.
Theo had to act fast. He jumped up and slammed his fist into the window. The sound of shattering glass sliced through the tension.
“Amber, run. Now,” he boomed.
Amber didn’t hesitate. She bolted from her hiding place, undeterred by the men closing in on her. Theo opened his arms as she launched herself at him.
The catch was sure.
Her little arms wound around his corded neck. “I kenned ye’d come. I kenned it.”
“Ye had me worried sick,” Theo said as the men took one look at him and bolted from the study.
“They took Maisie.”
“Maisie’s fine; I found her in the stables. She’ll meet us at the council chambers.”
“The keep,” Amber whimpered.
Theo carried her back through the stone walls. “It’s just a stone structure. We can rebuild it, but I cannae rebuild ye,” he murmured. “Right now, we have lives to save. Can ye help?”
Amber pressed her lips together as she squeezed him tightly. “Aye. I’ll do what I can.”
“That’s a good lass,” Theo praised. “Now, let’s get some people out of this mess, shall we?”
He hurried around the keep, clinging to the stone walls. Every sound echoed in his ears and made his chest tighten. There was no telling for certain if Lavina fled or if she’d be there, waiting. He wanted her to be waiting at the opening to the tunnels, but it was just a hope.
Pushing through the side door to the kitchen, Theo expected resistance. It was a relief and a surprise to find the room empty. It was a stark reminder of just how dire the situation had become.
“Over here,” he said, slipping between the shelves.
