Page 68 of Ravenrose

“Yes, sir. And the barns and the inn too.”

Ayer nods again, looking contemplative before giving his next order. “Check the tree line, and send Kent over.”

Hayes nods sharply, then disappears back through the village. A few minutes later, an older man appears.

“This woman’s baby is ill,” Ayer explains. “Could you have a look at her?”

He introduces Kent to the woman as their medic, and while still wary, she gives Ayer a grateful nod before nearly thrusting baby Josi into Kent’s arms.

Kent asks the woman—Nadia, we learn—several questions. Her nervous fearfulness quickly segues into desperate hope; her voice shakes with every answer she gives.

I hang back, on my best behavior, watching the exchange silently. My eyes are on baby Josi. Wyatt lingers nearby. His stance is far more relaxed now that the perceived threat is under control.

But human or not, I’m still nervous for the little family. I don’t trust for one second that Ayer—or his men—won’t harm them.

After several minutes, Kent completes his examination, but the grim expression on his face tells me everything I need to know. “I believe you’re already aware… it’s red fever.” He pauses, taking note of the mother’s trembling bottom lip before shaking his head. “I’m afraid there isn’t anything I can do.” He pauses again and takes a deep breath before leveling a look of pity upon the young mother. “There isn’t much time left.”

The woman releases a choked sob, tears spilling freely as she takes Josi back into her trembling arms, hugging her tightly.

Her little boy looks up at the sound of his mother’s cries, before starting to cry again himself, his eyes flicking fearfully between the soldiers.

Ayer speaks up, his voice soft. “I’ll arrange for a couple of my men to escort you back to our camp. You’ll be in safe hands. No harm will come to you; you have my word.”

I don’t believe him.

He turns to discuss something privately with Hayes. Wyatt inches over to join them, but their voices are too low for me to hear.

I glance around, finding myself suddenly unescorted with no one watching me.

Alone.

Chapter 32

ROWAN

Keeping an eye on the conferring soldiers, I take a single tentative step toward the little family.

No one looks up.

No one stops me.

So I take another. And one more after that.

The young mother, Nadia, is quietly crying, sitting atop the stone wall just outside their home—both of her children in her arms. Her grip on them is tight, as if she alone can stop anything bad from happening to them.

My heart constricts at the sight.

One silent step after another and I’m nearly within arm’s reach of them.

The voices behind me cut off.

Damn it!

And suddenly Ayer is there, right in front of me, blocking my view of the family. His face in mine, dark eyes promising violence—he’s furious. More furious than I’ve ever seen him.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

Behind him, the sobbing stops as the entirety of the street goes silent. I can feel everyone’s eyes on me.