His thoughts jumbled together, and the compliment lodged in his throat the more he looked at her. Nothing seemed to do justice to how she looked.

  He wanted to tell her she looked like one of the marble statues of the goddesses he’d seen once. Flawless but untouchable.

  Carl’s approach was as untimely as it was unwanted, his cocky smile easy. “You look incredible. Here, I saved you a seat.”

  Hadley sent him a desperate look as Carl took her arm and steered her away towards the tables at the back of the hall.

  His body still flooded with heat, Kade ran a hand through his hair and found himself following, his scowl not lessening in the slightest as he took a seat beside Ma Hamlin.

  As Cester began the party officially the way he did each year, by thanking them for their service and welcoming them to his home, Kade’s attention was pulled in three different directions as he tried to keep an eye on Carl and Meg and still listen to his captain’s end of season speech.

  His stomach tightened, and his fists unconsciously curled at his sides as Carl leaned closer to Hadley. He almost wished the bandits would show up before the music started. His eyes narrowed. His scowl deepened as Carl sent him a smug smile. It’s going to be a long night.

  Hadley’s heart thumped too loudly as she slipped out the door before Todd began playing the piano again. At least her cheeks weren’t still burning from her ridiculous declaration to Kade. I must be tipsy. That’s the only explanation.

  Her stomach tied in knots at the only excuse she could think of to use to leave the party. Even the relentless Carl wouldn’t follow her to the privy chamber.

  He’d not left her side in the hour since the party began, trying to get her to drink some of the punch she was sure he’d laced with the flask of alcohol he carried in his blazer pocket.

  All she wanted was a moment alone, a moment to think and a moment to breathe without having to ward off unwanted advances.

  What right did he have to harass her so? She’d done nothing to invite his constant attention, and she wasn’t interested in the slightest.

  It was all she could do to politely decline his attempts, even if she hadn’t been playing a role, she knew she would never do anything to cause a scene amongst Cester’s relatives.

  Ma Hamlin was fussing over not just her but all the Stormers, plying them with drink and more food than she’d seen in her life. The few hours would have been entirely pleasant had it not been for Carl following her around under the pretence of guarding her.

  Any time a Stormer had approached to ask her to dance, he’d either glared at them until they left or told them she wasn’t interested in dancing, which meant she’d not danced once, despite the desire to.

  As she walked along the hallway the sounds of laughter and piano music coming from the hallway doing little to lift her mood. She consoled herself that she shouldn’t be complaining, as soon as the evening was over the morning would come, and she’d be able to leave here and search for Thomas. Assuming the bandits are dealt with.

  Hadley released a sigh and carried on past the privy, walking aimlessly, breaking the unspoken rule not to venture out on her own.

  Not that she would be so foolish, dressed as she was. Wearing the lightweight slippers Meg had found, she could hardly leave the main building.

  “Everything alright?”

  Hadley whirled at the voice and her hand flew to her chest at the sight of Kade. His brow knotted as he stared at her. “Saw you step out; wanted to check on you.”

  “I’m fine. I just needed a moment.”

  Kade tugged at his shirt collar so hard, the top button popped off and landed on the floor. He muttered under his breath and bent to pick up the stray button, his jacket taut across his back as he bent, the slightest tearing sound, causing him to jerk upright.

  He cursed under his breath and turned so his back was facing her. “How bad is it?”

  Hadley frowned at the burst seam and ran her finger down the ripped fabric. “Not too bad, I can probably sew it if you like?”

  Kade turned to look at her, his face creased into a frown. “Could you?”

  Hadley nodded and started walking back to the room she’d been given. “Meg left a sewing kit for me. I’m not the best at sewing, but I can fix it quickly and no one will know.”

  Kade fell into step with her, and she took a moment to look him over. “Why do you need formal uniforms?”

  “That’s what I kept asking Cester. Apparently, it’s a custom from years ago. Each section of the Stormers has a different uniform; before the famine, they used to all get together once a year, and the king would throw them a celebration.”

  They walked silently until she reached the end of the hall, her bedroom door within sight. She turned and found Kade gazing at her without his signature scowl.

  Hadley held her breath, her eyes locked on his, silence stretching too long as tension filled the space between them.

  His dark eyes held her captive, his tanned cheeks carrying the slightest hint of pink. His jaw twitched, but still he didn’t move. Is he waiting for an invitation to come inside my room?

  Her pulse thrummed in her veins. No boy had ever waited before. Not even for a moment. Especially not when a perfect moment presented itself as one was doing right now. Do I want to invite him inside?

  The sound of a door closing and Carl’s voice broke the moment and caused the scowl to return to Kade’s face.

  His words held a bite as shrugged out of his blazer and handed it to her. “We should get back before we’re missed. I’ll wait outside. Don’t want to give people the wrong idea about us.”

  Hadley’s smile was weak as her shaking fingers found the doorknob, her voice tight as she avoided looking at him directly. “No. That’s the last thing we want.”

  His jacket freshly sewed with double stitches that were a little messy and crooked but would do the job, Kade escorted Hadley back to the hall and focused all his energy on avoiding the tightness in his chest that grew each time he looked at her.

  Their absence hadn’t been overly long, and Cester trusted him to take care of Hadley. But it was trust he’d been sorely tempted to break when he almost wavered outside Hadley’s bedroom.

  For just a moment, he’d wanted to tell her just how beautiful she really did look. But he couldn’t for a multitude of reasons. Nothing would be served by admitting such a thing. It was pointless when all she wanted from him was a way to find her brother.

  Tension still curled in his stomach when he found Carl waiting outside the doors, his arms folded over his chest as he stared daggers in Kade’s direction. “Where’d you two sneak off to?”

  Hadley’s brow knotted. “I was sewing up his jacket.”

  Carl smirked at him, before nodding at Hadley. “You ready for that dance now?”

  Hadley stiffened slightly. “Oh, well, I’m going to dance with Kade first.”

  His surprise was tempered by the faint sound of a dog’s bark that caused both he and Carl to freeze.

  His heart beginning to thud harder at the possibility of intruders, he steered Hadley back inside, catching Cester’s eye as he led her towards Meg. “Stay here, I’ll be back soon as I can.”

  Hadley looked across at him, her forehead creasing. “Be careful.”

  His chest grew tight at the genuine concern on her face. Not for you. You’re her protection remember? With the thought a painful reminder, he turned and made his way across the hall to where Cester was quietly speaking to Brute.

  Kade didn’t even need to speak a word, before Cester’s shoulders went rigid as he jerked a thumb at Brute to follow him out of the hall. “What is it?”

  “Dogs are going nuts.”

  Cester nodded sharply and turned to Brute. “Stormer Kincaid, you stay and watch the back, Stormer Carl watch the front, Stormer Kade with me.”

  Cester’s eyes narrowed. “Do not let anyone enter. No matter what, understood?”

  Carl nodded in response. Despite his whining, Kade didn’t doubt for a second he’d do his job. They all would.

  Brute turned on his heel, already taking off his restricting jacket, readying himself as he headed in the other direction to guard the rear.

  Kade and Carl followed Cester, checking the daggers they’d hidden at their waists were still easily accessible. “You think they’re stupid enough to try something?” Carl asked.

  Kade shrugged. “They’re desperate.”

  Cester turned slightly, talking over his shoulder as he walked. “Stay vigilant. If the Stormer you spotted is among them, he’ll have no qualms killing either of you. Brotherhood or not, he has no conscience to speak of.”

  His thoughts crowding on one another, Kade shrugged out of his jacket and followed Cester to where thick coats hung on pegs near the front door.

  They dressed in the coats and calfskin gloves that fitted snug to allow flexibility. With a final look at a tense Carl who stood ready to bolt the door, Cester opened the door to snow coming in thick and fast.

  The barking grew more intense as they closed the door behind them. Cester blocking his view slightly, they edged around the building, crouching low as they hurried towards the covering the bushes offered.

  His heart thudding against his ribs, Kade strained to hear over the dogs barking frantically.

  “They’ve got someone,” Cester shouted.

  Kade nodded. The intensity of the dogs barking left little doubt they’d cornered an intruder. Heart thudding, veins priming to fight, Kade followed as Cester crept towards the sound, snow cascading around them as they moved.

  Sure enough, a man was hard up against the fence line, ankle deep in snow, his eyes wide in the moonlight as Luna and two of the others snapped at him.

  Kade swept his gaze around the area, the falling snow making it that much harder. He supposed he should be grateful for the light of the moon, but it was small compensation for the snow storm swirling around them.

  Cester called off the dogs, and they reluctantly slunk away, coming to a stop at his feet. “Are you alone man? What’s your name?” Cester called.

  The man was shaking, but from cold or fright Kade couldn’t tell. A flash of panic lit as the man’s stuttering voice came. “Head guardsman Waters.”

  Cester’s eyes grew wide, and he whirled to face him. Kade didn’t hesitate, already backing away, searching for fresh tracks.

  If the bandits had dumped the last hostage, it could only mean one thing. They were using him as bait to lure them out, and it had worked.

  Hadley chewed on her lip as she once again slipped from the hall. Her feet carrying her towards the only exit. Not for any other reason than curiosity. Liar.

  The oil lanterns that had illuminated the hallway prior, had been blown out, leaving a silhouette just visible in the small window beside the sturdy door.

  Meg’s voice called her back just as she recognised Carl’s frame hanging by the front entrance, his eyes on the view outside. “Where are you going?”

  Hadley paused for a moment, indecision tugging at her. She shouldn’t be out here. She should be with the others who remained unaware that danger lurked outside. Meg had reassured them enough that Cester was just speaking to the older Stormers, so the rest carried on dancing, laughing and eating.

  Carl’s voice caused her to move towards him, rather than back to Meg. “The dogs have stopped.”

  Hadley rushed towards him, her dress restricting her stride as she skidded to a halt beside Carl. “Is that good?”

  Another question died on her lips at the smug look on his face. “Couldn’t stay away huh?”

  Hadley flushed under the intensity of his gaze, and how close she was to him, in the dark.

  Of course, he’d assume she wanted to see him. She was placing herself in a terrible situation running down here without a thought to how it appeared. She blew out a shuddering breath, a protest dying on her lips as Carl leaned in close enough to kiss her.

  She retreated, backing up so she was hard up against the wall behind. Horror flowing through her as she realised she’d placed herself in precisely the compromising position she’d worked so hard to avoid. All to see if Kade was alright.

  Carl cocked his head, his smile less sure. “You came to find me, remember?”

  Hadley shook her head. “I was worried.”

  The grin grew. “About me?”

  Hadley’s stomach knotted. “What happens if they get inside?”

  Carl shrugged and stepped closer, so close she could smell the musky fragrance he’d used. “They won’t.”

  Hadley eyed the door behind them. Her eyes flitting to the window. “What if they break the glass?”

  Carl half snorted as he laughed. “They have attack dogs out there, Kade and Cester have at least four knives between them, probably more knowing Kade, and if there is anyone outside, they’ll have to go through them before they get near this door.”

  Hadley’s throat closed over. “But….”

  Carl shook his head, a cocky smile playing at his lips. “They can’t get through the window. Anyway, I’ll keep you safe; don’t you worry.”

  Hadley exhaled slowly, easing along the wall, preparing to go back to Meg and the others.

  A thump outside the door and a dog yelping pulled all her attention from Carl. He moved away from her, blocking her view of the snowy night outside.

  Her panic returned with a vengeance when he cursed the gods as his hand reached for his closest knife.

  All amusement left him as he looked out the window, his voice like ice. “Go back to the hall. There’s going to be trouble.”

  Kade swung all his weight into a right cross, sending the advancing man thudding into the snow beneath them. One of the dogs leapt, immediately attacking his arm like he’d been trained to. The man, coated in snow and screaming in pain, tried in vain to shake off the determined animal as he flailed about.

  Cester was missing in action, separated when a man had jumped Kade, and he’d lost sight of his captain as the blizzard worsened.

  His entire body on alert sending fire through his muscles, Kade kept his eyes ahead as two more shapes appeared in the snow flurries, creeping towards the main entrance.

  The men were easily outnumbered given the ratio of Stormers still inside. It was the height of stupidity to attack not knowing how many might be able to fight.

  And yet here they were, directly outside the main entrance, Kade defending himself and Cester’s home because they just had to investigate the racket the dogs were making.

  A fist slammed into his middle and Kade sucked in a breath at the pain screaming through his torso. Tightening his stomach muscles to protect himself, hampered by his coat, he rammed his knee into his attacker, half blinded by the snow as it begun to swirl around them.

  His opponent thankfully was smaller, less skilled, and had little left, making it easier for Kade to finish him off with an uppercut that sent him flying on his back.

  The next appeared like an apparition out of the snow, rage written on his face as he tackled Kade, sending them both falling backwards into a snow dumping. Before his assailant could land a punch, Kade chopped at his forearms, wrapping his foot around his attacker’s ankle, simultaneously shoving his forearm against the man’s neck, flipping him over, so he could land a solid punch to his gut.

  The man swore and made an unsuccessful grab before he rolled out of reach, his bulk and darker trousers making him easy to find amidst the whiteout. Kade moved into position to stomp on his head before the man shouted, and he froze with recognition. The dog still barking at them, Kade shouted the command to cease, and the dog backed away towards the stairs.

  “Just like they trained us; kick a man while he’s down. Good dog,” the man shouted.

  Kade paused, anger flooding through his veins as the man pulled himself to standing, blood dripping crimson in the moonlight. The Southern Stormer.

  Kade’s hand found his blade first, and he kept his eyes locked on the bulky man, feet scuffling in the snow. They began to circle each other.

  “Give it up; you can’t win,” Kade growled.

  The Stormer’s voice was just audible over the wind. “You sure about that?”

  Doubt rippled down his spine at the smirk. Sure enough, the man abruptly retreated, sheathing his knife as his smirk grew wider. The Stormer’s eyes flicked to the right of Kade. “Look what the cat dragged in.”

  Kade pivoted, keeping his back to the main building, so he could keep the Stormer in sight, catching movement in his peripheral vision.

  Cester was clomping towards him, a grim look on his face. Kade’s stomach clenched as realisation shuddered through him. “They’ll never let you inside,” he yelled.

  The Stormer grinned, his teeth white in the moonlight as he shouted. “They will if they want to see their captain alive again.”

  Time slowed down, and Kade’s brain whirled with the desire to act as more men appeared. Men he’d not seen inside the hunting shack above them. Where were they hiding?

  Cester locked eyes with him, before he yelled over the wind. “Attack!”

  The dogs appeared from behind Cester, balls of barking fury as they flew at the men nearest Cester. His dagger still in his hand, Kade threw it at the Stormer who dodged swiftly before joining Cester as he battled the man closest to him.

  The man went down in a heap before Kade slugged another. Blinded by snow and rage, Kade fought on until Cester’s voice broke his frenzied state.

  Around him lay men broken, bleeding into the snow, three unmoving, two frozen in terror as the dogs held them pinned to the ground.

  Relief washed over him as Cester slapped him on the back, blood pouring from his nose. “We need to do another sweep before the weather gets worse,” he yelled.

  Kade nodded and turned. The yelp of a dog calling his attention back to the main entrance. The Stormer kicked the dog again, the next yelp lost as Kade fought to cross the snow to reach him.

  Cester beat him to it, his figure lost in the haze of snow flurry. His angry shout mixing with the wind, the sound of blood pumping in his ears, Kade scanned the area quickly, desperation clawing at him at his inability to see.

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17