pain opening on her shoulder. The wound wasn’t deep. Given the lack of concern as Charles watched Shea retreat until her back was against the wall, he had little worry that she would escape this encounter alive. He was toying with her.
Desperation and panic fought for space in her head. She struggled to remember what Trenton had taught her, what he had drilled into her time and again during training.
Her opponent had both an extended reach with his sword, and a horse that could trample her to death. She was also outnumbered.
One hand slipped behind her to withdraw the short dagger she kept on her at all times. She’d prefer a sword, but she hadn’t thought to bring hers when she slipped out of camp. When Trenton found out, he would skin her.
She held it close to her side.
“She’s armed,” the man on her right said. “End this, so we can move on.”
There was a small thump as an arrow embedded itself into the throat of the man who had just spoken.
Shea didn’t wait, taking advantage of their surprise and darting in the direction of the fallen man. His horse stamped and whirled. Shea dodged it as Charles and the other man kicked their horses after her.
She ducked past the horse, noting Braden standing bow in hand, notching another arrow.
She’d never make it to him before one of the other two ran her down. Her feet turned toward a gap between two buildings. She ran along the small space even as the sound of hooves pounding against cobblestone followed her. She burst onto the next street.
“Shea, follow me,” Braden said from several yards down the street. He’d guessed her route and followed on a different path. She hesitated, her suspicions of before no less valid. “Don’t be stupid. I just saved your ass.”
He had.
They’d stand a better chance if they were together.
Her decision made, she ran towards him and followed when he turned and made his way through the city. It wasn’t long until the sound of pursuit followed, chasing them through the city—gradually herding them in a certain direction.
“How are they doing this?” Shea asked, leaning against the side of a building. She was out of breath and beginning to think there might not be a way out of this.
Braden shook his head. “They must have more men out here.”
“How many people missed head count?” Shea asked.
“Ten.”
She dropped her head back and looked up at the inky darkness. Only small patches of a starry night sky could be seen. Ten. He might as well have said a hundred.
“We’re making a lot of noise. Eventually Caden and the rest of the men will hear and come investigating,” Braden said.
Shea preferred not to rely on ifs and shoulds. There was no guarantee they’d hear all this racket, and even if they did, chances were Shea and Braden would be dead long before then.
“You shouldn’t have run off and called attention to yourself.” Disapproval colored Braden’s tone.
Shea shot him dark look. “I’m sorry. When someone threatens to kill me, I tend to try to remove myself from the situation.”
“I never intended to kill you.”
Shea scoffed, letting the sound speak for her.
“I didn’t. I just said at one time I had planned to kill you. You know, before. It’s been a while since I’ve actively plotted your death.”
Shea opened her mouth with a sharp retort but was prevented from speaking as a horse and rider clattered around the corner, torch held aloft. Seeing them, he called over his should, “Here, I’ve found them.”
“Time to go.” Shea bounded away from the building, Braden on her heels. Another rider cut them off at the end of the street as the first closed in behind. They started for an alley but pulled up short when another horse and rider trotted out of the shadows.
They were surrounded.
Braden put his back to Shea’s, notching an arrow and holding his bow at the ready. He’d given her his sword so at least she wasn’t completely unarmed.
Charles turned the corner, letting his horse walk towards them at a leisurely pace. “General, what a surprise. I had not thought to see you out here.”
“Who is this?” Braden asked Shea, not taking his eyes off the armed men approaching them.
“Charles. You met him. He was in charge of the beast board.”
Charles smile was ugly. “I suppose I shouldn’t be too surprised he doesn’t recognize me. It would be too much to expect a general to know those that serve under him.”
“I know