Page 28 of The Best of Brenna Grant

They settled again at their posts, their eyes fixed on the surrounding area. Another loud bellow sounded from a different guard. “Hell. What in blazes was that, Ian? Are you throwing stones or something? You hit me in my forehead. I’ll beat the shite out of you if you do it again.”

“What?” Ian said, sounding both defensive and confused. “I did not throw aught.”

Another shout followed. “Ow.” The fourth guard’s hand went to the back of his head. “Ian, you son of a bitch. Do that again and I’ll kill you.”

Torrian held his laughter in check. Loki and Kenzie were having their fun. Still, he was fast losing his patience, and he wished they would speed things up. His wee wife was inside that cottage with an addled fool.

As if they’d heard his thoughts, several stones launched at the same time, hitting all four guards enough for them to start hurling insults at Ian. All three charged the beleaguered guard.

Loki jumped out of the tree and landed on one of the guards, cutting his throat in an instant. Kenzie threw another rock that hit the second guard in the temple, knocking him out. Now the numbers were in their favor. Torrian lunged for Ian, the closest to him, dodging two of his thrusts before delivering a jarring blow to the man’s midsection, enough to fell him so Loki could finish it.

Jake took care of the fourth guard as a lass’s screams rent the air.

Heather.

Torrian raced to the door and did his best to kick it open, but it was well barred. Loki joined him and between the two of them, they broke the door down. Once inside, Torrian’s eyes immediately shot to Heather—she had crumpled to the floor, and her bodice was ripped in two.

Dugald turned to him, his eyes in a fury.

“Back, Loki,” Torrian growled.

Loki moved out of the small cottage, standing in the doorway but giving Torrian the space he needed to fight his battle.