He took up a position just inside the manor’s half-open door, hoping the wood was thick enough to give him some protection—especially since Breanna was with him.

He felt the power of fire flow into him, making his skin hot and his fingers tingle. He felt a light wind and knew Breanna was gathering the branch of air.

Closer. Closer.

He nocked an arrow. Drew back the bowstring, taking aim at the first man on horseback. Waited.

“There’s a Black Coat among them,” Breanna whispered fiercely.

“You take him,” Liam whispered back.

She sighted, then shook her head. “Can’t. He moved. I’d have to step out into the open to try for him.”

The horsemen reined in. The men flowed in a double line to either side of them.

“Baron Liam!” one of the horsemen yelled. “Surrender now, and your people will not be harmed. You have my word on that.”

“None of the men, you mean,” Liam muttered. “You don’t consider women to be people. You bastard.”

“Liam! If you don’t surrender, your people will suffer for it! What is your answer?”

“This.” Liam let the arrow fly. It hit the horseman high in the chest.

Horses screamed. Reared as arrows flew from the trees and the barn’s hayloft, answered by the enemy archers. He caught a glimpse of the black-coated Inquisitor. Heard someone shouting to fire the catapult.

“I can’t see from here,” Breanna said. “I just can’t see.”

She was out the door, running for the stables before Liam could grab her.

“Breanna!”

The wind staggered him. Saved him as he stumbled forward and the arrow that would have pierced his heart suddenly shot upward to hit the top of the door.

Bent over, he ran as fast as he could. Arrows swirled around him, tumbled like sticks in a storm. He saw Breanna behind the watering trough. Heard her yell of anger and surprise. Saw her pop up, a target begging to be killed. He knocked her down. Felt an arrow slice through the left sleeve of his coat.

“You fool!” he yelled.

“No! Let me up. Liam!” She struggled to get out from under him. As her head smacked his chin, he looked up—and saw the ball of fire arching toward the barn.

Wind roared around him, but it was too late. The flaming ball smashed through the barn roof. The hay would go up instantly, and the men inside—

He looked up and saw one of the Fae in the hayloft. Saw him change into an owl and take flight. Saw him fall, impaled by three arrows.

He shifted enough to let Breanna get to her hands and knees. “We’ve got to get away from here. The barn’s going to go up.”