Chapter 23 · Frontier Lord - Chapter 23: Raid Before the Snow

The first arrow hit the watchtower post two inches from Ava's head.

She didn't scream. Didn't have time. Rain's hand was already on her collar, yanking her down behind the half-finished rampart. His other hand came up with a blade she didn't know he'd been carrying.

"Stay low." His voice was flat. Cold. Like she was cargo, not the person who'd pulled him out of the snow three months ago.

More arrows. The sound of boots on frozen ground, too many, coming fast. Ava's pulse hammered in her throat. She pressed her back against the rough stone and tried to count. Ten? Fifteen? The refugees were scattered—some in the main hall, some still in the fields finishing the last harvest before the freeze.

"How many?" she whispered.

Rain didn't look at her. His jaw was tight, eyes scanning the tree line. "Enough."

That was all she was getting. Ever since the wall collapse yesterday, since he'd let go of her hand like it burned him, he'd been like this. One-word answers. No eye contact. She didn't know what he'd seen down in that rubble, but whatever it was, he wasn't asking her about it. He was just done.

Another volley.