A fist struck her side—she gasped.
One hand moved for her throat.
Not again, she thought. Not like this.
Then—
A whistle split the air.
A blur of steel and storm barreled through the trees.
Remi.
She hit the first rogue like a blade, dropping him before he could lift his weapon again. Behind her, two Crestwood guards surged in—arrows flying, runes exploding with force and fire.
The ambush turned.
The raiders broke through--and one by one were killed.
Sophia sank upon her knees, panting, her mouth full of blood.
Its duration was within three minutes.
Remi hastened thither. “You okay? Put your finger where it hurts.”
Sophia gave a cough, then she nodded. “I’m okay. Just—shaken.”
Remi’s eyes narrowed. “That was a kill team.”
One of the rogues groaned nearby, trying to crawl aw
