Meanwhile Nathan stood there in the stillness, the street now deathly silent save for the faint crackle of frost along the stones. His crimson eyes, devoid of warmth or pity, were fixed upon Johanna's frozen form.
Johanna trembled uncontrollably, her lips quivering as she tried and failed to hold his gaze. "P…please…wait…" she whispered, voice brittle and soaked in despair. The defiance that had once defined her was gone — replaced by pure, animal fear.
Behind them, the door of the hidden house burst open. Ameriah stumbled out, her face pale and eyes wide with panic. The distant noise had drawn her out despite Auria's desperate attempts to keep her inside. When she saw Nathan — and the tableau of frozen soldiers and bloodstained snow — her terror surged. Without thinking, she rushed to him, wrapping her arms around his side as if clinging to the only thing keeping her anchored to reality.
"Lord Nathan…" Her voice trembled, muffled against his coat.
