Adrein.
The crunch of frozen leaves outside the cabin window cut through the room like a blade.
My heart slammed against my ribs, the sudden burst of adrenaline sending a hot spike of pain straight down my frayed bond thread. Beside me, Damien went dead still, his broad shoulders tensing as he cradled Maria tighter against his chest. His eyes shifted instantly into a dark, glowing gold, fixed on the shattered glass of the small window.
I slipped my hand down to the hunting knife at my belt, my knuckles turning white as I held my breath. The cabin was dead quiet. The only sound left in the world was the crackle of the dying hearth fire and the heavy, terrified thumping of my own heart.
CRUNCH.
The sound came again, right beneath the sill of the window.
Damien tilted his head, his jaw locked tight as he prepared to spring. I dragged myself half an inch off the floor, ready to throw my weakened body between whoever was out there and Maria's cot.
