THIRTY-NINE

WHAT IS IT now?

It was still dark when Adalene was jarred awake by a commotion outside and by Odette clutching at her shoulder, shaking her awake at the same time, trying to see through a slit in the window what was happening outside.

Odette’s frightened face turned to her. “Something is very wrong, My Lady. I think there are thieves outside an—”

There was a scream that was abruptly cut, and we stared at each other, shocked and scared. That sounded like Olivie. She could now hear the sounds of swords clanging at each other and men shouting and fighting. She thought of Fabian fighting out there and she turned towards the door.

“My Lady!”

“We’ve got to get out of here, Odette. We have to hide. Thieves know we’re here and if they find us, we don’t even know how to fight!”

She opened the door a little and looked out. Men were fighting outside and cursing, shouting. The other carriage was lying on its side with the horses neighing on the ground. Hurt. They’d hurt the horses.

Where is