NINE

Shira was woken when someone turned a key in the doors keyhole, even before the door was opened. Her battle instructor had thought her to sleep light.

She watched as Liam stepped in, and she got up from the floor immediately and rushed to embrace him, but he quickly stepped aside.

‘’My lady, I have come to take you with me. We are leaving immediately.’’

‘’Leaving immediately.’’ Shira repeated a little dazed as the sleep had not quite left her.

‘’Yes My lady. Our position here has been compromised, and we must leave.’’

She remembered then, everything Leywin had said about ‘their enemies’ knowing where they were, and about the Shark being both afraid and unafraid. She bent her head. ‘’I really have nothing to pack, so I might just as well follow you immediately.’’

‘’Liam nodded then held out his arm.’’

Somewhere during her sleep, the Shark’s coat had slipped off her shoulders, Liam lowered his eyes now, when he saw her turn dress.

Shira bent down, picked the c