Chapter 22: Calm Before the Storm

Jeremy

I startled awake to the insistent rap of knuckles against wood. Blinking gritty eyes, I lifted my head from the pillow, senses still fogged by sleep. Odd...who'd come bangin' at this early hour? Beside me Randelle mumbled incoherently, burrowing deeper under the quilts. I chuckled softly, brushing a kiss over her tousled braid before rolling out of bed.

Shivering as cold floorboards leached warmth from my bare soles, I crossed the darkened room. Pale predawn light edged the drawn curtains as I unlatched the door cautiously. Jake's familiar visage greeted me, cheeks ruddy from the chill morning. I cocked a questioning brow as he shouldered past me.

"Apologies for the rude awakening, brother." Jake made straight for our tiny kitchen, stirring the banked fireplace embers back to life. "But Ezra requests your presence at the longhall once you've broken fast. Urgent pack business."

I yawned, scratching fingers through my tousled hair as comprehension filtered through my sleepy brai