Drake moved soundlessly to the window, carefully parting the curtain to peer outside. His face darkened instantly.
"How many?" I asked, barely above a breath.
He quietly held up two fingers.
And judging from the grim line of his lips, it wasn't two.
I gripped the hilt of my dagger tighter, grinding my teeth. A ten-against-one ratio, no matter how skilled Drake and I were, there was no way to guarantee we'd get out alive.
"I repeat, open the door, or we'll be forced to use violence!" The voice outside barked, harder and more threatening this time.
Drake pressed a finger to his lips, signaling for silence, then pointed upward. He knew just as well as I did, this wasn't a battle we could win.
I nodded and crept toward the staircase. Drake followed right behind me, both of us careful not to make the slightest sound.
"Open the door! Or we'll break it down!"
The pounding and shouting followed us upstairs like a cursed echo.
