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Simon’s regiment heading their way.
    Enar snorted, shaking his head. “Don’t think that’s going to be happening.”
    “How do you know?”
    “I’m insulted, woman. Enough of this silly talk. Open the gate.”
    Lily pushed the gate to Keara’s yard open, inhaling the fragrance from the herb garden, while Enar led in the horses. As soon as he entered, she slipped the box containing her paintbrushes into her cloak pocket and locked the gate. Probably a futile effort as a lock would not keep out a determined soldier, but it made her feel better. Lord Simon controlled the only soldiers in town and he would stop at nothing to get his hands on something he wanted. And he wanted Keara.
    Enar’s strength and sword gave a man a fright and she supposed Thoren was equal to Enar in strength, but not even those two would be able to overpower the contingent of soldiers.
    Her Mountain Man and his scrumptious kisses were for naught, she would die before he even got the chance to crush her. And after those kisses she looked forward to being crushed. Bedding him did not mean she had to hand him her heart in a box. Unfortunately, she might never get to discover what he’d be like in bed. If the prickles meant what she thought they did, her friend would be taken and the two men who saved them would lose their lives in the process.
    Clearly leaving town shouldn’t have been crossed off the to-do list.
    Once they secured the horses to the hitching post, Enar grabbed Lily’s hand as he strode into Keara’s shop. Keara stood in the middle of the back room of the shop, a packed bag at her feet, surrounded by Jamie and Thoren. The women stared at each other, their fear mirrored in each other’s eyes and in the sharp scent of their sweat.
    “Company?” Thoren stepped toward Enar.
    “A group of men-at-arms heading this way. And they aren’t being too quiet about it.”
    “Lord Simon!” Keara whispered. “We’ve got to leave before he gets here! He’ll kill you!” Keara spoke to Thoren, motioning toward the back door.
    “I said I would protect you.” Thoren glared at Keara, his forehead furrowed into rows.
    Enar had said the same thing to her, but everyone knew men exaggerated their sword-wielding abilities, among other things. Although she had to admit the two men overwhelmed Keara’s shop, making the room seem smaller. Perhaps that impression boded well for them surviving.
    Lily heard the noise of footsteps in the alley, closing in on the yard, more murmurs from the front of the shop. She swallowed, running her tongue around her dry mouth, trying to stop drawing in air like a bellows. If she kept it up, she’d hyperventilate.
    The noises stopped as the soldiers paused, obviously waiting for the command to storm the shop. Lily felt her heart stop pumping and then Thoren reached into his pocket, pitching Enar a round ball. “Take the boy!”
    Holding Lily tight around the waist, Enar grabbed Jamie against him as he squeezed the ball, causing the air to shimmer around them. Keara screamed, staring at them wide-eyed. Thoren lunged for Keara, clasping a hand over her mouth, murmuring in some language Lily didn’t understand before both disappeared from view.
    Enar clamped a hand over her mouth before the squeak she emitted became a scream. Where did they go? Was she invisible to them, like they were to her? If so, that would explain Keara’s scream when Enar squeezed the ball.
    And a good thing they were invisible since with a bang the front and back doors burst open, allowing soldiers from Lord Simon’s regiment to spill in.
    She glanced down, noting Jamie possessed the good sense to remain quiet without the benefit of Enar’s hand clamped over his mouth. Smart boy. She couldn’t see Keara or Thoren, but knew they still stood in the last place she saw them. Their energy waves reached her, assuring her of their presence.
    Enar dropped his hand from her mouth and she turned, pressing her face against his chest, breathing in