Hand your mate over

She landed hard, the breath knocked out of her. The missile hit the opposite wall with so much force that it should have brought the roof crashing down but the house merely shook, absorbing the impact.

“Stay down.” Riordan growled and went to the window, peering out. He cursed colourfully and she leaped up.

“Who are those?” She asked, angry at her hope being dashed. “What do they want?”

He looked calm again when he turned to her.

“Go to the inner room now! If you want to survive the next hour, you had better stay in there and out of sight.” He ordered and she balked at being ordered around by him. Without waiting for her response he prowled outside to meet his guests.

Go inside her foot. She pulled up at the window again, peering out discreetly.

She watched him stop in front of the army, his arms loosely at his side.

“Derrick!” He called. “I didn’t expect to have you.”

“I have no time for pleasantries Riordan. Where is the bride I gave to you?” The man called Derrick snarled.