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“We’ll go out via the window.”

“There’s no ladder,” his sister pointed out.

“Hence why we’ll have to jump and pray we don’t break anything.”

Gustav left while Josslyn’s jaw sat on the floor.

“Jump out the window? Is he insane?” Josslyn squeaked.

“I agree leaping isn’t the best option.” Avera’s gazed tracked the items in the room looking for another option.

“What other choice do we have, though?” Josslyn’s lips turned down.

“I have an idea. Help me,” Avera ordered, pulling at the sheets.

“What are you doing?”

“Creating a rope from the blankets.” She tied the corners of the sheets together. “Get the window open.”

“Where did you get such an idea?” Josslyn asked as Avera tied an end around a bedpost. A blast of fresh air helped clear the room of smoke, but given it kept sliding in through the cracks around the door frame, it would only be a temporary reprieve.

“A story I heard in the kitchen. The shoemaker’s wife was having an affair and one day her husband came home early. Since her lover couldn’t exit without getting caught, he used the sheets to climb down from the window.”

“I take it worked since he survived to tell the tale.”

“Oh no. He died. The husband dropped a chamber pot on his head.”

“That’s terrible,” Josslyn gasped.

“He shouldn’t have made the husband a cuckold, but his idea worked.” Avera tossed the knotted sheets out the window. “Who’s going first?”

“I am,” Gustav announced as he abruptly reentered the room, the brief opening of the door to the hall bringing in a cloud of smoke. “Good idea using the sheets.”

“Where’s the lord and lady?” asked Josslyn.

“Dead.” A flat reply. “Killed in their bed.”

“Most likely the same person who tried to enter our chamber,” Avera murmured.

“Who did it?” Josslyn asked as Gustav gripped the makeshift rope and gave it a tug.

“If I were to guess, Xavier. I knew the lad had issues, but to kill his own parents... I didn’t see that coming. Maybe I am too old.” With that sad claim, Gustav swung out the window and climbed down. At the bottom, he glanced up. “Quickly now. Between the smoke and the fire, you don’t have much time.”

The former tickled the throat something fierce and prickled the eyes. The latter had the floorboards underfoot warming.

“You next,” Josslyn insisted.

Rather than argue, Avera clambered quickly, huffing at the effort but making it to the bottom. Her sword training had left her stronger than most. Not so Josslyn. She appeared on the ledge, hesitant and afraid.

“Come on, Lyn. You can do it,” coaxed Gustav.

“I don’t know if I can,” she admitted.

The house groaned.

“You don’t have a choice. Move. Now!” he barked.

Josslyn grabbed hold of the sheet and squealed as her body dropped down to dangle. Only her fisted grip kept her from falling. “I can’t,” she panted.