They sped up the incline to the second level, then down the corridor. But before they could reach a room that opened on the inner court, tumult broke out on this upper floor also. Guards shouted. There was a beat of feet; the clamor of men rushing towards them.
Jarl leaped for a doorway. "In here—on the double!"
His men crowded past him. Shoving Ylana before him, Jarl followed. Inside, he half-closed the door.
Like statues, they waited. The hurrying guard squad came closer.
Jarl gripped Ylana tight, her slim body hard against him. He cupped his hand over her mouth. The golden hair brushed his cheek. He could feel her heart pounding.
The first of the blue-uniformed Federation fighters ran past the half-open door.
Jarl poised his light-gun.
In the same instant, lance-sharp pain stabbed through the hand he held over Ylana's mouth.
He jerked back by instinct—and knew of a sudden even as he did it that the girl had bitten him.