He seemed far more interested in studying the cabin and measuring what remained of our defenses. He stopped about 30 yards away. I'll give you credit, Wade Coulter. His voice reached us clearly through the smoke. I underestimated all three of you.
No one answered. A faint smile crossed his face. But wooden houses have one unfortunate weakness. He glanced toward the flames, still consuming part of the roof. Sooner or later, they all burn.
I looked around the cabin. Smoke was creeping back into the room. The roof beams had begun to groan. Glowing embers were already falling onto the floorboards. We could not remain inside much longer.
Silas took another step toward us. I'm going to make one final offer. His eyes fixed on the window where Nia stood. Send Nia out to me. Then he raised his gaze toward mine.
And I'll allow you and Jeb Mercer to walk away from this place alive. Silence settled over to the cabin again. Only the restless crackling of the fire remained. I looked at Nia. She understood immediately that the decision belonged to her as much as it did to us.
For a long moment, no one spoke. Then Nia stepped toward the window, gripped the rifle in both hands, and answered with a calm powerful enough to make the morning air feel still. I have spent too many years running. Her eyes remained locked on Silus Crow. Today it ends.
Hearing those words, I understood that the hardest battle of our lives was only now beginning. Nia's declaration lingered between smoke and fire. I have spent too many years running. Today it ends. Even Silas Crowe did not answer immediately.
He studied her with a strange mixture of respect and disappointment, like a man looking at something valuable he had already decided to destroy. Then he sighed. "That's a shame." His hand moved slowly toward his revolver. "My employers preferred that I bring you back alive."
He paused. "I don't share their concern." The shot came so quickly that I barely saw the muzzle flash. The window exploded into a storm of glass. Nia's body twisted violently.
The rifle slipped from her hands. She struck the wall before collapsing onto the floor. A dark stain began spreading along the side of her dress. For one terrible instant, the entire world fell silent. I could not hear the flames.
I could not hear the gunfire. I could not even hear myself breathe. All I saw was Nia lying motionless across those wooden boards. Something inside me broke loose. Nia.