Page 67 of Jeweler to the Blessed
If he’d said something, I hadn’t heard it.
He pulled off his helmet and rubbed his forehead. I swearhe growled as he did it. “That group? I told you. I didn’t recognize any of them as Feared.”
Hart certainly took my safety seriously, if nothing else. He was still stuck on why Vaddon wanted me dead.
I put my hand on my hip. “And let me guess, everyone got away.”
Hart arched a brow in question. “Why don’t you ask what you want to ask, Chaos?”
“Why do the Feared keep getting away on your watch?”
Even as I said it, I knew it wasn’t fair. Yes, some got away, but just as many were dead at my feet.
He sighed. “I’m telling you. Those were not the Feared. Vaddon is not the Feared. There is another threat to you in this city.”
It felt too convenient, and I needed to get out of here. I hadn’t found Ava, and I needed to talk to her. No matter how ill-advised, I knew I’d have to sneak out and see her at Forest’s Edge—this time, without Vaddon’s help. If what Hart said was true, as long as no one helped me leave without him, no one could set me up to be ambushed. It was the best I could reassure myself.
“I’m going to my room,” I said.
He turned to storm after me up the steps. “You need to take your safety more seriously. I can’t protect you if you don’t protect yourself.”
He was not going to be happy with my next decision.
It’s not that he was wrong. I knew there was a real risk to me in the city. But finding Alaric’s note taught me that I couldn’t let the situation dictate my actions anymore.
Alaric was gone. He wasn’t returning, and I needed to find a way out of the mess I’d landed in. I’d learn if Alaric had set up a delivery for Mother with Ava. If there was any chance Mother would be fine without me, I could take moreconsiderable risks. If I no longer needed to search for Alaric, then my current cage would be built only of my responsibility to Mother. It was time to test the strength of the bars.
Hart must have kept on talking as we scaled the staircase. I wasn’t listening. He grabbed my sleeve, turning me toward him. I didn’t flinch at the reach—only glared.
“The only reason I didn’t arrest that little prick was because I thought he meant something to you.”
My mind spun, trying to catch up with his words.Little prick—was he talking about Macen?
“If you want him gone, all you have to do is say the word.”
I tilted my head in question. “And what? You’ll have Macen arrested?”
“Sure,” he said.
His anger at Macen was genuine. I’d seen it in the Oldwood. This answer left something out. I squinted, reading between his statements.
“You’d have him killed?”
He waved his hand in dismissal. “He wouldn’t bother you again. Is that what you want?”
That was so not an answer.
“I don’t want you to kill him.” I turned and continued my hike up the staircase. “I told you I could take care of it myself.”
“I believe you. Like, I hope you believe me when I say I sent other guards after those who attacked you this morning. I haven’t heard if any were found.”
“Fine.”
I took a few more steps. Something he said still rankled, and I couldn’t stop from pausing our ascent. I turned to where Hart stopped behind me.
The words slipped out before I knew what I’d say. “He doesn’t mean anything to me. Macen. I thought he did once. I’ve learned from my mistakes.”
“Glad to hear it.” That smirk curled his lip.
