Page 126 of Kingdom of Chains

Blackmane continued slowly and silently all the way to the front door, finding it locked. He crept to the window and peered through the shutters. The glow coming from the kitchen was intense, and the house was full of smoke, the smell seeping out to greet him.

That marked the end of his subtle approach.

He returned to the door and kicked it open, entering the house with a ready arrow. The smoke grew thicker as he neared the kitchen. When he reached it, he could barely see a thing, and the air was stifling hot. He fired an arrow at the window shutter, knocking it open. The smoke was sucked through it.

‘Unbelievable’ came Hodge’s voice through the smoke. ‘It seems I am not the only person watching you from afar, my beloved.’

Blackmane gauged the scene before him. He could now make out Hodge standing on the far side of the kitchen, a sword in one hand and a piece of burning wood in the other. It took Blackmane a moment to notice the body curled in a ball on the floor at the earl’s feet.

Belle.

‘Shoot me and this will land directly on top of her,’ Hodge said, holding the burning wood above her head.

Blackmane was still trying to figure out what was going on. ‘Belle,’ he called to her, trying to figure out if she was conscious.

Isabel opened her eyes and looked straight at him. The muscles in his chest relaxed.

‘Oh,’ Hodge said. ‘It isBellenow. How intimate.’

Blackmane glared in his direction. ‘What the hell have you done to her?’

Hodge wiped sweat from his brow. ‘Actually, I am being very patient given how dramatic she is being.’

Blackmane wondered if he could shoot the wood out of his hand without burning her in the process. He did not think so.

A soft laugh came from Hodge. ‘Look at you scrambling to figure all this out. What are you going to do, defender? We both know you will not risk her getting hurt. But that is not the only reason you hesitate, is it?’ His lips curled into a snarl-likegrin. ‘You cannot harm me, can you? Even though your heart is bursting with hate for me.’

Blackmane did not respond.

‘I know this because you came into my home and killed many men.’ He paused. ‘Except the only man you wanted dead.’ He broke off in a cough. ‘You really are exceptionally loyal. A fine example of a soldier.’ He coughed again. ‘That is the difference between you and me. I would kill you in a heartbeat.’

Blackmane looked down at Isabel, and she slid her hand a few inches towards him.

‘Shall we test that loyalty?’ Hodge asked, eyes watering profusely. ‘Shall I drop this burning wood and see if I live to tell the tale?’

‘If you drop it, you’ll hurt her, and I know you don’t want that.’ He took a small step into the room, pushing against the heat repelling him. ‘How about you put that piece of wood into the stove, and then I move aside and let you leave?’

Hodge shook his head. ‘No, defender. We will not be playing by your rules this time.’

Blackmane saw something flash past the open window. A moment later, Margery flew through it, wings beating and talons reaching. She snatched the burning wood from Hodge’s hand and dropped it at Blackmane’s feet on her way out of the kitchen. He stomped on the wood until the flames died out, then looked at Hodge, who was staring wide-eyed at his empty hand.

‘You’re right,’ Blackmane said. ‘I’m exceptionally loyal.’ The string of his bow tightened. ‘And sometimes loyalties shift.’ With that, he released the arrow.

It struck Hodge in the stomach. He doubled over, clutching at the wound and staring down at the protruding arrow with disbelief.

‘That’s for every person you imprisoned and killed in cold blood,’ Blackmane said.

Hodge lifted his gaze, eyes wild with fear.

‘And this one’s for Belle.’ He released the next arrow straight into his eye.

Hodge collapsed on the ground, all air expelling from his lungs as he landed. Blood pooled around him.

Blackmane rushed over to Isabel, slinging his bow over one shoulder before scooping her up and carrying her out of the house. He took her far away from the smoke before setting her down on the ground.

‘Are you hurt?’ he asked, checking her for injury.

She coughed and shook her head, looking frantically around. ‘Where are they?’

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