Page 38 of Kingdom of Chains

Hadewaye leaned in, voice low. ‘Webb let her go for a ride, and she hasn’t come back.’

If Hodge did not kill Webb, then Blackmane likely would. ‘How long ago?’

‘A couple hours,’ Tatum said.

‘He let her leave in the middle of the night?’

‘Clearly he’s paying for it now.’

‘If anything happens to her, I am holding you personally responsible,’ Hodge was saying. ‘Now get out there and find her. I want as many men searching as we can spare.’

Blackmane looked back in the direction of the kitchen, then took off at a run.

‘Where are you going?’ Alveye called to his back.

He ignored the question and headed straight for the woman who had given him the soup, approaching so fast she scurried back from him.

‘Where did she go?’ The question came out as a growl.

‘Who?’

‘You know exactly who. She’s gone, and I want to know where.’

She swallowed. ‘She left the camp?’

He leaned in, prompting her to back up even more. ‘I’m not playing this game with you. Tell me where she is right now, or I’ll drag you before Hodge and you can tellhiminstead.’

She pressed a hand to her chest. ‘You do not understand what you are threatening. He cannot know we are alive.’

‘We?’

She hesitated. ‘I have a daughter. Ita. She is the same age as Isabel.’

Blackmane searched her eyes. ‘Has she gone to your daughter?’

Silence.

‘Has she?’

‘Yes.’

‘Where?’ When he was met with silence again, he brought his face close to hers. ‘Where is she?’

‘I cannot tell you.’

‘You cannot, or you will not?’

Her eyes pleaded with him. ‘Isabelwantedto go. She knew the risks.’

He took hold of her arms. ‘Every second I waste on this conversation is a second I could be looking for her.’

She began to tremble. ‘I… I told her to head southeast, to follow the creek. If she is there, they will find her.’

‘They?’

She swallowed—twice. ‘The St Clare group.’

She had sent Isabel into a lion’s den. He released her. ‘You better pray she’s still alive.’ He marched away, dark thoughts screaming inside his head.

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