Blackmane was trying not to think about it, because every time he did, his jaw tightened and his hands curled into fists. ‘We should do a proper check of the area and separate from the St Clare people as soon as possible.’

Hadewaye nodded. ‘I’ll go. You wake Lady Isabel and make a plan.’

It was a conversation Blackmane was dreading. Even if she agreed with him and returned to the camp, he could not predict the outcome of her reunion with Hodge. But running was not an option, not from that man. He would lose his mind, and it would be the wastelanders who paid the price for her disappearance.

Hadewaye mounted his horse and cantered away. Seal had now returned to the other campfire and was dousing it with water, likely thinking along the same lines as them.

Drawing a breath, Blackmane headed for Isabel. He was halfway there when he felt the small hairs on the back of his neck stand up. He whipped his head around, listening. Nothing. Yet the hairs remained erect.

Changing course, he went straight over to Ita, who was now sitting upright, watching him.

‘What’s wrong?’ she asked.

‘Don’t know yet.’ He glanced at Rabbit, who was now tugging on his boots. ‘But I think you should all get as far away from us as possible.’

Ita stood up and looked over at Isabel. ‘Is she going back to him?’

‘Do you see another way?’

Her throat bobbed, and she shook her head. ‘Will you take care of her?’

‘While I can.’

Her expression bordered on heartbroken as she went to join the others, who had already gathered their belongings and were preparing to mount. They had done this dance before—likely many times.

Blackmane went to retrieve his bow and quiver, eyes going to the trees around them. All was still.

‘Isabel,’ he said. ‘It’s time to go.’ He snatched up his waterskin and threw the contents over the fire. It hissed, sending swirls of smoke into the air.

Isabel blinked her eyes open and sat up, looking over at Ita, who was now on her horse preparing to leave. ‘What’s going on?’

A flash of movement in the trees caught Blackmane’s eye. Turning, he gestured for the other group to move out. Something told him if they did not leave now, they would not be leaving at all.

Isabel scrambled to her feet and went to run after Ita, but Blackmane caught her around the waist and brought his mouth to her ear. ‘Do you want her to live?’

She went limp against him.

The sound of hooves prompted Blackmane to swing Isabel behind him and load his bow.

Hadewaye rode into sight. ‘Get out of here—now.’

Margery appeared overhead, swooping down over them with a shrill chirp.

‘It is too late,’ Isabel said. ‘They are already here.’

Hiss.