Page 67 of Hellbound

“Take me to your bondsmith; they’ll reassure you of my innocence.” Her heart thundered in her ears. Perhaps she could find out where they kept Danika within Hearth. This would all be worth it. She had escaped Bohdan more than once now, and she was confident she could do it again.

He turned on his heel and ascended to the landing of the stairs, then advanced down a different corridor.

Ksenia kept track of which doors, which staircases, and the countless turns they took, farther down into the depths of Hearth. Each was well-guarded by Envorsen, who saluted and opened the doors as Bohdan passed.

“By my oath, Captain.” The last pair stood outside a stone-hewn door. It ground open with the help of two Envorsen on the interior, who tracked Ksenia steadily but let her through as Bohdan waved them off.

She was met with a blistering and familiar heat.

The forge was large, with three enormous hearths arranged in a horseshoe, each big enough to heat a sword or piece of armor. They spiraled into the same chimney, the brick flues converging before meeting the tall ceiling. Leather bellows with a series of foot pedals sat to the side, and a collection of anvils was positioned around the space. Tools were fastened to each wall—hammers neatly arranged by weight, tongs organized by jaw shape, files and rasps, chisels and punches…

Ksenia could spot Danika’s presence in the way the forge had been sorted.

Her heart skipped several beats when she finally located her sister.

The same pale blue color stood out—this time in the form of Danika’s well-loved handkerchief. It was fashioned into a triangle bandana to mop up the sweat from her brow and keep it from obstructing her vision. Danika pounded a piece of metal against the anvil, her hammer strikes precise.

Several children, about seven years old, gathered around her out of curiosity as she worked.

She looked up, searching for a tool on the walls. One of the children stepped from her side, as if sensing what she needed, and brought her a pair of needle-nosed tongs.

Ksenia suppressed her smile. Danika always worked well with children, making them feel important and capable.

A few others were busy heating the forge, with two at a time pressing the bellows with their small feet.

Bohdan was unruffled by the heat, not a single bead of sweat nor hair out of place. He strode up to Danika, Ksenia trailing behind.

She flitted between two powerful urges: to embrace Danika and to drive Caromir into Bohdan’s neck.

Now that she had found her, escape felt tantalizingly close and yet impossibly distant. Even if she finished off Bohdan, she would have to fend off the guards outside, and despite wandering Hearth for several days, she had yet to uncover all of its passageways and exits, let alone deal with Karsan…

Trapped, she stood decoratively beside Bohdan, wilting in her brocade dress.

Danika wiped the back of her glove against her brow, leaving a streak of soot in its wake.

“Captain.” Her voice was curt but not rude as Bohdan approached.

“Weaponmaster. I have a question for you: is this earring bonded?” He produced the ruby earring on his palm once more, his eyes assessing her expression.

Danika peered into his hand, her eyes flicking to Ksenia.

Sweat was pooling in the hollows of her collarbone now, and Ksenia crossed her arms protectively, forming her right hand into a fist against her chest, praying Danika recognized her signal.

Typical of many siblings, they had developed a little code to avoid trouble with their parents when they were young.

She was adopting a stance that asked Danika to lie and deny.

Sweat dripped into Ksenia’s eye as she spotted a young girl at her sister’s hip who peered more closely at the earring, as if sensing something.

Danika’s eyes narrowed imperceptibly before meeting Bohdan’s. Her throat bobbed slightly.

“This earring is ordinary, Captain.”

Relief washed over Ksenia as her contracted muscles relaxed. Danika had taken a dangerous chance on Ksenia without knowing her true identity. Perhaps she hadn’t changed too much.

“Thank you, weaponmaster. Apologies for the intrusion.” Bohdan gestured for Ksenia to follow, turning briskly on his heel.

Ksenia complied without question, but she lingered on Danika’s tight gaze a beat longer. She wasn’t sure what other hellish challenges were in store for her, but knowing that Danika was alive and well made it worth it.