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The sounds of the battle would haunt her for a long time. But she also knew she didn’t blame Hammer. The only person to blame was Ajmal, who had started all of this simply because he was greedy and hungry for power.
She turned back to Hammer, who took his foot off Ajmal’s neck. Then, he bent down swiftly and grabbed the man. He lifted Ajmal by his throat and glared at the man.
Charlie couldn’t believe that the two men had ever been friends.
She only moved forward when she saw Hammer’s hand tighten. Ajmal’s face turned purple, his mouth sputtering. It was a vain attempt to breathe. Hammer’s hand tightened more and more.
Charlie had stopped breathing as she watched the scene before her. Hammer tossed Ajmal to the ground and then kicked him.
A dark, low rumbling reverberated around the space. Charlie realized quickly that it came from Hammer. He was staring down at Ajmal with abhorrence.
His hatred for Ajmal was so great that he couldn’t keep it contained. Hammer kicked Ajmal again before he spat on him.
“Hello, my old friend,” he hissed. Charlie’s skin prickled, and she shivered. She was afraid. As much as she hated Ajmal, she did not want to watch his murder.
Hammer was still speaking. “Hello, my brother. My old ally. How is the man I trusted with my life?”
She turned and closed her eyes, wincing. The dull thuds she heard were Hammer kicking Ajmal.
He wouldn’t kill Ajmal like that. She knew he wanted to rip the man apart. She could not let that happen. She could not let him murder Ajmal in cold blood. Because she knew Hammer was not like that. And no matter how much he hated Ajmal, he would never be able to get over that. She knew he was honorable.
“I’m s-s-sorry!”
She whipped around at the outburst. Hammer was looking down in disbelief. Ajmal was crying and holding his hands up.
“I’m sorry,” the man whispered again. Hammer’s lip curled with disgust. Charlie walked up to them both. “I’m sorry.”
She had to hear this for herself.
“Hammer, I lied!” Ajmal sobbed the words. “I traded you for my life. I wouldn’t make it in prison. But I knew you could.”
“Oh?” Hammer said, his voice filled with derision. “You can come up with a better excuse!” Hammer snapped his fingers in Ajmal’s face. “Come on, old friend. Think!”
“I’m sorry!” Ajmal lifted his hands to protect his face. He was sniveling, but he kept talking. “I shouldn’t have done that. I’m so sorry.”
Hammer rolled his eyes and snorted. He gave Ajmal another thoughtful kick.
Then he turned to Charlie. “Are you okay?” His voice was low. His question was tentative. He was afraid that she would be scared of him. Charlie crossed her arms over her chest, hugging herself.
She opened her mouth but realized she couldn’t speak. Her throat was constricted. By fear?
Charlie shook her head at Hammer. Then she swallowed, clearing her throat. “I don’t know.” When she did speak, it came out in a whisper. “I don’t know.”
Ajmal still sobbed and whimpered behind them. Hammer turned to him impatiently.
“Shut up!” he roared, and Ajmal fell silent instantly. When Charlie looked at him, his eyes were wide and glassy again.
He was still seeing the fire. The dancing flames.
“What can I do?” Hammer asked her. “What can I do to make you okay?”
“I don’t know,” Charlie said again, more slowly. “I don’t blame you for anything. I need time.”
He nodded, and Charlie did not miss the fear that crossed his face. What was Hammer afraid of? Hammer turned to look at Ajmal again. The tenderness with which he had looked at her vanished, replaced by an ugly snarl, and Charlie darted forward as Hammer’s hand shifted. It became a large, deadly claw.
Hammer was about to use it to kill Ajmal. And Charlie couldn’t let that happen.
“Stop!” She placed one hand on Hammer’s other arm. He relaxed instantly, the tenderness returning.
