Page 274 of Storm of Secrets and Sorrow

“Whose rooms are these?” Corbin asked, both of the males shifting.

“Theon’s,” he answered. “But it’s fine. I swear nothing will happen. You’ve seen us with Kat.”

“Yeah, but Kat was Axel’s—” Lange started, but Corbin elbowed him in the ribs. “Fuck. Ow,” Lange hissed.

“Kat was Axel’s what?” Luka asked, taking a seat on the sofa.

“His… Justhis,” Lange said.

“Have you seen Axel lately?”

“No,” Corbin answered. “Last time we saw him was two nights ago.”

When he’d left Theon’s room in anger.

They’d all been waiting for the consequences of Axel’s decision to hide Kat away rather than deliver her to Julius and Mansel. The dread in his stomach grew as he realized Axel’s absence was more than him needing time to mourn Katya. It wasn’t unusual for Axel to disappear for days at a time, especially if he was in the Underground, but he usually gave them somewhat of an idea as to where he was going to be.

“Seriously, eat some food,” Luka said, getting back to his feet to go check on Theon.

He found him in the giant dressing room, leaning against the island dresser. He was still pale as death with sweat beading his brow, but he’d managed to get loose pants on somehow.

“She did this three times,” Theon said, dragging a hand through his still wet hair.

“She had someone taking care of her every time, and she could sleep for three days afterwards,” Luka said. “It’s different.”

Theon didn’t reply.

“I know you probably want to just fall into bed, but we have some things to talk about. Lange and Corbin are out there. You good if we talk in front of them?”

“Why would we do that?” Theon asked, looking like he was preparing himself for the simple act of standing on his own.

“One, because they’ve known Tessa longer than we have. Two, because they were the last people to see Axel,” Luka answered.

The mention of his brother like that had Theon on high alert. “What does that mean?”

“Let’s talk about it where you can sit down,” Luka said. “Do you need help or?—”

“I can fucking walk,” Theon muttered, but Luka stayed close anyway as he shuffled out to the living space and practically collapsed onto the sofa.

Corbin and Lange were in the kitchen, all the fixings out for a sandwich, but they momentarily paused at Theon’s appearance.

“It goes without saying you don’t repeat a word of what you hear or see here,” Luka said with a growl.

“Of course,” Corbin said quickly, going back to the sandwich he was making.

“Did Axel say anything to you when you saw him last?” Luka asked.

Lange shrugged. “Not really. He asked about which estates we were at before we were moved to Celeste, and then he asked if I’d be able to help him translate some things.”

“You are from the Falein Estate?” Theon asked, trying to prop himself up on some pillows.

“I am,” Lange said with a nod.

“Nothing else?” Luka asked.

“Not that I can recall,” Lange answered.

Luka turned back to Theon. “We can’t reach him. I think Valter has him. Punishment for Kat.”

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