Page 78 of Storm of Secrets and Sorrow

He’d have to find more for Theon and Luka, but he’d worry about that after he could think clearly and not around a haze of need.

“The cost?” Axel asked, reaching for the bottle.

“I need something from the clan leaders,” Turner said, pulling the bottle back.

“What do I have to do with that?”

“You can convince them to give it to me.”

Axel’s eyes narrowed. “What is it?”

“They stole a weapon from one of my establishments. I want it back,” Turner answered.

“What kind of weapon?” Axel asked, unease coiling in his gut.

“A rare and very expensive kind.”

“Let me guess: the kind that can kill a Legacy?”

Turner arched a brow. “You know of it?”

“You know having such a thing is cause for immediate death?”

“Without it, death is imminent anyway. If the rumors are true, that is,” Turner answered, stretching a hand towards him. “Do we have a deal or not?”

The blood was right there. Axel could practically taste it, and he knew, deep down, that if he didn’t take it, he’d be taking some from Kat. Something in him was both horrified and intrigued by the idea, and that scared him more than this godsdamn deal. He’d figure something out.

“It’s a Bargain,” Axel said, slapping his hand into Turner’s and feeling yet another Bargain Mark prickle along his flesh.

It was seconds from the time his fingers closed around the bottle to the liquid sliding down his throat as he drank. Katyawas staring at him with wide eyes, but Turner was chuckling. Axel ignored him, pulling Kat out of the shop.

“Axel—”

But he cut her off. “Let’s get you some fresh clothes, then we’ll go back to the penthouse.”

“You said we needed supplies,” she argued.

He took a few more swallows, already feeling his empty reserves start to well, relief flooding through him as he sank into the comfort of having his power back. No craving controlling him anymore. No withdrawal driving his actions.

“Looks like we need to pay a visit to the clan leaders,” Axel said, nudging her towards a shop across the road. “And I think Theon will want to be a part of that.”

“And if Tessa isn’t awake?” Kat asked.

“We’re all making sacrifices here,” Axel said darkly. “If he doesn’t trust me to find out the reasons for the unrest among the Night Children, he can come with and get the answers himself.”

15

THEON

“We’re making this fast,” Theon said, striding across the bridge.

It spanned a wide cavern, and it separated the House of Four from the rest of the Dispensary District. Of course, once they got across the bridge, they’d have to climb a steep staircase because the House of Four overlooked everything below, much like the penthouse they stayed in did in the Charter District.

The same penthouse he’d left Tessa in.

She still hadn’t woken. Theon had managed to hold Axel off for the rest of the day, but this morning, his brother had insisted on having this meeting. Gia had told him Tessa would make a full recovery, and that said recovery would come faster if she was allowed to rest properly. He’d begrudgingly thanked the Witch. She was skilled, he’d give her that.

They’d hired a thief in the Charter District to discreetly get them more Fae blood, and he and Luka had refilled their reserves. Then he’d left Luka to stay with Tessa while he’d traipsed across the Districts to meet with the clan leaders. He’d tried telling Axel to handle it himself, but Axel had insisted. Andyeah, Theon couldn’t blame him. He’d been a dick to his brother yesterday, even if the words rang somewhat true. He wouldn’t apologize. Axel should have known, but they could have had the conversation differently.

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