Page 160 of Tempest of Wrath and Vengeance

She smiled as she ran her fingers along the top of the case. “What one person covets, another treasures,” she replied.Honey-colored eyes trailed along his body, a slight frown appearing on her full lips. “What are you wearing?”

“Travel clothes,” he answered.

Leaning a hip against the table, she asked, “How did it go?”

“As expected,” Axel replied, a bite to his tone. “You set me up, Bree.”

“I did no such thing, darling,” she cooed. “I promised to find her for you, and I did.”

“You knew what would happen,” he argued.

“I showed you I deliver on my promises,” she said sharply, pushing off the table. Her heels clicked on the stone floor as she came toward him, and when she reached up to brush his hair back, he jerked his head out of reach. With a pout, she chided, “And this is the thanks I receive? It’s rude, Axel.” When she reached again, he let her run her fingertips along his jaw, and she smiled. “Much better.”

Axel grabbed her wrist, pulling her hand from his face. “I didn’t come back here for this, Bree.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Then whatdidyou come back here for?”

“I…have nowhere else to go.”

“And you think insulting me is wise in this instance?”

“I didn’t intend to insult you,” he replied quickly. “I simply need some time to adjust before we discuss…all of that. I do not think that is an unreasonable request in this instance.”

The words appeared to placate her as her shoulders relaxed. “Of course. It’s been so long for me, I forget that the transition can be rather jarring.”

“Exactly,” Axel said. “And I haven’t fully…turned.”

He nearly choked on the word. Maybe Cienna was wrong. Maybe two weeks from now he would still have his shadows. He wasn’t using his magic, keeping his power wells full as long as he could, because for some insane reason he thought if he didn’t use them, it would keep the inevitable from happening.

But he knew Cienna wasn’t wrong. He’d been too close to crossing that line for a while now. He’d taken so much blood from Katya. More than enough to trigger the curse. Axel had thought it’d be an instantaneous thing. Slowly turning was far worse. As much as he’d hated coming back here, he didn’t know where else to go. He hadn’t been lying when he said he had nowhere else to turn. At least here they would understand what was happening and be able to answer his questions.

Linking her arm through his, Bree said, “Come join us for dinner. Relax. Get to know everyone.”

He let her lead him from the vault room and back along the passages, trying to memorize the halls they were taking.

“Of course, I’ll have a much more comfortable room prepared for you,” Bree was saying.

“Thank you, Bree,” Axel said. “I appreciate it.”

They strolled into the dining hall, still arm-in-arm, and Axel quickly slid his Arius heir mask into place when he found Mansel and Julius already seated. There were a few others. The male who had led him to Bree upon arrival. Another male and two females. Bree didn’t introduce anyone as she led him to the end of the table, gesturing for him to take a seat to her right while she sat at the head of the table.

Plates of potatoes and barely seared meat were placed in front of them. The vampyres were also all given a crystal glass of blood.

Including him.

Axel stared at the red liquid. Dark and thick. He didn’t want it. Didn’tneedit.

Maybe Cienna was wrong after all.

“Anything you can share with us from your brief visit to the kingdoms?” Bree asked, slicing into her food.

“My…what?” Axel asked, distracted and still staring at the blood.

“Your trip outside the Underground. What news do you bring back with you?” she answered, waiting expectantly.

Finally tearing his eyes from the glass, he looked at her. “I don’t have any news.”

She clicked her tongue. “You were gone for nearly a week and have no news from the outside? Not even a weather report?”

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