Page 34 of Blood and Reign

“Exactly,dude.” Jax moves, shifting into his wolf before Axel has time to reply.

Axel turns to Luka, shaking his head. “How the fuck are you two related?”

He doesn’t wait for a reply as he steps forward, flames engulfing his entire body as his dragon emerges.

They both head straight for the old demon first. Just as Jax hits the horde, instinct kicks in and my power surfaces and strikes, clearing a path for him.

I hear the guys chuckle beside me but stay focused on Jax and Axel.

“I guess we’ll just wait this one out.” I glance at Kai just as he smirks at me.

Turning back to the scene in front of me, I focus on the horde, ripping through any that get too close to either of my mates. By the time Axel and Jax have destroyed the old demon, the horde is already gone.

I pull my power back to find three proud mates smiling back at me.

Soren raises a brow. He opens his mouth but stops himself, shaking his head. “Let’s get this over with.”

I glance around at the destruction left behind, the ground now scorched by the horde remains and a large pit of flames where the large demon once stood. We avoid it as we make our way closer to the large black gates.

Axel and Jax have already shifted back and are eyeing up the monstrous thing.

This close up I can see each detail vividly, with black ornate carvings and strange shapes. Two large black snakes sit on each side, curling around the strange symbol designs as if alive and moving.

“I don’t suppose you have the key?” Jax raises a brow at Soren.

Soren glances up to the darkened sky as if he’s contemplating his life choices. “No key would allow you to open these gates, nor spells or trickery. Only Orthis can allow you to pass through.”

“Right. Well, Orthis seems to be taking a little vacation right now, so how do we get in?” Jax looks at Soren likehe’sthe idiot here. I bite my lip to stop the laugh bubbling up my throat. I didn’t think Soren appreciated Jax’s sense of humor.

Jax sends me a sly wink as if knowing, making me smile.

Soren starts pacing up and down, lost in his thoughts. We group together, letting Soren have his moment and try to figure out how to get through the gates.

“Any ideas?” Kai asks.

Axel eyes up the gates. “Maybe if we work together, we might have enough power to destroy them?”

Soren sighs, loud enough for us to hear him. “You can’t destroy the gates. They’re impenetrable.”

Axel scoffs. “Like you can come up with anything better.”

Soren narrows his eyes on him. He opens his mouth but quickly shuts it before turning and walking further away from us, mumbling something about foolish kids.

“Looks like the old man has finally lost it.” Jax fist bumps Axel’s shoulder, smiling. “Good job. I was wondering how long it would take him to crack.”

“He doesn’t look that old.” Maybe a few years older than us. But I guess you could never really tell with supes. He could be a few centuries old, for all I know.

The guys all swing their narrowed gazes at me, growing quiet.

“What?”

Kai sighs, shaking his head, while Rion shares a frown with Luka. It takes a second, but it finally dawns on me what conclusion they’re jumping to.

Idiots.

“I wasn’t looking at him as another prospective. Fuck, guys, tone down the possessive streak a little.”

“What do you mean,anotherprospect? As in there was someone else?” Jax’s brows reach his forehead as he steps closer to me, Axel right by his side.

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