Page 88 of Blood and Reign

Jax turns around just as Rion and I reach them, a hopeful look on his face. “Is this real, or is it another test?”

“It’s real,” I tell him. I don’t know how I know, but I know this moment is real, and so are each of my brothers.

“Good. The last test kind of sucked.” Axel frowns at Jax but nods his head, agreeing with him.

“You can say that again.”

Jax opens his mouth, but Axel places his hand over it to stop whatever he is about to say. Jax narrows his eyes on him, smacking his hand away before looking at me. “So, I’m guessing everyone else just lived through their worse fucking nightmares and memories?”

“Pretty much.” Axel grumbles as he looks around the room. “Where’s Kiarra and Luka?”

Jax freezes as if he just realizes they’re missing. He opens his mouth to say something when Axel’s frown deepens, taking in the room again. “And why the fuck aren’t there any windows or door in this room?”

As if he’s summoned an answer, a door appears from nowhere on the other side of the room.

We all look at one another, sharing a promise to stick together no matter what happens next before making a move toward it.

A couple of steps is all we take before it opens, revealing Ivor and Soren. The minute they step into the room, the entire atmosphere changes.

Axel cracks his knuckles, narrowing his eyes. “Good timing. I was looking for something to release this built-up energy. You two fucking traitors will do.”

They both take a step back just as the door behind them disappears, leaving them trapped inside with us.

Ivor raises his hands, his eyes wide with fear. “Wait. Just let us explain.”

Rion unsheathes one of his daggers from his side. “The time for explaining has passed.”

Soren swallows hard. The fear on Ivor’s face mirrored on his own. “Please. Let us explain. I promise you, it will all make sense soon.”

“First, take us to Kiarra and Luka.”

Ivor and Soren share a look, one filled with worry. “That’s not feasible right now, but I promise you, they’re both safe.”

“Your promises mean shit to us. Take us to them or King will be the last thing you need to worry about.” Jax’s eyes flash, his wolf ready to attack.

“Look at that. Looks like I can shift now, too.” Jax laughs just as flames light up Axel’s arms.

Axel’s grin turns cruel as he steps forward. “I’d start begging for my life if I were you. We might make it quick.”

Axel shares a look with Jax before shaking his head. “Scratch that, this is definitely going to hurt.”

“Wait.” Jax and Axel freeze as soon as I mutter the word.

“Why?” Axel grits out, but I know his anger isn’t aimed at me.

“I want to know why they put us through it all. The Underworld has nothing to gain from our personal issues.”

“Maybe they fucking feed on our fears.” Jax shrugs, not looking bothered either way.

Ivor takes another step back. “We don’t. That’s not what the trials were for.”

“Then what are they for? Start talking. Now.”

Ivor grunts as my alpha power spreads out around the room demanding an answer. “The minute you used your abilities on the battlefield, we knew you were special, but we could sense your potential was being blocked by something inside each of you. Something was holding you back. Rielle—”

“Who’s Rielle?” I ask.

“She’s the guardian that created the trials for you. Each one was supposed to help you overcome a barrier each of you placed within yourselves. In order to move past that barrier, you needed to work through each trial before moving on.”

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