Page 249 of Dawn of Chaos and Fury
“Years is not acceptable,” Axel said darkly. “And you’re certain we cannot kill her?”
“She is older than anyone I know. Than anyone here,” Cade said.
“That doesn’t mean she can’t be killed,” Axel argued.
“But what if she’snotfrom here?” Kat said, sitting up a little straighter.
Axel frowned, rubbing his palm along Maddox’s back as he stirred. “You think she came through a mirror gate at some point?”
That was plausible, he supposed, but it still didn’t explain why she couldn’t be killed.
“Maybe, but I don’t think that’s the case,” Kat said, pacing the same way Theon did when he was putting pieces of somethingtogether. “I don’t know exactly how, but…” She paused, turning to face him. “I think we’re going to need Tessa to imprison her. Maybe there is a way to kill her, but if we can imprison her until we figure it out, then we do that tonight.”
“Tonight,” Axel repeated.
She gestured to Cade. “They just said it might be our only chance for a while.”
“We’re nowhere near ready,” Axel argued.
“Something has her on edge,” Rayell cut in. “It’s the only reason she’s come out of hiding. She’s at the House of Four, but she won’t stay there long, Axel.”
“If Tessa comes, Luka has to come because of that Life Mark. And if Luka comes, then Theon is going to come. That is too many people to do this quietly,” Axel said.
“So Theon and Luka stay here with Maddox while the rest of us go,” Kat said, as if it would be that simple.
“Right,” Axel deadpanned. “You convince them of that, and we’ll go tonight, kitten.”
“Great,” she answered, lifting a palm before flames carried a fire message to Arius House.
There was no way in all the Pits of Torment she was going to convince Theon and Luka to let Tessa do this alone with them.
The three of them were escorted into the room several minutes later, and Theon was immediately taking Maddox from Axel. Tessa watched him, her lips thinning, before she focused her attention on Kat.
“You said you needed me?” she asked, drifting closer and perusing the books scattered about.
“I think we’re going to need your magic to imprison Bree,” Kat replied.
“Of course,” she answered, flipping through pages. “Just let me know when.”
“Tonight.”
She looked up, her brow arching. “Tonight?”
Kat nodded. “Rayell and Cade have found her, but it might be our only chance for a while.” She paused, glancing at Axel. He smirked in response, gesturing for her to continue. “And it needs to be just you. Theon and Luka need to stay behind.”
“Not happening,” Theon said immediately while Luka said, “Fuck no.”
“It’s too many people for us to be covert,” Kat argued. “We understand Luka and Tessa can’t be too far apart. We’re just going across the Underground. We’ve done this before. You two can stay with Maddox.”
“No,” Theon said simply while Luka just crossed his arms.
“Theon, you can’t be serious. We need Rayell and Cade to guide us through the House of Four. With Tessa, that’s five people trying not to be seen. Adding two more is simply unjustifiable.”
“And if she gets lost to her power and you cannot call her back? What then?” Theon countered in a harsh whisper, and Axel swallowed his huff of laughter at how ridiculous this was. An argument with quiet voices to avoid waking the sleeping babe.
“I think I’ll be fine,” Tessa said simply, her magic now drifting across the books and papers.
“Forgive me for not being okay with youthinkingyou’ll be fine,” Theon said flatly.
