Page 96 of Dawn of Chaos and Fury
“Axel? What’s wrong?” Theon asked immediately.
What isn’t at this point?he thought. But to Theon he said, “I need an update on a blood supply. Mine are almost gone, and…”
“And what?”
He sighed, rubbing at his brow. “It’s not enough, Theon. I tried to feed from Kat in my sleep. She had to use her magic to fend me off, and the babe is already taking all her energy. She doesn’t need to be expending it on this shit.”
“Is she all right?”
“Yes, but that isn’t the point. When are you able to come back?”
“I’m…not sure,” he ground out. “Things didn’t go as planned.”
“They never do when Tessa is involved.”
“Yeah…”
“There’s more.”
There was an audible sigh, but it wasn’t irritation. It was a palpable heaviness.
When he didn’t speak, Axel said, “Kat wants to talk to Tessa.”
“What? Why?” he asked, the surprise carrying down the line.
“We’ve been seeing Miara every week for the babe, and she mentioned some possible futures a few days ago.”
“Godsdammit,” Theon muttered. “The future can change. Visions are only possibilities.”
“I know, but she was pretty certain. Said we should talk to Cienna, which isn’t exactly possible right now.”
“Call Luka. He’s with her.”
“I’m callingyou,”Axel retorted. “My wife wants to talk to Tessa, not Cienna. And while I hate the idea, and don’t want her anywhere near Kat, she’s insistent. If I don’t come through on this, she’s going to take matters into her own hands.”
“She’s smarter than that,” Theon argued.
“She’s a mother,” Axel said. “She’s logical about everything else, but the life of our son? Logic doesn’t exist when it comes to a mother protecting her child. That’s what it’s supposed to look like. Not what we grew up with.”
“Okay. Just…” Theon trailed off, and Axel could practically see him pacing wherever he was, shoving a hand through already disheveled hair. “I’m on a timeline here. I can’t leave for at least two weeks.”
“I won’t last that long, Theon. I can’t get any blood here.”
“I know,” he gritted out. “I’ll send Luka.”
“He’s not with you?” Axel asked in confusion. “I thought you were going to find Tessa, and Luka was with Tessa.”
“I found Tessa, but they aren’t together. And I haven’t been able to talk to Tessa alone. She’s at the Celeste Estate. Rordan is here. Her fucking friends from the Estate are here. But everything else is going fine there?”
“I’ve locked in some alliances,” he answered, scanning the area to make sure he was still alone. “The Witches are with us. I think we have the Shifters. We have a meeting with the Fae leaders in a few days.”
“You’re doing well, Axel,” Theon said. “I’ll make sure you get some blood.”
“And Tessa? What should I tell Kat?”
“I’ll bring her as soon as I can.”
“She’s not going to like that answer.”
