Page 186 of Dawn of Chaos and Fury
“Be smart. They’re cunning,” Theon warned as they stepped closer to Luka.
“I’m aware,” Axel said dryly.
“He’ll be fine, Theon,” Tessa called from the sofa, where she was studying some books with Eliza. Apparently she’d gone to her instead of Theon for help learning about Marks.
“You’ve never met Bree,” Theon replied curtly.
“No, but I’ve met Axel. He can be scarier than you when he needs to be.”
“Thanks, baby doll,” he said with a wink.
“Don’t be stupid tonight,” she replied, and he heard Eliza snicker.
“Kat, send a fire message if you need anything,” Theon said, ignoring both him and Tessa.
“I will, Theon,” she answered.
“So he can worry, but I can’t?” Axel asked, reaching to grip Luka’s shoulder.
“Oh my gods,” Kat muttered as he slid his arm around her waist.
A moment later, they were standing just outside the Dispensary District. Kat swayed, and he tightened his grip. “You good?”
“Mhmm,” she hummed. “Just need a second.”
“Kat—” he started.
“Don’t,” she cut in, straightening her spine. “Let’s go.”
“You know what to do if you need us,” Luka said.
“I’ll let you know when we’re done,” Axel replied.
With a nod, Luka was gone, and they turned to walk to the House of Four. It was still a long trek, but as time does when dreading something, he blinked and they were crossing the bridge.
He’d thought this dinner would be held in the building the four Houses shared, but they were greeted and escorted deeper. His stomach dropped when he realized they were entering Bree’s House, and his hand tightened around Kat’s.
“Breathe, Axel,” she murmured out of the corner of her mouth, and he forced himself to take several too shallow breaths as they took a lift.
He already knew exactly which dining room this dinner would be in. The same one he’d sat in while she’d delivered her proposition. And sure enough, those were the doors they were led to.
“Thank you,” he said tightly to their escort before they entered.
They were only a step through the door when Bree was suddenly before them. Kat lurched back on instinct, and Axel hissed, baring his fangs.
“Axel, darling, relax,” she said with a lilt of laughter. Those honey-colored eyes slid to Kat. “My apologies for startling you, poppet.”
“Bree,” he said tightly. “You remember my wife.”
“Of course, darling,” she purred, her gaze roaming over Kat, lingering on her belly.
Tugging Kat with him, he stepped around Bree dismissively. “Miara,” he greeted, a part of him relieved to see the Witch here. At least if something happened with Kat, she was here, despite the warning having come from her in the first place.
A warning she still clearly felt as her violet eyes held his. “You tempt the Fates, young Lord.”
“Not a Lord,” he replied, guiding Kat to the table, but he stilled when Bree tsked at him.
“Your seats are here,” she called, striding past him to the head of the table. Her smile was sharp as she gestured to the chair at her right.
