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His father stood, his power keeping Axel on the floor as if it were a boot planted on his chest. “I know you were waiting for your brother tofixthis for you. To be honest, a part of me was hoping you would attempt to change this outcome on your own. Instead, all you’ve done is once again affirm why you are the spare heir I hope to never have to use. How disappointing.”

Turning to Pavil and Metias, he said, “A portal has been approved. Take her straight there.” Jerking his chin to Axel, he added, “Take him with you. He can figure out his own way home from there.”

“Of course, my Lord,” Metias said, already on his feet.

“Come, Eviana,” Valter said, striding for the door. “We mustn’t be late for the meeting.”

He left the door open when he exited, and Axel finally let himself look at Kat. She was so still, eyes wide as she stared at him on the floor. He could practically feel her debating if she dared come to him or if she should stay put.

Shaking his head at her, he rolled to his hands and knees, spitting out a curse as the wound near his shoulder flared in agony. He’d managed to get his feet under him when he saw Metias making his way over to Katya.

With a snarl, a whip of shadows snapped out and wrapped around the male’s throat, yanking him backwards. “Do not fucking touch her,” Axel growled.

“We have orders. What do you expect us to do?” Pavil demanded, but the male looked nervous.

He should be.

Axel knew what would happen if either of them touched her. The fuckers had gifts of fear and panic from the Gracil bloodline. They would amplify her greatest fears. Axel suddenly realized he didn’t know what her greatest fear was, but he wasn’t finding out this way.

“If you lay a single finger on her, what Theon did at Arius House will be nothing compared to what I will do,” Axel warned, standing as straight as he could and making his way to Kat.

“We have to escort her—” Metias started.

“Do you think I am deaf?” Axel demanded, taking Kat’s hand and threading his fingers with hers.

“What?” Metias asked, clearly confused.

“I asked if you thought I was deaf. Was I not here for that entire conversation?”

“Yes, but?—”

“So either you think I am deaf and did not hear everything that was said, or you think you have some status in this room that makes you above me?” Axel said, his voice low and dangerous, because fuck. He was in pain and that just had him even more on edge.

“I don’t believe either of those things, but with all due respect, Axel?—”

“Heir St. Orcas,” he interrupted.

Metias gave him a tight-lipped smile. “Heir St. Orcas. I do have to follow theArius Lord’sdemands over yours.”

“Touch her, Metias. I dare you. Then tell me whose demands you find it most prudent to follow in this moment,” Axel said, a dark croon to his voice that had Kat pressing into his side.

Pavil shifted nearby, his phone in his hand. “My apologizes, Heir St. Orcas, but we were told to contact the Lord if you gave us any troubles.”

“The only order I have given is to not touch her. Have I said anything about interfering with taking her to the portal?”

“No, but?—”

Her hand still gripped in his, he pulled Katya behind him as he led the way out of the manor and back out to the car. He moved quickly, knowing she had to run to keep up with him, but he needed the few seconds this would give them to speak alone.

Pulling open the car door for her, he said in a low voice, “When the moment is right, call Tristyn. Tell him what is happening and ask him to help.”

“Tristyn?” she repeated, rightfully confused.

“His number is in my contacts. You know how to unlock it,” he said, sliding into the car behind her. “Hide that,” he added, nodding at the phone.

She quickly slid it beneath her thigh as Pavil and Metias got into the vehicle.

He’d put Tristyn Blackheart’s number in his phone after the male had given them his card when they’d run into him. Having the direct contact number for the head of Lilura Inquest was never a bad thing, and right now, he was thanking every god he could that he had it. He was also praying to those same gods Tristyn would be willing to help anytime like he’d offered, especially if it was Katya calling.