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“Not at all.”

She kept her focus straight ahead, and Axel clamped down on the irritation that prickled. She was slowly becoming comfortable around him when they were alone, but with the others, she was overcautious, despite his assurances.

Silence had fallen, the only sound their footfalls against the rocky ground. They were going straight to Cienna. Or that was the plan. They wouldn’t see Cienna until she decided she was ready, and they’d know that when a messenger appeared to take them to her. So, for now, they simply kept following the passages.

“I spent time in the catacombs of the archives,” Katya said.

Axel glanced at her again. “What?”

“There are catacombs beneath the archives. I spent time there. It is why it does not bother me to be below ground,” she explained.

“That makes sense.”

“I know.”

The corner of his lips twitched. “So modest, kitten.”

“It is not modest to state facts.”

Her arm brushed against his as they moved, and she snatched it back. But not before his magic practically jumped from his skin at the contact. He gritted his teeth, forcing the shadows to stay put. They might control the Underground, but he’d use the word ‘control’ loosely. He still would never comehere without full reserves, and letting his power out to satisfy its curiosity wasn’t an option right now.

Or ever, really.

“Sorry,” Kat muttered.

Axel silently cursed himself because of course she thought he was reacting to her touch, and he was but— Fuck. Why did any of this matter? Why did he evencare?

This was ridiculous.

A moment later, the passageway emptied into a decent-sized cavern. There were several passages branching off of it, but there was no need for Luka’s flames here. Large braziers lined the perimeter every few feet, and there were a few market stalls selling essentials.

Food.

Elixirs.

Weapons.

Maps.

Everything one would need to survive the Underground.

“This is it?” Tessa asked.

Axel glanced back at her. “What do you mean?”

“I expected the Underground to be…not this,” she said, her gaze taking in the cavern.

“This is one small outpost,” Theon explained, releasing her hand when she tugged it from his grip.

“There is no one here,” Kat said, following Tessa deeper into the cavern.

Axel slipped his hands into his pockets, rocking back on his heels as he watched the females take everything in. He could only imagine what they were going to think when they saw the central districts.

“There are a few here,” Axel replied. “They are staying hidden, but they are watching.”

“Why?” Tessa asked.

Axel shrugged. “Some have been following us since we arrived. They will report back to whomever they are indebted to. Others are waiting to see weaknesses they can exploit. Most likely assume you two are prisoners with the bands on your wrists, and they do not want to be associated with you until they know why you are here.”