Page 136 of A Vow of Shadow and Blood

I shrug. “Almost…sort of, but I got caught. I did get to the gate, though.”

He laughs. “We might as well start thinking of a new plan.”

“What if there were someone who could help us?”

He stares at me for a long moment.

“Then maybe we might stand a chance. But even if we do, it’s going to be dangerous. I have connections there, but they may not honor your visit.”

“I know the risks, and I’m going.”

“No.” Ajax walks away from where Finn and I are standing in the middle of the training room to retrieve his shirt from the floor.

“You haven’t even listened to the plan.” I follow him but have to wait as he uses his shirt as a cloth to wipe down his chest and forehead. I turn to find Finn’s eyes sliding down Ajax’s rippled abs, and I roll my eyes. Is there anyone he doesn’t want to sleep with? “Ajax—”

“I’m sorry, Red, but Karius will kill me if I help you and lover-boy escape the palace. I’m not getting involved.”

I fold my arms across my chest. He tries to walk past to leave, but I step into his path.

“I thought we were friends?”

As soon as the words are out, I realize that I actually mean them. His features soften at my words, and for a second, I think I have him.

“We are, and if it were anything else, I would be there in a heartbeat, but this is dangerous and just plain stupid.”

“Even if it could stop an entire war?”

He blows out a breath.

“Karius has a plan.”

I laugh at this and shake my head.

“Yeah, and how’s that working out?” I pause. “This could be the thing that stops the entire war, Ajax.”

“No.”

Anger courses through me, and I feel it warming my veins, a feeling I haven’t experienced in a while. I feel Athriel’s presence simmering inside me, and I fight against its pull, knowing that I will lose control if I don’t. I may disagree with Ajax, but I have no desire to hurt him. He’s my friend.

Stop,I command, and I feel Athriel’s anger simmer instantly.

“Adina?”

I’m suddenly pulled back to reality by Ajax’s voice and feel the soft touch of his hand on my arm.

“Are you ok?”

My brows knit in confusion until I feel the warm sting of tears blurring my eyes. I wipe them away angrily.

“I’m fine. You can choose to help us or not, but we’re going,” I say. I spin on my heel and find Finn watching me like I’ve lost my mind. He looks between me and Ajax, and I can tell that he’s expecting him to punish me or hurt me, but Ajax isn’t like other vampires. In fact, none of the royal guard are. Angry as I may have made them over the time I’ve been here, not one of them has brought harm to me since I left that dungeon.

“Finn, come on.”

Before we can leave, Ajax sweeps into my path, blocking my way to the door.

“Move.”

He shakes his head. His eyes set with determination.