Page 93 of Hell Fae Commander

“When you want to communicate with a certain mate, think of only that mate,” I told Cami. “You’ll eventually see the various channels in your mind. It’s an important skill that will help safeguard your thoughts.”

I was well versed in it because of my links to Typhos.

Had I not known how to open and close our telepathic link, he would already know about Ajax and Cami. Fortunately, he’d only sensed a mild disturbance because the bond had been through my Phoenix. And my animal only connected to Typhos when I needed to expel excess energy.

Very unlike Melek, who was bonded to Typhos entirely by Virtuous Fae bonds. When Melek had connected himself to Cami, Ty had very much sensed it because it was the same magic the two of them had used to mate one another.

“Try practicing with Ajax while I’m gone,” I added to Cami. “Consider that my first training tip.”

Leaving her to discuss it with Ajax, I disappeared and headed to the Hell Fae Realm to find Typhos.

Not exactly the first lesson I expected,Cami said into my thoughts as I arrived at the Hell Fae Palace.

No, but it’s an important lesson,I promised her.Otherwise, Typhos would hear everything I’ve been saying to you and Ajax.

Well, technically, that wasn’t true. My bond with Typhos was via his Virtuous Fae magic, not my Phoenix. Therefore, his access to my mind was automatically restricted. I could let him in as I saw fit, but I had natural mental blocks in place to stop him from going too deep.

Instead of keeping those details from Cami, I chose to share them, explaining how my Phoenix had never mated him, thus our bonds were different.

The only thing I didn’t elaborate on was the type of fae magic Typhos had used to bond me to him. I simply let her assume it was a Hell Fae mating link rather than reveal Lucifer’s origin.

That wasn’t my story to tell.

But safeguarding your mind is still a valuable skill, I concluded.You never know when you’ll need to be able to compartmentalize your thoughts.

An image of Vivaxia tumbled through my mind, her beautiful visage unwelcome.

She seemed to be haunting me a lot today.

Stupid fucking spell.

Cami fell silent, not replying to the comments about how it would be a useful skill. Instead of pushing her to accept my first training lesson, I focused on my other task of finding the Hell Fae King.

I engaged our mental link.Typhos.

I’m in my lair,he responded, obviously aware that I’d returned to the palace.

Rather than walk to his underground office—otherwise known as his lair—I ashed. It was faster. And I didn’t need time to gather my thoughts.

There was only one way to approach Typhos with this, and that was to be direct and to the point.

“Azazel,” he said when I appeared in the posh living area adjacent to his large obsidian desk. His lair was reserved for private matters, the area underground not even frequented by the palace Hellhounds.

Lucifer only came down here when he had something secretive to work on. I suspected his presence here now was related to the portal situation in our realm.

The maps on his desk confirmed it, his handwriting indicated all the places we’d been attacked and potential future weaknesses. A stack of folders sat off to one side, a feathered pen hovering above them with magic ink highlighting the sharp tip.

“New deals?” I wondered. He typically worked on those in another area of the palace, but perhaps these were unique.

“No, old ones that I’m reviewing.” His sapphire eyes locked on me. “Erebus caught the Unseelie responsible for the portal in the Marsh Lands. It was one of the bride’s fathers. He was covered in Virtuous Fae magic, yet has no memory of the attack at all.”

My eyebrows lifted. “Do you think he was a pawn?”

“I don’t know. So I’m searching for other potential fae who might not approve of their daughters being enrolled in our program. Perhaps they’re working together. Or maybe someone is using them. Melek is still reviewing our latest case, just to see if I missed any Virtuous Fae strands.”

“Do you want me to stop by as well, see if I scent anything?” I asked, exhausted by the potential task but also willing to take it on if it would help end all this madness.

Typhos studied me for a moment, his dark gaze not just assessing but also knowing.