Page 39 of Heir of Broken Souls

Axel stumbles backwards toward the house, his face crestfallen and ashen at the tone in my voice. I’ve never looked at him as anything other than a friend—a brother even. But in this moment, I am nothing but his king.

If only he could see I’m doing thisforhim.

“Go inside,” I repeat, Axel shrugging off Lenox’s touch. Once he storms inside by himself, the front doors slamming shut, I turn back to the woman my friend just tried to murder.

“I take it all will be explained soon?” she asks. “Or have I really been given a bastard for a mate?”

Harlow snorts. “A bit of both, if we’re being truthful.”

“Have we met before?” Delilah blurts as she comes to stand beside me.

The woman turns her soft blue eyes on Delilah. “Something like that,” she says.

I clear my throat, drawing her attention. “Where have you come from? The battle in the streets?”

“That’s not the real question you want to ask,” she deadpans.

I sigh, and my shadows flick out, probing gently, silently. But something knocks me back, and my eyes harden. At her, at what she possesses. “You know what has to happen,” I announce.

She regards me warily. “Yes, but I’d much rather you enter my mind while I’m in a comfortable setting.” She peers down at herself, a deep frown marring her expression. “I’d also love to wash my sister and mother’s blood from me if you don’t mind. I don’t particularly enjoy the feeling it brings me.”

“You’re not stepping foot inside,” Lenox suddenly declares.

She partly rolls her eyes as she sighs. “I know, Lenox.”

Harlow whips her head to her former best friend. “Do you know her? How does she know your name?”

A muscle ticks in Lenox’s jaw. “No, but it isn’t hard to know who we are, Harlow.”

She scoffs.

Ignoring their spat, I keep my gaze on our newcomer, my eyes never leaving hers as she openly assesses me.

“Leave,” I order.

Delilah stiffens beside me, presuming I’m speaking to the woman. Surprise ripples down our mating bond as I turn to Lenox and Harlow.

The latter openly gawks at me. “You have got to be kidding me!”

“Knox, with all due respect you don’t?—”

“I’mnotasking. No one but me and Delilah need to be present for this.”

The pair, for the first time since Ace’s passing, find themselves on the same side. “You’re out of your mind!” Harlow snaps.

Lenox’s neck flushes crimson as he yells over Harlow. “I’m not leaving you alone! For gods’ sake, look at her, she’s covered in blood! This could be a ruse?—”

“Another one of Peter’s ploys!”

“Maybe her mind’s being controlled.”

“Or worse, she’s come willingly. Didn’t we just learn that there are people despicable like that?”

“Just let me handle it, Knox, you shouldn’t?—”

Silence descends, my invisible silencing shield snapping around them. They turn from yelling to banging their fists against it. Pinching the bridge of my nose, I turn my back on the yapping pair. “Forgive my court for their lack of manners. They clearly haven’t been broken in yet.”

The woman’s brow quirks. “You speak of them as if they're mutts.”