Page 43 of Heir of Broken Souls

The tree. The screaming. The blood. The hooded figures.

“When?”

Just one word from Knox’s mouth and she knows.

“Last night. I spent ten hours walking to Azalea.” Her jaw grinds. “Imagine my shock when I came here for safety and encountered demons instead.”

Hence the crimson and black blood staining her nightgown.

No wonder she looks so familiar. It’s why I couldn’t place her, why she said we hadn’tactuallymet. I had seen her sisters and her mother. The similarities are uncanny.

Axel leans against the door, rubbing the heel of his palm against his chest as if he’s in pain. Panic encases my body.It’s the bond…a real bond. He can feel everything she is feeling, and I think he’s just now coming to terms with the fact that he tried to kill his mate. And that he wasn’t the only one to try within the last twenty-four hours.

Axel has enough guilt over Ace. I can’t imagine what this is doing to his psyche.

Turning to Elysia, I can’t help but point out, “That vision…I received it months ago.”

“I did too. I saw it all and I still couldn’t stop them.” Her swallow is audible. “Believe me, though, I tried. However, it seems someone knows about the prophecy vision and wants access to it.”

Knox snaps his gaze to mine.Is that why they tried to take you this morning?

They’ve been trying to kidnap me for months.

He’s never stormed the city for you, though.

“Once you’re done with your private conversation,” Elysia drawls slowly, “let’s try and get back to the men they sent to take me away. My mothers and sisters died for this cause.”

My brows furrow. “What cause?”

“They’re after the prophecy. For once, you have something that tyrant needs.”

My eyes widen at that. “How much of the prophecy did you receive and when?”

Elysia rubs her eyes with the heel of her palm, exhaustion weighing heavily upon her shoulders. “Last week, although I doubt I have the full prophecy. I’ve only been receiving snippets. The archangels must want us to translate a few at a time.”

“You truly believe the archangels are still alive?” I ask.

“Don’t you?”

Knox slides his hands into his pockets. “Do you have a theory?”

“Not particularly. I was too busy trying to keep my family alive.”

Knox’s eyes soften. “You’re right. I’m sorry for your loss.”

Elysia’s hard resolve fractures with a small splinter of sadness. She blinks hard and clears her throat. “Thank you.”

“How do you know the language?”

“I don’t. I hear the snippet they give me, and when I wake, it’s translated in my head. It’s all very?—”

“Convenient,” Axel cuts in.

Elysia’s eyes narrow. “Have something to say,mate?” She spits the word as if it’s personally offended her.

Axel shrugs. The guilt he was feeling seems to have passed. “I just find itconvenientthat you’re the only one who can translate it.”

“I don’t. It means the archangels chose me for a reason, led me here for a reason.” Her lip curls with a snarl. “It certainly wasn’t for you.”