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“Purgatory.”
Something sharp flashes across his face before he laughs outright, a deep, amused sound that echoes through the warehouse.
“Of course,” he says. “That explains a great many things.” He shakes his head, lips quirking. “And Zander never figured it out?”
I snort and shake my head. “No.”
Xavian smirks. “Figures. That mutt can barely scent his own ass from his tail, let alone something this subtle.”
A ripple of nervous laughter moves through the guards before dying instantly under Xavian’s glare.
He turns slowly, surveying the warehouse, the cages, the armed men frozen in place. “If a single word of this leaves this building,” he says conversationally, “you answer to me.”
No one doubts him, and all those present peer around nervously. I don’t understand his restraint. I don’t trust it. I was ready to tear this place apart to retrieve her, but he let her go, knowing killing her would kill me.
“Everyone out,” he says mildly while adjusting his cufflinks.
No one moves.
His gaze shifts about the warehouse. “Now.”
They scatter. Guards scramble for exits, prisoners cower in the backs of their cages, heads bowed. Within seconds the warehouse empties of all but me, Eagan, Xavian, and those that remain in their cages.
Xavian waits until the last door slams shut before turning back to us, then he gestures toward the far office. “We should talk.”
I hesitate only long enough to shove Alessia gently toward Eagan. “Don’t let her out of your sight.”
Eagan catches her easily, nodding once.
Xavian pauses, glancing back at Alessia. “She comes.”
I growl low in my chest.
“Don’t,” he says, holding up a hand. “If I wanted her dead, Kylian, you’d already be kneeling in her blood.” His gaze flicks to my face, something almost sincere passing through his expression. “I was against the war, Kylian. Against burning the Arcanum. Against hunting mages when they abandoned their posts.”
That stops me, and he continues walking, not doubting that I will follow.
Turning to Alessia, she cowers, pressing closer to Eagan under my furious gaze. She knows she fucked up, and she will pay for it once I get her back on my ship. With a growl, I grab her again.
She gasps as I yank her back against me, my trembling hands framing her face, forcing her to look up at me as I try not to let my fury take over. Her eyes are glassy with fear and confusion.
“You disobeyed me,” I snarl.
She nods frantically, and her lips tremble when she opens her mouth to speak.
“You will keep your mouth shut unless spoken to,” I hiss. “Not a fucking word.”
She nods again, faster this time.
I press my lips to her forehead, breathing her in like I need the reminder that she’s alive, that she’s here.
“You’ll forgive me eventually,” I murmur.
She frowns in confusion.
I don’t explain. Instead, I tug her closer and turn, following Xavian into the office, already planning how I will ensure she never runs from me again.
CHAPTER 27
