Vengeance

Chapter 5

We traveled nonstop and made it to Axel's place in six days. We were exhausted and barely able to stay upright. All three of us were eager to sleep, eat and rest anywhere. The hunger and exhaustion distracted us enough that we didn't notice the ominous feeling hanging over the place. We didn't even notice the extra set of footprints leading up to the house.

I knocked on the door, my voice barely above a whisper, I was so exhausted. "Axel? Axel, let us in."

I wasn't so quiet that Axel wouldn't be able to hear me, especially if he was a trained soldier, and I knew Axel should be home by now. When he didn't answer, I narrowed my eyes. He would have no reason to ignore us.

I suddenly felt the stiff air, and one glance at my guards revealed that they sensed it as well. All three of us tensed. We had already made a mistake by giving away our position and making it clear we meant to be here.

No noise came from the house, and I exchanged uncertain looks with Atticus and Jadis. I tried turning the handle on the door and found it unlocked. At this point, I had become more wary and uncertain. My pulse began to quicken.

I slowly opened the door and took a step inside, my eyes searching. I gritted my teeth when I noticed a blood trail on the floor. It was thick and must've come from a large wound. I wondered if Axel had killed someone.

I watched Atticus carefully as he moved forward and crouched to observe the trail of blood. He followed it with his eyes through a hallway and under a closed door at the end. Whoever was injured or whoever did the injuring might still be in the house.

"That's Axel's bedroom," Jadis murmured, barely loud enough to hear as she moved forward to accompany Atticus. "And there's only one trail. It must've been a surprise attack."

"The princess needs to be kept safe," Atticus kept his eyes fixed on the door, and Jadis nodded. It was clear they were remembering their training from Zucar, the years of information and responses drilled into them taking over in the moment of danger. "Let's retreat. Axel is not our main priority."

"No," I kept my voice firm. "I want to know what happened."

I knew it was selfish, and I knew I shouldn't be so concerned for Axel, but he had helped us. Even though he was an Earthling, I knew he would've only attacked someone if they were a threat to him. So if the blood wasn't somebody else's, then it was his own, and if there was any chance we could help him, I wanted to take it.

"Princess, we need to—"

"One guard with me is enough. The other can go and find out what happened."

They exchanged glances before Atticus reluctantly moved forward. I established a mind link with him, and he shot me a quick sour glance before accepting my action without protest. I knew he didn't want me picking up on any of his thoughts, but it was best to be able to communicate quickly.

"Let's retreat, Your Highness," Jadis interrupted my thoughts, nudging me toward the door as she protected my back. "He can tell us what he finds while you're at a safe distance."

I reluctantly left, stepping outside and waiting on the porch. I kept my eyes focused on the doorway while Jadis did slow sweeps with her eyes, watching our surroundings. Their training had awoken and they were no longer so tired, but I couldn't say the same for me. My mind was still a little foggy and I had to fight myself not to sit down on the porch right there.

I tapped my foot impatiently, waiting for the news. My head shot up when I felt Atticus's emotions spike. He must've found something. I could feel him moving around through the link, searching the room. A few seconds later, I heard his voice.