Axel Light Trilogy: Wands and Shield

Chapter 25-A

Inseparable.

The word rang in Axel's head and would not disappear.

Axel knew that Mintridge had come to tell him more about his parents to make him feel better. But he felt worse.

'Axel, you haven't touched your food.'

Axel looked up and had just realized that he was at the dining table. His mind had wandered again. He nodded and gave Jane a smile and picked up his fork, forcing himself to chew some meat.

'Did you hear what I had said just now, Axel?'

Axel turned and looked blankly at Linden who was sitting next to him, who had apparently just spoken to him. When did Linden get there?

Axel thought hard, then he shook his head apologetically.

Linden looked worriedly at him, 'The Minister of Magical would like to meet you tomorrow morning. I will personally bring you there.'

Axel nodded and tried to swallow his food without choking. His throat felt very dry. He drank some water to flush his food down.

'I think we should let Axel rest for another day,' said Robert, looking unsurely at Axel.

'No,' said Axel, as he quickly swallowed his food, 'I'm fine...'

'You can rest tomorrow, if you want to...,' said Linden.

'I'm fine,' said Axel firmly, gulping down the water he was drinking, 'I just want... to get it done.'

Linden nodded, 'I will be here at nine o'clock tomorrow.'

The next day, Axel was already ready by dawn. He did not sleep again. It was not because he could not sleep, it was because he was afraid to. He was sure that the nightmares would come – not only of the weird dream of his parents' deaths and the hideous masks, but also Elliot's bloodied leg.

It was starting all over again.

In addition, he had new theories spawning as quickly as spiderwebs, especially about his father and Cyrus Veldor's friendship. What happened between them? Competition? Vengeance? What went wrong?

When Linden came to pick him up from his room, he looked at Axel worriedly.

'We can meet the Minister another day, if you do not feel that you are up to it,' said Linden, concerned.

'I'm fine,' lied Axel, forcing a weak smile, 'I can go today.'

He was feeling extremely tired, angry and confused.

'Have you had breakfast?' asked Linden, peering at Axel's face.

'Yes, I had,' said Axel, nodding at him.

They walked past the living room and Stanley was there, standing guard. Linden had a word with Stanley – Axel just noticed that they were about the same height and the way they interacted were more casual than the rest of the MaxPol had with the Commissioner of MaxPol.

Axel then followed Linden to the front gates. Beatty and Larson were standing guard and they had saluted to Linden, who gave them a curt nod. Linden then grabbed Axel's arm, they stepped just outside the gates, and they had Translocated.

They reappeared by the gates of the Capitol, in between the statues of the stallion and the ram. The sight of Axel had caused some commotion right at the entrance, but the guards were well prepared. They had opened a path for Linden and Axel to walk through. Axel just stared at his feet and ignored all the curious stares.

Linden steered him through pavements, steps, stones, tiles and wooded floors. Axel let his feet moved on their own and he did not even know how he had ended up right in front of the Minister of Magical's office. When they had suddenly stopped, Axel looked up and saw a door right in front of his face.