King of Darkness

XV

Sayomi

Nobody had seen Axle since two nights ago. When I awoke yesterday morning, he wasn't in bed. He wasn't at breakfast, nor was he at lunch or dinner. I thought nothing of it until he didn't answer his phone last night. This morning, I lost my mind the instant I realized he wasn't back.

All day long, I searched for him. I used satellites and called as many people as possible, but still no luck. My phone was dead by the afternoon. It was so much more difficult when he closed our bond and I couldn't even see through his eyes.

"Where could he even be?" I cried, pacing the room.

"Calm down, Sayomi, he'll be back," Kai sighed.

"You can't be sure of that. It's Axle, he'd get himself killed," Arietta rebutted.

"I've checked everywhere in Italy. It's like he disappeared," Chloe said.

Maze chuckled, "He always does this."

Kai and Preston exchanged a sly glance, one that ended in them giving a smile to one another. Lilly glanced at me, asking if I saw it, too.

"Pres, you're his cousin. Call his parents and ask where he is," she cooed. Preston shuddered at her touch.

"I don't think that's a good idea. They're probably asleep right now," Kai interrupted.

Arietta, now catching on, looked at her boyfriend. "It's only nine there, I don't think they'd be asleep so early."

"You're awfully worried about interrupting him," Maze said.

"Where's Axle?" I asked, this one more aggressive than the other times.

Chloe whipped out a small blade with a point fine enough to cut him. She held it to Preston's neck, watching fear overtake him.

"Perhaps she wasn't clear enough. Where is Axle de Fiore?" Lilly yelled.

Château de Fontainebleau, Kai thought. Poor boy didn't realize looking me in my eyes gave me unlimited access to his mind.

"Château de Fontainebleau," I said. "I'll be back."

"Dammit," Preston groaned. It was the last thing I heard before the sound of a vortex overtook his voice.

Shrubs lined the pathway of the chateau that led to the staircases. Two of them branched off the house, a large red door in the center of them.

I approached the door, slithering down the wood in a puddle and under the tile.

Holy shit.

Everything was lined with gold, from the ceilings to the baseboards and all the decor in between. Paintings lined the ceilings and were illuminated by the golden light of the chandelier. I read about the Renaissance and how beautiful the creations were—but this was nothing like I imagined.

"May I help you?"

Startled, I turned around to see a maid. She looked rather kind. Her eyes were the prettiest shade of brown, like a gem. Somewhat similar to Ari, her skin was a chocolate shade that glowed in the yellow lights of the room.