No metal was allowed, the material an allergen to the Fae as Axel double checked his knives, leaving them hidden behind a headstone closest to the entrance. “Move,” he demanded, making sure Lennon went through first.
Pulling his sleeves down to hide his glyphs he stepped through, the glamour trying desperately to push him back before it finally released with a small pop. The noise was the first thing that assaulted Axel as he waited on top of the stone steps, then quickly it was the scents. The market was an attack on the senses, hundreds of wooden stalls with even more shopkeepers screeching for a sale. There was so much going on, each stall a burst of colour and textures that drew your attention.
Reaching over, he gripped Lennon’s collar, holding him back. The walls were painted with anti-violence wards along every available space in the cavernous room. Each mark would constantly pulsate, the patterns darkening when they absorbed any violence whether it was magical or physical. It was a deterrent, one that worked to an extent. With the amount of people at the market, a single punch or two wouldn’t flare up the wards, but if there was a full-blown fight the wards would kick in and neutralise both parties until they could be removed. The guards didn’t care who you were, or what happened, they followed their orders so as not to draw attention to the doorways that were the Undercity’s best kept secret.
Lennon pulled out of his grip as they descended the stairs, moving quickly through the crowd. Axel pushed through, cursing beneath his breath as Lennon scurried far quicker than expected. They passed tables selling crystals, exotic fruits, as well as black spelling items that could only be found there.
High-pitched squeaking came from above, and Axel stopped himself from looking up at the hundreds of cages that hung from the ceiling, the pixies trapped weeping as they waited to be sold.
The thought was sickening, their cries loud amongst the general cacophony of voices, but Axel continued to chase Lennon. He brushed up against a troll, the Fae large without the usual glamour as he growled in warning, his meaty arm covering the bowl of grey sludge he had been consuming. He swung on his stool, eyeing Axel with distaste before returning to the small pop-up restaurant.
There was no glamour, the Fae that attended stripped to their original features. It was a place for them to be who they were meant to be, and not what they projected through magic to fit in.
Another turned to eye him warily, purple eyes flicking down to study the glyphs on his hands. Axel quickly tugged on his sleeves, not wanting to reveal what he was even if he looked just like any other druid. The Guardians were a shadowed rumour amongst the Undercity, a band of barbarians who even the Lords stayed away from in most situations.
They wanted to remain a rumour, not needing any consideration that could interfere with their duty.
The woman stood, a frown marring her pretty face. Her entire body was wrapped in black leather, an insignia stamped in the centre of her breasts indicating she was an assassin.
Of course she fucking was.
Axel quickly looked away.
He really hated the market.
The entire place made no sense. One stall sold questionable meats, and another hand embroidered squares that could either be framed, or used as doilies. One stated,‘Sugar and spice and everything nice!’and another said,‘Leave before 9pm, or I’ll fucking eat you!’
Axel managed to manoeuvre through a particularly rowdy crowd who were all betting for a shiny black orb and grabbed onto Lennon’s shoulder. His fingers dug in, hard enough he felt the skin beneath his nails give as he hauled the shifter back.
“Come here,” he growled, pulling Lennon with him towards the corner. “Show me where I can find the leopard you took from the bar.”
Lennon’s skin was damp with sweat, his eyes barely able to hold as they flicked everywhere but Axel. He had been picking at his lips, the edges red raw as he gestured to another stall only a few feet away.
As Axel turned, Lennon shoved his elbow into his stomach hard enough it expelled all the air from his lungs. Axel grunted, but didn’t release his hold as he dug his fingers in harder.
“You fucking…” A flare of awareness across his chi, and as he released Lennon a shadow passed over him. The Daemon from the CCTV stood there, auburn hair tied neatly on the top of his head. He had no horns, nor wings but his eyes burned red, and Axel’s instincts screamed at him to attack. “Bishop.”
The Daemon’s mouth quipped into a smirk. “So, you’ve heard of me, yet I have no idea who you are.”
Axel clenched his fists, widening his stance before Bishop gestured to the anti-violence wards that seemed to pulsate harder since they’d been standing there.
“There’s a reason we’re meeting in such a public place,” Bishop said. “We seem to have something you want.” He barely looked towards Lennon, the shifter not keeping his interest.
“Give me Sam back, or else.”
“Or else what?” Bishop said with an arrogance that set Axel on edge. “You have no idea where we’re keeping him, or if he’s even still alive.”
A roar erupted from Axel’s throat, and he ignored the glares from those passing by. “Fuck you! If you’ve hurt him I’ll –”
“What will you do for the leopard’s freedom?” Bishop interrupted. “What will you give us, Guardian?”
Chapter29
Axel
The house was cold, quiet when Axel returned. Which was exactly what he wanted as he took the stairs two at a time. He needed the space, his chest heavy as he walked the darkened corridor towards his bedroom.
He didn’t have time to think. He had to act, before any of his brothers figured out what he was about to do. The thought of a world without Sam’s happiness, his sunshine and light was something Axel couldn’t comprehend. He was fooling himself believing that he hadn’t fallen for Sam almost immediately after meeting him, his smile infectious. That was all it had taken, their eyes meeting from across the room and boom.
