Franklin fidgeted, drummed his thumb against his thigh, moved his feet on the car floor, leaned against the window only to straighten a few seconds later.
"For fuck's sake.You're like a squirmy toddler."Elvin glared at him from the driver's seat.
They were parked down the street from Axar's house and had been for over an hour.Franklin was going insane.
"There."Elvin tensed as one room after the other had their lights switched off.
"Let's go."
"No."Elvin reached over the center console to pull Franklin's hand off the door handle."They're not asleep yet."
Franklin let out a low, menacing growl.
"You can snarl all you want.We still need to be careful."
Franklin cut the sound off.Elvin was right.Simply because someone switched the lights off didn't mean they were asleep."Maybe Neoma has told him we're here."
Elvin nodded."If she's real."
Was she?He wasn't sure what to believe.
They waited for half an hour, and it was the longest half hour of Franklin's life.When they finally opened their doors, they did so as soundlessly as they could.Moving through the night with Elvin by his side was something he'd done thousands of times before.They were in sync, silent shapes blending into the shadows.
Franklin's chest vibrated in a soundless growl when he crouched by Axar's window and scented blood through the open crack.The blinds were down, so he couldn't see inside.
Elvin placed a hand on his forearm, a calming touch.
"Axar?"He kept his voice low.Maybe too low since there was no reply.He waited a few more seconds."Baby, are you all right?"
There was a shuffling sound followed by a rattling.The hair on Franklin's neck stood on end.Was that the sound of a chain?He looked at Elvin and was met by sharp teeth.He hadn't imagined it then.
"Axar?"Franklin did his best to keep his voice calm.
"I'm here."He sounded tired, and Franklin's heart bled.
"Are you okay?"
There was a prolonged silence."I'm not allowed to leave again.Neoma is growing agitated, but I can't...leave."
"Are you..."Franklin had to clear his voice."Are you chained?"
Axar sighed."She said she'd chain me to the bed last time I left.I didn't think she'd do it, but..."
Claws formed on his hands."Is it a bespelled chain?"He didn't have a clue what psychics were capable of.Could they create a chain he couldn't break?
"I think it's an ordinary chain, but Franklin..."His voice trailed off.
"I'm here, sweetheart."
"I can't leave."
His heart threatened to splinter."Why?"
"She said she'd had it with me, and if I ever leave again, she'll--"
"I'll protect you."If she came near Axar, he'd rip her to shreds.
"No, you don't get it.If I don't do what she says, she'll hurt Addox, and he can't take it."He was quiet for a couple of seconds."I can't leave Addox."
