“So youdohave feelings for her,” Axel jibed.
I shot him a withering glare. “I saideven ifI did—which I don’t—she’s a threat to the mission. To my entire identity as a spy. I’ve dedicated centuries to becoming a member of the Shade—part of the most elite sector of spies for the Aurelian Guild. I can’t just give that up for her.”
Axel scoffed as he studied me, flipping a blade between his fingers. “First off, no one is asking you to give up anything. Secondly, why can’t you have both? A starboundandties to the Guild.”
I opened my mouth to protest, but he waved me off. “Look, I’m not saying you have to decide anything now. I’m just saying that you should be open to the possibilities. A starbound is a gift from the Eternal. Don’t throw it away so easily.”
I ground my teeth as I stared at Axel, his green eyes piercing mine. “It doesn’t matter. We are on a scouting mission—one that can’t be stopped. The mission comes first.”
“Fine,” Axel stated after a lengthy pause. “If that’s the answer you want to go with, then what’s our next move?”
I sighed, rubbing a hand through my hair as I looked up toward the stars in the sky. “Let’s head back. Eleana should behere in the morning, and we can decide what’s next after our meeting.”
“You’re the boss,” he finished as he pushed off the wall, and we both headed across the street, making our way to where the bikes were parked below a towering building in the distance.
It didn’t take us long to make our way across the Quarter. We sped past surveillance drones, careful to avoid being caught by cameras as we tore through the streets. Soon, we were hiding our bikes in the apartment building’s garage.
Tonight had been a shitshow. And if I were to be honest with myself, this entire mission had been a shitshow. I hadn’t been able to fully focus on Elion’s orders since I’d laid eyes on Raelyna Kingsley.
I’d never been this distracted, thisoffon a mission. We couldn’t afford for me to be off my game, not when I knew that we were only at the beginning. Scouting the Quarter would only lead to something larger. And for Elion’s plans to unfold, I needed to be at my best. Not pining after a female who didn’t even know we were starbound.
I stalked up the back stairwell, impatiently waiting for the elevator to slide open, not in the mood to talk as we entered. I pressed the button repeatedly, knowing it wouldn’t make it move any faster, but determined to try nonetheless. I thanked the stars that Axel didn’t say anything else as the metal doors slid open and we exited the elevator onto the top floor of the building, making our way toward the safe house door.
The keycard access couldn’t unlock quickly enough as I shoved the door open, already discarding my firearms as I crossed through the door.
“Beer and the pilaeria match?” Axel asked as he made his way into the kitchen.
“Fine.” I huffed the word as I made my way to the room and began removing the tactical gear. I removed the multitude of guns and knives I had on myself before stripping off the blackbulletproof vest and tossing it onto the dresser. Once I threw on a pair of sweatpants and an oversized Aurelite Guards hoodie, I made my way back to the living room, grabbing a beer from the counter before collapsing onto the couch and staring at the match going on.
“Want to talk about the meeting with the Remnant?” Axel inquired from where he sat.
“No.” It was a singular word as I kept my gaze directed toward the screen, watching the players fly across the field.
“Fine,” he replied. “Tomorrow works too. Want to talk abouther,though?”
My head snapped toward him, eyes narrowing into slits as I glared at the male. “Do I look like I’m in the mood to talk any more tonight?”
His eyes narrowed back, even as a smile tugged on his lips. “You look like you’re in aI don’t wanna talk about it, but need tosort of mood.”
“Pass,” I replied. Then, before I could stop myself, I let out the thought that had been nagging me in the back of my mind since we’d left her. “The episode she had—the nosebleed and nausea. I think I know what’s causing them.”
“Oh, so youdowant to talk about it then?” Axel teased, and I shot him a scathing look that had him raising his hands in protest. “Yes, okay. I think, based on the confirmation you received, that the Remnant are hiding markings—although I’m still not sure how that’s entirely possible—but, I would assume they are related.”
“The Remnant—Iver—he mentioned a serum they inject into those who believe in Aeternus to hide the gold coloring until they make it out of Solis.”
“But does she believe in Aeternus?” Axel countered.
I sighed, shaking my head. “I’m not sure. But she—” I paused, hesitating. “She seems to be searching for something . . . for answers. Iver mentioned that some angels’ markings are hiddenat the request of their bloodline. That could be why her and her sister’s markings were hidden—why she doesn’t suspect they were hidden.”
“But if they are hidden?—”
“Then at some point, the gold inking would try to emerge,” I answered. “Which is why I suspect she’s been having the headaches and nosebleeds. The level of pain I felt coming off her . . .” I trailed off, red rising in my vision as I recalled the intensity of the pain I’d felt coming through our starbound mark during the episode she’d had.
“You can feel it all?” Axel confirmed.
“Every stars-damned moment of pain. Of fear.” I ground my teeth as I met his gaze. “I can feel every moment and can’t do anything about it.”
Axel nodded in understanding. “One thing at a time. Let’s get to the bottom of what we need for our report for Elion first. You still have the drive you were given?”
