_Chapter 22:
ALESSIA
The Elder’s words weren’t even cold before Azriel ripped me out of Axel’s arms.
_“Trial starts _now_.”_
Axel’s c*m was still dripping down my thigh, his blood was still on my chest, and the Council drone zoomed in on it. On _us_. On him still buried inside me half a second ago.
Then the first Council scout breached the door and Blackwell smiled.
Gunfire exploded.
Azriel threw me behind the gurney and shifted his body over mine, a wall of muscle and fury. His gun was up, barking shots back at the door. Asher grabbed Axel by the collar and dragged him down with us, leaving a smear of red across the white tile.
Axel’s face was gray, the bullet had gone clean through his shoulder and the blood wasn’t stopping. It pumped between his fingers in thick,
