5. Axel

Axel anxiously awaits a Fae blood delivery, overdrinks to steady his power, and braces against the temptation of a Fae upstairs. Tessa arrives wearing Theon’s coat, revealing Valter has stabbed Theon with nightstone. Theon confirms Valter’s plans: to Match Tessa to Luka, forbid training, and force Katya as Theon’s new Source. Tessa paces and mutters ominously, her sealed power (shirastone bands) pushing her toward instability.

Axel, Luka, and Theon debate next steps. Luka notes Tessa sought him the previous night because of the bands and intends to fly, while avoiding forcing her back to Theon. Axel reels at the prospect of Katya replacing Tessa and at Valter’s control. With Ford spying for Valter, Axel plans to avoid any appearance that cedes authority.

Upstairs, Axel enters his room and finds Katya relaxed with a book, classical music, and peanut butter. After he showers, Katya misreads his “get comfortable” comment and undresses, conditioned by Falein training to service Legacy. Axel shuts down the situation, covers her, provides clothing, and orders Ford to deliver proper meals nightly, asserting that she will dine with them.

He gently questions her about Falein, infers systemic coercion, and learns classical music masked abuse in the libraries. He promises that, in his space, no sexual demands will ever be made of her. Katya gradually relaxes, agrees to call him “Axel,” and they talk; she reveals Theon gave her a history book, noting her study of the Lost Language at Falein.

When arranging sleep, Axel insists Katya take the bed; she initially refuses due to hierarchy, revealing she has been sleeping on the sofa. They compromise: she takes the bed, Axel the sofa. Internally, Axel commits to staying in his room nightly, effectively becoming Katya’s protector amid Valter’s escalating schemes.