Inside a hollow crate, Axel recovered his balance.
The Icelander distrusted him more than he had anticipated. Clearly, he had erred somewhere. He'd nearly lost control for a moment. It could not happen again. There was a great deal at stake here, and he'd need everyone alive if he wanted to accomplish anything.
Which was difficult since nobody seemed to grasp just how unsafe they were, but that was his job. Wards could be corrupted, slipped past, or otherwise circumvented. Physical traps always were a necessity.
OutsideunsafeinsideunsafecrewunsafeworldunsafesecureitsecureITSECUREIT
Inside the empty crate, Axel sank his teeth into the meat of his forearm, the sudden spike of pain and taste of blood cutting off the panic.
In. Out. Mask on.
He dressed the fresh wound silently - just another one on a body covered in the faded marks of violence.
In. Out. Plan.
His immediate surroundings were secure. Rúnar could be avoided in the future. Contact with others could be increased, to prevent Rúnar from attacking again.
First, Elin. She had acted in defense of the crew and the mission.
Then, Amelia and Anne.
The others, if necessary. Perhaps an overcommitment of energy and effort. Perhaps not.
Then there were the foreigners, who spoke the language of home with such ease. He would need to determine what they were like, but on the outside they seemed admirably determined to keep themselves safe.
That was all for the morning.
Axel slept, and dreamed of nothing.
