Genesis Code: The Genetic Awakening-Chapter 146: Questioning (2)

Commander Axel moved with the grace of a seasoned and confident leader, coming to stand behind his chair and placing both hands on the top rail.

Axel didn’t know Jess very well. Aside from the brief encounter they shared in the capital during the demon general invasion, they knew next to nothing.

Of course, this changed when Jess and Caleb began making headlines. And while the commander had been digging into Caleb to learn more about the mysterious fellow, Jess was a low-priority individual until the incident with the Count.

"I didn’t kill the Count," Jess replied flatly, her expression revealing nothing but aloofness. "Why would we just go around killing nobles?"

"That’s what I’d like to know." Axel sighed as he drew his chair backwards and then sat down. Clasping his hands together on his desk, he looked straight into Jess’s eyes. "It’s going to take a lot more than just words to prove your innocence.

"Your partner already had an incident with a Baron once, I hope you’ll understand why the nobles are worried about their safety."

"Safety?" Jess coldly snorted. "Have you forgotten what happened in the capital just a few weeks back? What’s interesting to note is that no one is talking about how the demon generals appeared or how the knights were corrupted the way they were."

"I understand how you feel, Lady Jess."

"Drop the lady."

"Very well." Axel closed his eyes for a moment before opening them. "It is to my understanding that the Royals are investigating the issue. My Lord’s problem is with you and your partner, Mr. Zane.

"I am bound by oath to protect my Lord, and that is what I intend to do. Your actions are bringing unnecessary worry to my Lord, and I cannot have that. So, if you’ll do me and the duke a small favour, tell me where your partner is."

"And do what?" Jess raised her brows. "From what we gathered, you lot are interested in killing him."

"That’s where you’re wrong, Jess." Axel got up from his seat and moved towards the open window, both hands behind him and eyes focused on the setting sun.

"An innocent man wouldn’t be on the run. Moreover, my Lord’s intentions have nothing to do with killing him." He looked over his shoulder with a slight smile. "There’s a reason you’re not in a cell right now."

"But I will be used as bait nonetheless..." Jess returned the smile with a glare.

"..."

Axel had no reply for that. His duties were to the duke of this domain, regardless of how he felt about it. Before anything could be done, Caleb had to be captured. After all, the duke wasn’t the only one interested in Caleb.

"Tell you what..." The commander turned to face Jess. "If you can get your partner to meet me in confidence, I can hear his side of the story." freewēbnoveℓ.com

"And I’m telling you now, we didn’t kill the Count," Jess replied flatly. "Also, you can forget about recruiting him if that is your intent. He has no intention of answering to anybody he doesn’t want to. You think we can’t tell why the nobles are actually after him?"

The nobles may paint the whole issue as if Caleb were a monstrous individual hellbent on spreading chaos. But Jess knew they were only interested in his power, and for good reason.

With what Caleb did in the capital and his actions in healing the Princess from a supposedly incurable condition, any power-hungry individual would want to have him for themselves.

She wasn’t buying the nice act – not until they found out what the duke was hiding.

Commander Axel did not know what else to say. He really didn’t care about the incident with the Count, and as Jess deduced, he and the duke were interested in his power.

The catwoman was in their hands, meaning Caleb would not be far off. The issue was that they couldn’t keep this quiet. The bounty hunters were put together with the collective effort of many nobles.

Jess’s capture should already be known to the others.

’They’re probably sending their own people over as we speak.’ Axel thought silently, his gaze locked on Jess. ’And this entire thing bothers me a bit. There’s no way that man would allow his woman to be captured. Unless...’

Commander Axel knew something was up. However, he didn’t bother inquiring about whatever they were cooking. Caleb may be powerful, but with the new artefacts they acquired, his abilities would be useless.

The strong often disillusioned themselves into believing they were untouchable. Reality, however, was far from that. This thought brought a measure of relief to his nerves.

While he appeared collected and composed on the surface, he was actually worried. There was no real statistic on how strong Caleb was or how heaven-defying his abilities were.

’Fortunately for us, we are prepared for any attempts at infiltrating the estate. No one will be entering without us knowing...’ He thought.

Focusing his attention on the catwoman, Axel said, "Then you leave us no choice, Jess. Your partner will be coming for you. And when he does, we will be waiting."

The commander walked past Jess, heading for the door. He stopped right before the door, and without looking back, he added. "You’re lucky I haven’t locked you up or ordered my men to torture the information out of you. This is the only mercy you’ll be having. You have until word of your partner is received."

Jess didn’t bother to look at the commander or respond. The door shut behind the commander a second later, leaving Jess alone with her thoughts.

’Oh, you don’t have to worry, Commander. Caleb is right under your noses’ She thought with a slight grin. ’As for torturing me... Well, let’s say you made the right decision.’

Her gaze shifted to the setting sun that was almost gone. Right outside the door of the study, Jess could sense two knights standing guard and four more surrounding the entire study.

Night was almost upon them, but multiple and unknown forces were making their moves. The knights and soldiers of the estate were making their preparations, bounty hunters were resting, and new forces were making their appearance – all for one man.