When Tony told them what condition Lily was in, Axel sagged back, feeling like someone had just punched him in the stomach. "She's that bad..." he whispered, mouth suddenly dry as sand. Then this plan has to work... there's no time left...
Axel's head raised when he heard footsteps approaching, and his tail curled nervously when he saw it was Don Stracci. As the Don talked, his stomach tightened. He couldn't care less if she's okay or not, he realised sickly, but at least it sounds like he won't just hand her over...
"Don Stracci," Axel said, trying to fight the panic in his voice, "You said it yourself, you can't trust this Lupis guy... If you'd spoken to Lily just yesterday you'd know she's a good person! I mean... yeah, she can tell when something bad's going to happen, but I've never seen her control anyone's mind, and... and even if her body's changing," he glanced at Tony, "She's still in there, Lily wouldn't just lose control! We just need to find how to... reverse it somehow!" Axel looked pleadingly at the Don. "Please, just don't... do anything to her. If anything happens I'll take full responsibility for it and... and if there's anything I can do to repay you for protecting her, I'll do it!"