Page 11 of Axis of Fire

“I... I... did I kill someone?”

The emotions took over.

I didn’t want to hurt anyone.

I thought I could just hurt them—

scare them.

Get away.

But I never wanted to become a killer.

Another spark.

This time, the fire clung to my skin—

eating through it.

I screamed.

It hurt.

Hellishly.

Unbearably.

Stars burst behind my eyes.

Then darkness.

Then stars again.

As if they were playing with me.

I was burning.

No—

I was burning alive.

The anomaly that had once felt like a gift...

was killing me.

And at some point—

my body simply stopped fighting.

Chapter 2

Istmond

Darkness.

It called to me.

Drew me in.