Page 129 of Axis of Fire

“You always know exactly how to comfort someone,” I smirked, not bothering to hide the sarcasm in my voice as I turned back to the closet, trying to decide which clothes I absolutely refused to leave behind.

“You should probably tell Mike and Dwayne too,” Gwen said, pulling her phone from the back pocket of her jeans and typing out a message. “Those two might accidentally let it slip.”

I tossed several pairs of underwear and a handful of clothes into the bag before moving toward the shelves where my favorite books and photo album sat.

I’d started that album shortly after becoming friends with them.

It held the story of my life before they became part of it.

Honestly, it was surprising my parents had bothered taking pictures of me as a child at all.

Though I supposed they needed something to display for the sake of appearances—to make everyone believe they adored their daughter.

My gaze drifted toward the white desk covered in stickers, and I grabbed my art supplies from the side table: watercolor paints, sketch paper, and a case filled with brushes and pencils.

I had no idea whether I’d even have time to use them.

But I couldn’t leave them behind.

Drawing had always been my escape.

The one thing that truly relaxed me.

“Oh, by the way,” I suddenly remembered, “Airis actually complimented my attempts at controlling the fire.”

“Dwayne and I didn’t spend hours digging through the internet and inventing our own training system for nothing,” Gwendolyn smirked proudly, adjusting her high raven-black ponytail.

Gwen hated wearing her hair down.

It was always either a high ponytail or a braid.

Smiling softly, I pulled a pair of black trousers and a red cropped button-up shirt with short sleeves from my closet, deciding to change.

I still had no idea whose clothes I’d been wearing in Istarus, and the thought alone made me want to change as quickly as possible.

“And after those three days are over and you go back to the magical world… you’ll still be able to visit us, right?”

“Obviously,” I answered confidently.

I couldn’t care less if Airis claimed they might forbid me from returning to Vuduarus.

I’d find a way regardless.

“Airis said I’ll get a short vacation once a year.”

“I’d complain that it’s only once a year, but honestly, it’s still better than nothing,” Gwendolyn shrugged.

I had just finished buttoning the last button on my top when someone knocked on the door.

“Come in,” I called.

A few seconds later, Dwayne pushed the door open, letting Airis into the room.

I froze.

My eyes swept over the pink explosion that was my bedroom, and heat immediately rushed into my cheeks.

The way I looked and the place where I felt safest couldn’t have been more different.