Page 17 of Axis of Fire

Wait.

I glanced down at my body again.

This idiot was carrying me.

And doing it without any visible effort.

“You’re absolutely unbearable,” Santa muttered, then looked at me, meeting my eyes.

“You’re alive. And you’re exactly where you belong.”

“What? Exactly where I belong?” I narrowed my eyes.

“Don’t tell me there’s a psychiatric facility behind those gates—”

Airis scoffed.

“She’s not only unstable, she’s impressively stupid.”

Now it was my turn.

Our eyes locked.

I wanted him to understand—I wasn’t someone who could be intimidated.

“You know, I barely know you,” I began.

“And you barely know me.”

“But in just a few minutes, I’ve already figured out exactly what kind of idiot you are.”

“Idiot?” he repeated, one brow lifting.

“That’s your way of thanking me for saving your life?”

“Saving me from what?” I frowned, refusing to back down.

Not for a second.

“From the fiery cage you trapped yourself in,” he said, raising his brows slightly—as if I were a child.

“You were seconds away from burning alive.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I shot back.

“Maybe you’re the stupid one—completely out of control. Especially when it comes to the nonsense that comes out of that—”

My gaze flicked to his lips.

Damn.

Way too distracting.

I forced myself to look back into his eyes.

“—mouth of yours.”

A crack of thunder tore through the clear sky.