Page 182 of Axis of Fire

For a second, nobody moved.

I expected objections.

Questions.

At the very least, hesitation.

Instead, Airis let out a quiet chuckle beside me.

Somehow, that sound steadied me.

I exhaled and closed my eyes for a brief second.

When I opened them again, I caught a subtle movement from one of the men standing beside Ethan.

Something metallic glinted inside his pocket.

And I would have bet anything they hadn’t come here unarmed.

If we waited, they’d surround us.

“Act natural,” I said, taking a step toward Ethan and the others. “And when I say three, hit them.”

We started walking.

Thousands of possible outcomes raced through my mind.

Most of them ended badly.

All of them focused on the same objective:

Get everyone out alive.

From the corner of my eye, I noticed Airis walking beside me.

Matching my pace.

Matching my confidence.

As if he’d already accepted the plan.

One thought suddenly crossed my mind.

“How well can you see in the dark?” I asked quietly.

“I already know what you’re planning, Fireling,” Airis replied, sounding almost smug.

“Just give the signal when you’re ready.”

“On three,” I repeated.

Then fell silent.

I forced myself to relax.

To ignore the stares following us.

There were far too many of them for eight people.