Page 187 of Axis of Fire

The kind who wrapped people in comfort without even trying.

The kind who made them feel safe.

Needed.

Important.

The kind who created a comfort zone that was dangerously difficult to leave.

And Airis had far too much in common with people like that.

Which was exactly why they frightened me the most.

Because there was always the risk of losing your head first—

and only afterward realizing you'd lost your heart, too.

“After everything I’ve learned about you,” Airis said, “I’ve only become more convinced that leaving you unattended is a dangerous idea.”

“And what exactly did you learn?” I asked, glancing briefly at him.

At the sharp line of his profile, illuminated by the moonlight and the fairy lights strung across the rooftop.

“That your close friend took part in illegal street races as a minor, that you and Gwendolyn are perfectly capable of burning down a garage—and someone’s artwork—in the name of justice after they betrayed Dwayne...” Airis listed calmly.

I clicked my tongue before I could stop myself.

“You can judge me all you want, but if I had the chance to change anything in my life, I wouldn’t.”

The comparison of Airis to a human blanket instantly vanished from my mind.

People like that weren’t supposed to get under your skin so quickly.

“I’m not judging you,” Airis replied. “I’m just surprised by how many secrets your life in Vuduarus holds. And by how much danger seems to surround you.”

“I can be dangerous too,” I admitted. “And if it weren’t for my friends, I would’ve proven that to the world more than once.”

After a brief pause, I added,

“The four of us are far from perfect. But at least we don’t pretend to be better than we are. We are who we are.”

Silence settled between us again, slipping comfortably back into its familiar place.

“You’ve got a pretty good punch,” Airis said, breaking the silence. “I didn’t expect you to know how to fight.”

“Gwendolyn taught me a few tricks,” I said with a shrug, realizing the smile on my face wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

“But your techniques are different.”

“I always preferred the easier approach. Gwendolyn liked the harder one.”

Another pause followed.

This one felt different.

Slightly awkward.

Charged with something neither of us seemed willing to name.