Page 23 of Axis of Fire

Silence.

But this time—

I didn’t feel anger.

Or pain.

Or even resentment.

Instead, something small pierced through my chest—

relief.

And that made it worse.

I had always felt like I didn’t belong with them.

And I had never understood how parents could treat their own child like that.

They didn’t try to get rid of me because they hated me.

They were afraid of me.

And it seemed—

they had known from the very beginning what I would become.

I need to talk to them.

I need to know the truth.

“I need to go back to the human world.” My voice was steady.

“Already missing your cage?” a velvet voice echoed through the infirmary as its owner stepped inside.

Airis.

He and Eugene crossed the gold-patterned floor, their reflections glinting beneath them.

“I don’t remember asking you,” I scoffed, lowering my gaze to my legs as a pleasant warmth slowly spread through my body.

“Oh, unfortunately, you’ll be hearing a lot more of my opinions now,” he said.

I turned, eyeing him with suspicion—

those arrogant, almost corrupted eyes.

He leaned back against one of the translucent cabinets, arms crossed over his chest, making his already muscular build even more pronounced.

“Why is that?” I asked.

“Because Airis Kairos has been assigned as your personal mentor for the year,” Eugene replied.

Stepping beside Mr. Shiford, who looked just as surprised.

“Draxsan Ardevain accepted Illariana Arden into the academy without any entrance exams after hearing our report about Vuduarus.”

“And since she grew up there and knows nothing about Noveris, she’ll need guidance.”