Page 273 of Axis of Fire

Between two gently curving rows of houses stretched a garden dotted with strange iron sculptures.

“What part of the city is this?” I asked, looking around.

“We’re at the meridian between P11 and R8.”

For some reason, his voice sounded colder now.

“And their full names?” I asked, referring to the founder’s children Stasia had told me about.

“Payden and Ruel,” Airis replied quietly, pulling both bags from the storage compartment.

He slung his own over one shoulder while carrying mine in his hand.

“For the next two days, you’ll get to know Ruel’s district—

The part of the city devoted to art.”

It was obvious his mood had changed.

And I couldn’t even begin to guess why.

“Are you connected to this district somehow?” I asked as we walked toward the right side of the curved row of houses surrounding the garden.

“Yesterday you said I’d get to know you better.”

“This is my favorite district,” Airis replied quietly.

“And I’m hoping it’ll finally make you trust me.”

I squinted as the sun emerged from behind one of the rooftops.

“What happened?”

He didn’t answer immediately.

Instead, he walked confidently toward the second house, painted a vivid shade of blue.

When he opened the door for me, silently letting me step inside first, I realized I probably wasn’t going to get an answer.

“Welcome to Amaryllis House,” a melodic female voice greeted us from behind the reception desk.

“Hello.

We have a reservation for Suite Five,” Airis said, pulling the familiar compact-like payment case from his pocket.

The receptionist scanned it immediately.

“Your suite is ready.

Just tap the card against the scanner inside the elevator, and it will take you directly to your floor.”

“Thank you.”

Airis nodded before lightly resting a hand against my back and guiding me toward the elevator beside the entrance.

“I didn’t realize the magic world was this technologically advanced,” I admitted after stepping inside the elevator, which looked more like a futuristic capsule than anything I’d expected.

“Magicslan doesn’t actually develop technology,” he explained.