Page 346 of Axis of Fire

And I had no intention of letting one of my secrets slip.

Miloran remained silent.

But damn it.

His expression gave everything away.

“You're a damn observer,” I muttered.

Even to my own ears, my voice sounded different.

Weaker.

Like another crack had splintered through the steel walls of my armor.

“And you're suggesting I leave his group?”

“Yes.”

He nodded.

Infuriatingly calm.

“Did she get accepted into the strongest group?”

I swear, if the answer was yes, I was going to ask Joelle to poison me.

Or maybe pay Alicia a visit myself.

“I don't know. She's not strong enough for that group.”

I exhaled quietly.

A small wave of relief.

“But her ability is one of the rarest among mages whose element is tied to Vuduarus.”

My body tensed again.

Maybe...

Maybe stepping aside would actually make things easier for him.

Giving him the chance to focus on his own sister.

“I could take over as your mentor,” Miloran said.

I stared at him.

Too shocked to answer immediately.

“Why would I do that?”

A voice suddenly cut through the corridor behind us.

Tarven.

Miloran turned around at his usual unhurried pace.