Page 383 of Axis of Fire

Then Eugene's attention shifted to Taylor.

His eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly.

“Your observational skills are impressive,” he said. “You recognized the trap immediately.”

There was no admiration in his voice.

No approval.

Only cold...

Suspicion.

"And your control over your magic surpasses that of every other first-year assigned to the Strongest Class," Miloran added.

The two of them sounded so alike that, without even realizing it, I found myself studying them more closely.

The same lean noses.

The same eyes.

Even the shape of their faces was remarkably similar.

Could they be related?

"I disclosed my additional training in my file," Taylor replied calmly. "Beyond what your representative provided."

My gaze shifted to him.

Had his powers awakened early too...

Just like Kaeron's?

And why was I only now beginning to notice how many hidden connections surrounded me?

"Or are you simply jealous of my abilities?" Taylor asked, a crooked grin spreading across his face.

It completely shattered the image I'd formed of him until now.

Neither Eugene nor Miloran responded.

In fact...

The two of them had been acting strangely from the very beginning.

"Your Elemental Magic classes will last two hours, three times a day," Eugene said, meeting each of our gazes in turn. "We need to be certain you can control your abilities before the Selection begins."

"So every Elemental Magic class comes with a pair of healers?" Loretta asked, raising an eyebrow. Judging by the way she moved, they'd already patched her up.

"If you'd prefer," Eugene replied with the faintest hint of a smile, "you're welcome to heal yourselves."

The silence that followed somehow made the remark even more unsettling.

Chapter 39

Illariana Arden's POV

By the third day of training, it felt as though my body was ready to fall apart.