Page 499 of Axis of Fire

We all turned toward the demon.

Its eyes were open.

Focused.

Watching us.

Not like something that had just died.

Quite the opposite.

It looked as though it had just awakened.

Illariana Arden's POV

My body moved before I could think, instinctively reaching for his burning—almost scalding—hand.

Seris cried out in agony as the two of us were slowly swallowed by the flames.

I couldn't let go.

I couldn't let the fire take him.

"Let him go!" Kaeron barked. "We can only save one of you!"

"No!"

"Ria!" Pria shouted. "We can't reach Seris!"

"Let go," Seris forced out through gritted teeth, his eyes squeezed shut.

I could feel his pain as if it were my own.

As though every ounce of his suffering had become mine.

"Never."

I tightened my grip, ignoring every attempt he made to pull his hand away.

The fiery vortex grew stronger.

So did my grip.

So did my determination to see this through without losing anyone on our team.

"Kaeron!" Seris shouted. "Grab her!"

I felt Seris prying my fingers apart with all the strength he had left while Kaeron locked an iron grip around my waist.

"Don't give up," I whispered through clenched teeth.

"We're all destined to die someday," Seris said quietly. "So why not die saving someone else?"

His nails dug painfully into my skin, so deep that tears spilled from my eyes.

"Just... don't make me regret this."

Kaeron gave one violent yank—