Page 504 of Axis of Fire

The demon had completely driven thoughts of her from my mind, even though I'd known all along she could be in danger.

Then I saw her.

On the screen.

My pace quickened.

"Airis, I can't teleport you in there. Not because I don't want to."

Dilraba's voice echoed nearby, but my eyes never left the screen.

I recognized the demon immediately.

Surrounded by flames.

The very same one I'd seen in my vision.

And Ria...

She was walking straight into the heart of the fire.

A wave of pure terror crashed over me.

God, how I'd hoped it had only been a dream.

"What is she doing?" I interrupted, stepping beside Miloran.

"It's part of their trial. We all went through something similar," Kharma replied, her voice carrying the quiet authority of someone accustomed to being obeyed.

She was the representative of the Realm of Death.

Rumor had it that Hell itself—the most feared and contradictory place across all twelve worlds—had given birth to her.

"No." Airis's voice cracked through the air. "This isn't part of the trial. Everything's gone out of control."

His jaw tightened.

"We already have one death on our hands."

My eyes darted back to the screen.

Ria.

Kaeron.

Pria.

Loretta.

Who else had been with them?

...Or were they talking about Aaron?

But Aaron was alive...

"Who died?" I asked quietly, turning to Miloran.

"Seris."