Page 59 of Axis of Fire

Because I couldn’t control myself.

The flames eased.

As if they were meeting something—

something soft, something calming.

I knew what it was.

His magic.

His air.

He was helping me.

Standing far too close.

It felt like his presence had slipped beneath my skin.

Tears betrayed me, slipping down my cheeks as I felt the fire—guided by his air—sink downward.

Like it was returning to where it belonged.

Our hands parted.

And Airis stepped away.

Quickly.

Firmly.

As if being that close to me disgusted him.

“You didn’t kill Angela yourself,” he said, walking toward the dresser and pulling out a change of clothes.

“But your stubbornness didn’t leave anyone much choice.”

I bit my lip, unable to look at him.

“Let this be a lesson for you,” he continued.

“The first step toward trust.”

With that, he disappeared into the bathroom—

leaving me alone.

Even the spirits had abandoned me.

When Airis opened the door, the room instantly filled with his scent.

I didn’t even react.

Still staring at the same spot.

There were no thoughts left in my head—

it felt like the fire had burned them all away.