Page 104 of Axis of Fire

My heart slammed violently against my ribs, betraying every word I said, but I refused to back down.

Pulling myself together, I continued:

“There are only two endings to this.

Both end in death.”

His silver eyes studied me carefully.

I couldn’t tell what thoughts moved behind them.

Or what I should be preparing for.

“Don’t play games with death, Fireling.

Sometimes all it takes is answering a question.”

What if I was death itself?

And what if the answer only brought me closer to becoming it?

“Either cut me,” I whispered, trying to sound fearless.

Unbreakable.

“Or ask a different question.”

But my hands, pinned above my head beneath his grip, were trembling.

“Are you connected to Harold Moss?” he asked.

“No. I heard his name for the first time from you.”

I prayed he believed me.

“Before meeting me, had you ever been to Istarus or any world besides Vuduarus?”

“No,” I answered immediately.

“If I let you live, would you become a threat to me or anyone else in this world—or any other?”

A laugh escaped me.

Nervous.

Heavy with sadness.

“You all see me as some stubborn, uncontrollable girl. Do you really think someone like me could ever be safe for anyone?”

I watched his jaw tighten, sharpening his already dangerous features even further.

Once again, we collided headfirst, both trying to outstubborn the other.

And it felt as though the entire world had frozen to watch.

“I can only tell you one thing,” I said quietly.

“I have no intention of hurting anyone.”