Page 108 of Axis of Fire

“They just aren’t meant for you,” Airis’s voice came from behind me as he slowly walked closer. “You two finished training already?”

“Yeah.” Tarven nodded, glancing at Stasia. “I think we should move to the open arena before she accidentally poisons me.”

Stasia merely shrugged.

“But I need to talk to you for a minute,” Tarven added, motioning for Airis to follow him.

And before leaving, the arrogant asshole assigned as my mentor tossed over his shoulder:

“I’m leaving you alone for five minutes. Try not to burn the place down, Fireling.”

He didn’t even look at me before heading toward Tarven.

“Yeah... you seriously got unlucky with your mentor,” Stasia said, crossing her arms. “I’ve known Tarven since I was twelve, and when they said I’d need a mentor, he volunteered immediately.”

She sighed, and my attention sharpened instantly.

Airis was over a hundred years old, so how old was Tarven supposed to be?

And Stasia, if she’d known him since she was twelve?

They all looked young.

Like we were the same age.

But could I even ask something like that?

“Want to know what they’re talking about?” Stasia asked, her eyes fixed on the guys.

I gave her a questioning look.

“You can hear things from far away?” I asked immediately.

Stasia laughed softly.

“No. I haven’t trained my mental abilities yet,” she replied, a warm smile spreading across her face. “Tarven found out from the Oracle this morning that one of Harold Moss’s spies will enter Istmond this year, so everyone’s supposed to stay alert.”

I exhaled heavily, glancing toward Airis.

His expression seemed to darken with every passing second, and every so often his gaze flicked toward me.

“Shit,” I muttered quietly. “Perfect. As if he didn’t already suspect me enough.”

“They’ll suspect all of us.”

“Probably not you. You’ve known Tarven for a long time,” I pointed out, still unsure whether asking her age would be appropriate.

“And who knows?” Stasia shrugged. “Maybe the spy took my appearance to trick Tarven.”

Then she looked at me more closely.

“You’re from Plaraarus, right?” she asked.

Then immediately smacked a hand against her forehead with a grin.

“Wait. Obviously. You said you’re a fire mage.”

I frowned.