Page 109 of Axis of Fire

“I’m from Vuduarus.”

Surprise flashed across Stasia’s face.

“So most elemental mages are born in the worlds tied to their magic?” I asked quickly.

“For the most part, yes. There are exceptions,” Stasia said, studying me more carefully. “Usually when mages move to the human world for one reason or another.”

“They rarely do that, don’t they?” I guessed.

Stasia nodded.

“Your magic is tied to plants and biochemistry...” I thought aloud, keeping my eyes on her. “So what world are you from? And Tarven, considering he’s an earth mage...”

My voice trailed off as my brain threatened to collapse under the weight of all these connections.

Mr. Shiford had said people in Vuduarus lacked a properly developed demonic gene, which was why there was no magic in the human world.

At least not openly.

“Our magical abilities originate from Vuduarus,” Stasia explained patiently. “But people there are rarely born with a naturally developed demonic gene the way they are in the other worlds.”

“And if a mage is born there,” she continued, “they’re usually transferred to another world—most often Istarus, since it’s basically the heart of magic and all its branches.”

“Is it possible for ordinary humans to have a magical child?” I asked.

I already knew Mr. Shiford’s opinion on the matter, but Stasia and Tarven were directly connected to the powers of the earth world.

Maybe they knew more.

“No.” Stasia shook her head. “It’s passed down genetically.”

I froze.

I’d suspected it.

But I’d never fully accepted it as truth.

And if that was true—

then who were my real parents?

What kind of beings could produce a child born with both fire magic and the ability to communicate with spirits?

“I was born and raised in Utararus, the Realm of Light,” Stasia said. “And Tarven was born in Istarus.”

“Alright, Stasia. Let’s head to the arena.”

Tarven’s voice cut through the conversation, and I hadn’t even noticed when he and Airis had returned.

Glancing toward Airis, I found the same cold, unreadable expression on his face—

except now there was unmistakable suspicion beneath it.

Fantastic.

Just fucking fantastic.

At this rate, my throat was going to become very familiar with his dagger.