Page 110 of Axis of Fire

“See you around,” Stasia said with a wink before hurrying after Tarven.

“Nice meeting you,” Tarven called, waving without turning around.

“Likewise,” I murmured, shifting my attention back to Airis.

“If I end up with your blade at my throat again today after whatever Tarven just told you, I’m seriously considering sleeping in the bathroom.”

“There won’t be any need for that,” Airis replied, flicking his hand as yesterday’s targets reappeared across the training hall. “Daggers aren’t the only way I know how to threaten people.”

A faint smirk tugged at his lips.

“They’re far from my only weapon.”

I exhaled slowly.

At the same time, silently praying he meant it as a joke.

“Now,” he nodded toward the targets, “back to training.”

Holding out my palm, I summoned a small flame again, making it larger this time.

Though honestly, I was pretty sure it was pointless.

I still couldn’t release the fire properly or hit any of the targets.

At least not on my second day of training.

I learned slowly.

Everything I could do now had taken years of training under Gwendolyn and Dwayne’s ridiculous system.

“Picture the fire slowly separating from your hand,” Airis reminded me.

I closed my eyes.

I tried to feel the flame as something separate from myself, because right now it still felt like part of me.

Like it was stitched into my skin.

But nothing happened.

“You know…” I muttered without opening my eyes, “maybe I’m just not capable of shooting it. Maybe shields are more my thing.”

I waited for an answer.

But the moment I felt fingers brush the bare skin of my waist, my entire body jerked.

My eyes flew open—

and instantly I felt the fire leave my hand.

And no—

it didn’t disappear.

It shot away from me.

Landing about a meter from my boots.