Page 13 of Axis of Fire

“Exactly.”

He answered his own question.

The figure slowly leaned over me—

and just as daylight was about to reveal his face,

my consciousness slipped into darkness.

******

“Better move her to the infirmary wing immediately,” a male voice said from somewhere far away.

It felt like someone was trying to force their way through the iron gates of my sleep.

“Airis said she’s fine,” another voice replied.

They sounded... vaguely familiar.

“Eugene, I still think she should go straight to the infirmary,” the first voice insisted with a heavy sigh.

With effort, I tried to open my eyes.

Two glowing shapes stared down at me.

Silver rings framed their large pupils.

I had never seen anything like them.

The rings shimmered.

Those eyes felt unreal—

like something my mind had invented.

But the way they looked at me...

There was nothing kind in it.

No hope.

Only cold restraint.

Forcing my gaze away, I took in my surroundings.

I was outside.

The sky above was clear—

calm, almost reassuring.

As if everything was fine.

As if nothing had happened.

Two men stood nearby.

The same ones.