Page 151 of Axis of Fire

“We need to get that out.”

She was already slipping off one of her shoes when I immediately grabbed the hood of her jacket.

“Absolutely not.”

I hauled her back upright.

“We'll find a stick.”

“Oh, come on. I don't mind swimming in a pool full of blood—”

“Gwen.”

I shot her a warning look.

She sighed dramatically.

“Fine. Let's waste valuable investigative time searching for an object specifically designed to replace my hands.”

I rolled my eyes.

Somehow, only Gwendolyn could stand in the middle of what looked like a crime scene and complain about the inconvenience of basic safety precautions.

Together, we began searching the backyard.

My gaze drifted toward the area where the pool equipment used to be stored.

Nothing.

Everything was gone.

“How deep is it?” Gwen asked, leaning over the outdoor bar. “Wait. Couldn't we just drain it?”

“I have no idea how.”

I shrugged.

“I've never dealt with pool maintenance.”

“Can't the Raars tell us? You said they're intelligent.”

“Yeah. And right now they think we're trespassing.”

That part still bothered me.

I couldn't understand why they didn't recognize me.

Then—

“Illariana?”

A quiet melodic voice drifted through the darkness.

I froze.

Turning around, I spotted a Raar peeking out from behind a tree.

“Why so formal?” I asked, raising a brow. “How many times have I told you to just call me Ria?”