Page 19 of Axis of Fire

Back straight.

One arm raised.

A second passed.

Then a white surge shot from his hand.

The sky trembled—

as it absorbed the spark.

My mouth fell open.

As the shock settled, my mind snapped back—

replaying everything.

The psychiatric ward.

The conversation.

Until—

Angela.

Her last look.

Her lifeless eyes.

My body shuddered.

“Don’t even think about releasing that damn fire while you’re in my arms,” Airis muttered through clenched teeth.

I turned to him, irritation flashing in my eyes.

“Then let me go.”

“Illariana, I don’t think—” Mr. Shiford began, but Airis’s lips twitched in a brief smile.

“As you wish.”

The next second, I was on the grass.

I let out an annoyed breath and tried to stand—

and froze.

My legs didn’t respond.

Worse—

I couldn’t feel them at all.

“What the hell?”

I looked at Mr. Shiford.

“Don’t tell me I’ve lost the ability to walk because of the fire.”