Page 201 of Axis of Fire

Her grin turned positively wicked.

“He’s never been very good at telling me no.”

******

We walked across the perfectly trimmed lawn while Airis prepared to open the portal.

Aars still hadn’t explained how he planned to determine whether I truly belonged to the world of the dead, but for some reason...

I desperately wanted to go there.

“So,” I said, trying to keep the conversation going long enough to lower either Stasia’s guard...

Or Airis’s.

“Have you two known each other for long?”

“Mostly through Tarven’s stories,” Stasia replied with a smile.

“Keep your distance from her,” Aars warned sharply. “If you do, you’ll have enough room to make a run for it and jump through the portal after Airis.”

I gave the slightest nod.

The idea sounded completely insane.

Which, admittedly, made it even more tempting.

“So?” Stasia asked, glancing between me and Airis. “Did you two manage to get along during your trip to Vuduarus?”

“You could say that,” Airis replied with a nod before coming to a stop.

“You should head back. I’ll transfer from here.”

Taking a subtle step away from Stasia, I spoke up.

“I’d really like to see what opening a portal looks like.”

“Oh, honestly, there’s nothing interesting about it,” Stasia replied, casually stepping closer to me.

Damn.

She really was being suspicious.

“Fireling, stay alert,” Aars warned.

“She won’t let this go until she sees it,” Airis said, stopping in front of me.

“Try not to burn anything down while I’m gone.”

“I’ll try,” I replied with a nod.

“But no promises.”

“Tarven’s someone you can trust.”

“Have a safe trip,” I said, forcing a smile.

Airis looked as though he were about to roll his eyes.