Page 202 of Axis of Fire

Instead, he simply turned away.

He took several steps back before rolling up the sleeve of his jacket, revealing the rough bracelet fastened around his wrist.

The one engraved with the seal.

“That’s the Mataarus seal,” Mortz explained.

“I promise Ria won’t have time to get bored,” Stasia said as she stepped up beside me.

Her fingers brushed lightly against my elbow.

Damn it.

Crimson light erupted around Airis.

The portal was open.

Without wasting a second, I lunged toward it.

But Anastasia caught my arm before I could reach the light.

A heartbeat later...

The crimson glow vanished.

“Fuck.”

Chapter 19

“Shame your little escape plan didn’t work out,” Anastasia said with an exaggerated pout before letting go of my elbow and stepping back.

My body tensed instantly, my hands curling into fists on instinct.

Inside, however, there was only steel.

Nothing but determination.

Nothing but resolve.

“How did you know what I was about to do?”

Before I even realized it, my body had already shifted into a fighting stance.

“Everyone has secrets,” Anastasia replied with a faint smile. “Why would I reveal mine?”

I stayed silent.

Thinking.

What if this was Stasia’s hidden ability?

Mind reading?

Sensing intentions?

“I’m not looking for a fight with you,” she said calmly. “If you’d jumped into the portal after Airis, he would’ve noticed you immediately.”

I snorted before I could stop myself.