Page 257 of Axis of Fire

“Maybe you’re right.”

Yeah.

Right.

I doubted that was the real reason.

“Does your second magic only let you communicate with spirits,” Stasia asked quietly, “or is there more to it?”

Without realizing it, she mirrored my posture completely.

We looked like reflections of each other.

“Can we even talk about this here?”

The thought of someone overhearing us immediately put me on edge.

Especially considering how carelessly I’d already asked her about her visions several times.

Stasia smiled and pointed toward the flowers on the shelves.

If I wasn't mistaken, she was pointing at a plant that looked like ordinary grass, except tiny blue beads grew at the tips of each blade.

“That’s Northern Elizarus.”

The name meant absolutely nothing to me.

Apparently, my face made that obvious.

“When it grows indoors, it traps sound within its range.”

“How does it even do that?” I frowned.

“It releases spores,” Stasia replied with a shrug.

“Oh my God.”

“It’s not poisonous, right?”

I immediately straightened, glancing between the plant and her.

Stasia laughed.

“How could I poison one of my co-conspirators?”

“Well, considering the secret I know about you, it would actually be pretty easy.”

“You're right.” She nodded thoughtfully.

“Which is exactly why I had to learn yours too.”

I snorted, unable to suppress the smile tugging at my lips.

Silence settled between us.

Finally—

I decided to trust her.