Page 277 of Axis of Fire

“But where I’m going to be.”

My brows immediately furrowed.

“I’m not a fortune teller.”

That was almost true.

“And you’re not a victim either,” he replied calmly.

But I felt otherwise.

I was afraid of weapons.

Ever since the day Alicia used one to leave this scar.

The memory slammed violently against the walls of the fortress I’d spent years building inside my mind.

My foot crossed the threshold of the treehouse Father had built because Alicia wanted one.

I still couldn’t get used to the fact that we shared the same mother and father.

Each of us craved the love we had never received.

But we had never needed each other.

And in moments like this, the supposed bond between twins felt like nothing more than a myth.

After looking around, I realized I was completely alone.

Alicia still wasn’t there—

Even though she had been the one to send me the letter asking to meet.

She had even postponed her transfer to Utararus by two days just so we could see each other here, in Istharus.

So where was she?

Click.

I spun around.

Nothing.

The instant I looked forward again—

Pain exploded across my neck.

Alicia stood directly in front of me, a dagger pressed against my throat.

Her movements were calm.

Her gaze unwavering.

She meant to pin me against the wall.

I could already feel warm blood trickling down my neck.

My breathing stopped.