Page 288 of Axis of Fire

“Or new life.”

Silence settled between us.

The kind that feels complete rather than empty.

“This is my favorite novel,” Airis admitted quietly.

“And Wood is my favorite character.”

A faint smile touched his lips.

“This installation surpassed everything I imagined.”

“You're right,” I murmured.

“It really is beautiful.”

Silence settled between us.

I found myself quietly drawing parallels between Airis and Wood.

People usually loved the characters they recognized themselves in.

Did Airis want to rebel against the system too?

To become something he wasn't supposed to be?

Or was I simply seeing what I wanted to see?

Maybe this was just another way for him to earn my trust.

“Come on,” Airis said, pulling me out of the spiral of my thoughts.

Without waiting for me, he started walking again.

And, without thinking, I followed.

Chapter 30

Airis’s second favorite installation stood on a rooftop.

The building itself wasn't particularly tall.

Its walls, floors, and even the staircase leading upward had all been woven from thick ropes intertwined with brightly colored threads.

It was both unsettling and mesmerizing.

The heavy ropes resembled the bodies of enormous snakes.

The thinner, vibrant threads, however, spoke of warmth.

Of comfort.

Of home.

They instantly reminded me of my grandmother.

Not my biological one.