Page 311 of Axis of Fire

They never pitied anyone.

To them...

We were weapons.

Never people.

Ordinary lives had never been meant for us.

My stomach tightened painfully.

I hated them.

I'd known seers who had simply disappeared after crossing paths with the Novers.

And I would give almost anything to make them answer for every life they'd stolen.

A dull knock at the door tore me away from my thoughts.

Then came Rosalie's unbearably sweet voice.

“Stasia, it's me.

Come on, open up.

I have so much to tell you.”

She giggled.

Bright.

Loud.

Childlike.

Everyone believed that performance.

Everyone...

Except me.

I knew Rosalie Makris far too well.

I knew every needle she knew how to drive beneath my skin.

I let out a slow breath.

She'd done this on purpose.

She'd announced herself loudly enough for the entire house to hear.

Leaving me with only one choice.

To let her in.

Because if I refused...

Tarven would hear about it.