Page 339 of Axis of Fire

Because suddenly I realized where my answer was coming from.

Mike used to repeat those words all the time.

And I used to call him insane for it.

I never saw any logic in them.

And now I was about to say them myself.

“Nobody can truly hurt you unless you give them the power to.”

Silence settled between us.

Damn.

Maybe some part of me actually believed that.

“That's exactly what my mom always says,” Stasia replied. “And I've always thought it was complete nonsense.”

I bit my lip, trying to suppress the laugh bubbling up inside me.

Where had that even come from?

“You know,” I said, finally snorting despite myself as I covered my face with my hands, “I used to think the exact same thing.”

“And you're trying to comfort me with advice you don't even believe?” Stasia asked.

I lowered my hands and looked at her.

“You know, I think there's more truth to it than I ever wanted to admit.”

“Oh, stop.” She waved me off with a slight frown. “There's no logic in it. If someone wants to stab me, they'll stab me.”

“Well, if you stand there and let them, then yes,” I replied with a thoughtful nod.

Stasia stared at me.

Then shook her head.

“Let's just move on.”

But the corners of her mouth betrayed her, twitching upward despite her best efforts.

Like she was fighting not to laugh.

Unlike her, I remained serious.

A single thought had lodged itself deep in my mind.

I didn't want Airis to become the only thing keeping me grounded in this world.

I simply couldn't allow that to happen.

Because I was used to losing people.

And if I lost the only thing keeping me afloat—

I wasn't sure I'd survive it.