Page 340 of Axis of Fire

My gaze drifted to Stasia.

Lost in her own thoughts.

She looked every bit as lonely as I felt.

Especially now that Tarven was no longer someone she could lean on.

And in many ways, we were alike.

Two anomalies better off hidden from the world.

“You know,” I said, meeting her healing-green eyes, “I think your visions are a lot more real than I wanted to admit.”

A small smile touched my lips.

“I'd be glad to have someone here I can genuinely trust.”

Unlike me, Stasia had always been more open.

More willing to let people in.

The moment my confession left my mouth, she let out a snort of laughter and covered her mouth with her hand.

My brows shot up.

“What?”

“Damn it.” She laughed. “You and Airis are exactly the same.”

I was already preparing to object, but she continued.

“Our friendship became official the day we met. You don't need to break every bone in your body trying to make it official all over again.”

I looked away.

“Am I really that terrible at talking to people?”

“Yes,” Stasia answered immediately.

“You're unbelievably bad at it.”

The smile in her voice was impossible to miss.

A comfortable silence settled between us afterward.

I wished the same peace would settle somewhere inside me.

That Airis would finally leave my thoughts.

Instead, every passing second seemed to feed the fire inside them.

I sighed.

Remembering the game Dwayne used to make me play.

Count to five.

Alright.