Page 343 of Axis of Fire

That man was made entirely of contradictions.

Every part of him.

The first time you met him, he felt like frostbite.

A few conversations later, your entire impression of him changed.

“Begin,” Miloran said.

I couldn't feel his hands.

Maybe he wasn't touching me at all.

Maybe he was simply waiting for the convulsions to start.

“Relax, Anastasia,” Sulfur instructed.

“She prefers Stasia.”

Miloran's voice cut in.

Then—

Agony.

My body nearly launched off the cot.

But Miloran's grip stopped me instantly.

Tears sprang to my eyes.

“After each spike of pain, try to relax for a few seconds,” Sulfur said. “The magic can't work properly if it encounters resistance.”

Easy for him to say.

“Take a deep breath after every wave.”

Miloran's voice sounded distant.

“In. Then out.”

Without looking at him, I nodded.

I followed his instructions.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

Every wave felt impossible to survive.

By the fourth, I was ready to beg them to stop.

To leave the fractures exactly where they were.

I was far too sensitive to belong among the strongest students.