Page 466 of Axis of Fire

"Oh?" Taylor smirked. "Not interested in getting to know him better?"

"He might get offended."

"I hope he understands that, deep down..." I let out an exaggerated sigh.

"...I really am sorry."

With that, I lowered my eyes to the map again and started planning the quickest route to our next destination.

Illariana Arden's POV

Part of my map was burning.

Tiny sparks danced across its surface, as though I'd released my fire into the parchment instead of the sphere.

The shards that had struck me stung against my skin, but the panic rising inside me left no room to care.

I had no idea what I was supposed to do now.

I couldn't even imagine where the remaining checkpoints were.

Had I really failed...

before I'd even begun?

I could blame Airis for this.

For the way he'd shattered me only minutes earlier.

But instead, Tarven's words echoed in my mind.

His verdict about my way of making decisions.

My strategy.

And I realized I'd just proved every single one of his points.

I really did act on impulse.

I needed to think before I acted.

The only problem was...

I had no idea whether thinking would help me now.

Giving up wasn't an option.

It simply wasn't who I was.

"What do I do now?" I asked the map quietly. "Where am I supposed to go?"

My fingertips brushed over the charred section of the parchment.

Strangely...

it wasn't even warm anymore.

Maybe the fire had been nothing more than an illusion.