Page 479 of Axis of Fire

Kaeron watched every movement with complete concentration, as though trying to memorize every word.

Then...

on what sounded like the final word...

the hammer stopped above Kaeron's hand.

Kaeron began saying something.

Repeating the same word over and over.

Pleading.

The boy ignored him.

Without hesitation, he brought the hammer down on Kaeron's hand.

I squeezed my eyes shut.

I couldn't bear the sound of flesh and bone being crushed.

I wanted to cover my ears too—

to block out Kaeron's screams.

Another blow.

Then another.

Then another.

The screaming stopped.

Silence followed.

My eyes flew open.

Terrified, I looked back at the dome.

Kaeron was already stepping out of it.

His face was deathly pale.

He wouldn't look at either of us.

But I noticed his hands...

They were trembling.

He stopped beside me and said quietly,

"Who's next?"

Pria and I exchanged a glance.

For the first time, I saw genuine fear in her eyes.

It caught me completely off guard.