Page 505 of Axis of Fire

Tarven's voice answered instead.

He had stopped beside me without me even noticing.

"His magic released smoke."

Everything inside me went cold.

Magic only released smoke when the demonic gene stopped functioning.

And if the demonic gene stopped...

...there was only one possible outcome.

Seris was dead.

"Just open the damn portal," Airis growled. "Or I won't be responsible for what happens next."

I'd never seen him like this before.

Even Thari—the sky harpy who embodied one of the Twelve primordial forces—hadn't stepped to his side.

"Airis, that zone is sealed. There's nothing we can—"

Mr. Shiford had barely begun speaking when Airis ignored him completely.

His gaze shifted to Dilraba...

...then to Cosmei.

Somehow, Cosmei still managed to look almost smug—

until fear suddenly washed over his face.

"Either you send me in there..."

Airis's voice turned deadly calm.

"...or he stops breathing."

At that exact moment, I saw Cosmei's hands fly to his throat.

My eyes widened.

Airis had cut off his air.

Even Kharma stopped arguing with Miloran.

"No!"

Dilraba lunged toward Airis—

only to be blocked by a thick wall of earth that erupted between them.

I didn't even see who had raised it.

But one thing became painfully clear.

We had to save our friends.