Page 76 of Axis of Fire

Not releasing.

Just...

reminding me who was in control.

“Talk.”

No pressure.

But somehow, that only made it worse.

“They... came up with a way to train me.”

A pause.

He didn’t move.

I could barely even hear him breathing.

Only feel the warmth of his body.

Too close.

“What? How?”

A flicker of surprise slipped into his voice.

For a second.

Then it vanished.

“I didn’t want to say...” I looked away.

“I thought you’d laugh.”

His grip on my wrists loosened.

Just slightly.

But I felt it.

“Go on.”

His thumb slid slowly beneath my chin, forcing me to look at him again.

And this time...

he didn’t pull away.

His fingers lingered at my throat.

Too calm.

Too... long.

Like he was watching.

Not my words.