Page 143 of Axis of Fire

Not quite sure how I was supposed to react.

“How?”

“I was subtly limiting the amount of oxygen you inhaled,” he said calmly. “Your body and brain would focus on getting enough air instead of fueling the demonic gene.”

I froze.

I was angry.

And unsettled.

And, against my better judgment, impressed.

What kind of power did someone have to possess to influence another person's body without them even noticing?

“And you think that's normal?” I asked, fixing him with a glare.

“In critical situations? Yes.”

I opened my mouth, caught completely off guard.

But Airis continued before I could answer.

“You need to understand how much responsibility rests on me. I'm used to acting the moment I see something I can fix.”

“And you need to understand that I'm not some girl you can control whenever it suits you,” I replied, forcing myself to stay calm.

“I'm not a problem for you to solve.”

The room fell silent.

“I'm not disposable.”

I held his gaze.

“And I'm not your subordinate.”

Airis said nothing.

But his expression said enough.

“I forbid you from affecting my body in any way.”

“Even when your flames are seconds away from slipping free of your fragile control and hurting everyone around you?”

This time, I was the one left speechless.

Damn it.

“I admit it was unethical,” he said. “And yes, your body is none of the things you just listed.”

His gaze never left mine.

“But you're impulsive. Emotional. You act before you think.”

The words stung because they weren't entirely wrong.

“Imagine what would've happened today if I hadn't restrained you.”