Page 203 of Axis of Fire

As if Airis was the one I should be worried about.

“And then Kharma would’ve noticed you.” Stasia tilted her head slightly, never taking her eyes off me. “Trust me, she’s not someone you want attracting the attention of.”

“Who’s Kharma?” I asked.

“A representative of Mataarus. One of the Strongest Twelve.”

“And she would’ve sensed me because she’s a representative?”

I raised an eyebrow.

Instead of answering, Anastasia only smiled.

Then, without another word, she smoothly changed the subject.

“We should continue this conversation somewhere else, don’t you think?”

“Oh, absolutely.” I threw my hands up dramatically. “Spending quality time with you and Tarven in a training hall sounds like a dream.”

Hopefully she caught the sarcasm.

“No.”

Her smile widened.

“I have something much more interesting in mind.”

“And Tarven knows nothing about it.”

I froze as a cunning glint flashed through her green eyes.

What if Anastasia was working for Harold?

“We’re going to the capital of Istarus,” she said.

“I doubt Airis was planning to show it to you anytime soon.”

A playful smile spread across her face.

“And while he’s away in another world…”

She grinned.

“…it would be a shame not to take advantage of the opportunity.”

******

As I stared out the taxi window at Magicslan, I kept catching myself holding my breath.

The city was enormous.

Bright.

Diverse.

Suspiciously clean.

“I won’t be able to show you all of it,” Stasia said from the back seat beside me. “We simply don’t have enough time. But today, you’ll get to see my favorite sector—V6.”