Page 248 of Axis of Fire

“Joelle, you could at least try to sound a little more welcoming,” Mr. Shiford said with a gentle smile.

It had absolutely no effect on her.

“You’ll be living with Stasia,” Eugene answered for him, nodding toward Joelle.

“Illariana will be sharing a studio with Gianna.”

“Why am I the one stuck living with three first-years?” Joelle frowned.

She didn’t even try to hide her irritation.

Meanwhile, I was dying to know what kind of magic she possessed.

Something about her felt destructive.

Powerful.

And fiercely independent.

“You spent the last three years living alone because we couldn’t find anyone compatible with your magic,” Eugene replied.

“It’s time you learned to share your space.”

With a flick of his hand, the half-open door Joelle had been holding swung fully open, revealing a bright, spacious studio beyond.

“Go on in,” Mr. Shiford said warmly.

“Get settled,” Eugene added impatiently, shooting Mr. Shiford an irritated glance.

“We still have ten more students to place.”

“We need to keep moving.”

“Wait, what?” Joelle asked immediately, leaning farther into the hallway.

“Ten more?”

“For the Strongest Class?”

She didn’t even try to hide her surprise.

“There will be two Strongest Classes this year,” Mr. Shiford said with a smile.

“And now we really should get going.”

“Try being nice, if possible,” Eugene muttered before the two men disappeared down the corridor.

******

Since my roommate still hadn’t arrived, I decided to take advantage of the situation and claimed the left side of the room for myself—closer to the bathroom and tucked beneath the deepest shadows.

The right side felt far too bright.

Besides the two beds and the bathroom door, the room also had a large window with a wide windowsill that someone could easily curl up on.

There were two small wardrobes.

Two dressers.