Page 250 of Axis of Fire

Joelle stepped toward Stasia.

I immediately moved between them, raising an arm to block her path.

Let her try touching either of us.

I knew perfectly well I was taking the wrong side.

I should’ve been trying to calm both of them down.

But damn it—

I wasn’t about to let anyone threaten me or the people I cared about.

And somehow...

Stasia had already become one of those people.

That realization had come far sooner than I wanted to admit.

“Try it,” Stasia said, stepping forward as well.

And I froze.

Having absolutely no idea what to expect from Joelle’s magic.

The sharp creak of the opening door suddenly shattered the tension in the room.

I turned around.

Eugene and Mr. Shiford stood in the doorway looking thoroughly unimpressed.

Beside them stood an unfamiliar girl.

“And what exactly is going on here?” Mr. Shiford frowned.

“You moved two insane, uncontrollable girls into my studio,” Joelle scoffed.

“Looks like similar people attract each other,” I shot back, meeting her gaze.

“Enough,” Mr. Shiford said firmly.

His eyes shifted toward Joelle.

“What caused the conflict?” Eugene asked coldly.

“Their existence,” Joelle snapped.

“This psycho smashed my flowerpot before I even had a chance to set it down,” Stasia said, pointing angrily at the shattered pot.

“Be grateful I didn’t smash your face too,” Joelle fired back immediately.

Yeah.

She was absolutely insane.

“Then try it,” Stasia answered without hesitation.

“Enough,” Mr. Shiford repeated, his voice sharper this time.