Page 34 of Axis of Fire

“Or maybe she’s just cross-eyed and we think she’s looking at us,” it added, squinting.

“I can see you. I can hear you,” I said calmly, meeting its gaze.

Aars frowned, lifted its head proudly, and flew back toward the others.

“Who are you? And what are you doing here?”

“I’m Moirz,” the silver-haired one said, still watching me carefully.

“This is Louise,” he said, gesturing toward the blond.

“And that—” he pointed at the creature, “—is Aars.”

“And you?” Louise asked, his brows knitting together.

“What kind of magic do you have, if you can see us?”

“I’m Ria,” I said.

“Fire, I think... or whatever you call it here.”

Then I paused.

A thought hit me.

“Wait... can’t everyone in Istarus see you?”

“No,” Moirz said.

“You’re the first in twenty years.”

My body went still.

Confusion tangled with something deeper.

I had always been able to see spirits.

Even back in the human world.

Everywhere.

I just had to hide it—

so they wouldn’t lock me away.

When I came here, I thought...

everyone must be like that.

Apparently not.

“Who was the last one?” I asked quickly, clinging to the question.

“The one from twenty years ago?”

“A girl connected to Mataarus,” Moirz replied.

He studied me.