Page 369 of Axis of Fire

At the same time, slender poisonous vines burst from the ground, winding around her body and pinning her in place before she could regain control.

“I'm not the helpless little girl you tried to kill anymore,” I said, keeping Alicia trapped in the grip of my vines.

“I'm not someone you can destroy with the blink of an eye.”

I paused deliberately before continuing.

“I've grown stronger. And I'm only going to become stronger. I'll do everything in my power to make you fear me the same way I once feared you.”

My heart pounded so violently it felt ready to burst from my chest.

Fear.

Triumph.

Both surged through me at once, creating something entirely new.

My hands trembled.

But for the first time in years—

I didn't back down.

“I should've finished you off in that cabin,” Alicia rasped. “Then I'd still be living my perfect li—”

One of my vines coiled around her throat.

Tightening.

Cutting her words short.

“That's enough.”

Joel's voice rang across the courtyard.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw strands of golden spider silk creeping toward my vines.

I had no intention of fighting her.

With a flick of my wrist, I released Alicia, and the vines retreated into the earth as though they had never existed.

“You saw what that bitch was doing?” Alicia coughed, clutching at her throat.

Joelle met my eyes for a brief moment before turning back to my sister.

“I saw everything.”

Her voice was calm.

Smooth.

And unmistakably cold.

“As you may know, I'm responsible for several of the recruits.” She folded her arms. “And I'm not about to let some spoiled brat ruin my reputation in front of the Overseer.”

“I simply think recruits should know their pla—”

A familiar male voice cut her off.