Page 482 of Axis of Fire

The realization shook me.

Not that I had time to dwell on it.

Our little group continued toward the final trial at Point Z.

I deliberately stayed near the back, leaving all the navigating to Azalia, who had somehow managed to befriend the map.

I still couldn't believe it had been interactive the entire time.

I could've been talking to it all along.

Turns out...

not everything in this world had to be difficult.

Lost in thought, I didn't notice Rosalie falling into step beside me.

I sighed inwardly, pretending not to notice her.

Unfortunately, she had other plans.

"Giving up Tarven as your mentor was the right decision," she said with a smug smile.

"Oh, absolutely." I returned a pleasant smile of my own. "I owe that idea entirely to you."

I needed to stay careful.

Careful...

and composed.

Throughout the Selection, tiny invisible creatures recorded parts of our trials—and sometimes even our conversations.

You never knew when one might be nearby.

By the end of the Selection, those recordings would be broadcast across all twelve worlds, and people would spend months dissecting every embarrassing moment.

"I'm just thrilled I won't have to watch my brother around you all the time anymore."

Rosalie, apparently, had forgotten all about that.

Or maybe she'd decided two girls talking wasn't interesting enough to be filmed.

"I'm glad your wish came true."

I picked up my pace, pretending I wanted to catch up to Taylor.

Instead, my attention snagged on Azalia's map.

Point Z was flashing.

Right where an enormous temple stood before us.

Its sandstone-colored walls shimmered beneath the sunlight, while massive crimson crystals above dozens of arched entrances glowed with an eerie light.

The Temple of Moroda.

It had no fewer than fifty entrances and imprisoned some of the most dangerous monsters in existence.