Page 6 of Axis of Fire

To disappear somewhere no one would ever find her.

Except her friends.

“You’re seeing enemies where there are none, Illariana,” the woman said, her yellow eyes with their narrow, oval pupils never leaving her.

Illariana noticed them immediately.

“Of course,” she said with a faint smile.

“That’s why my saviors are standing here with weapons pointed at me.”

She gestured briefly toward the people in black surrounding them.

Every single one of them was armed.

She knew a knife stood no chance against several guns—

but she believed in her power until the very end.

“That’s just for safety,” the older man explained.

“Oh, safety is wonderful,” Illariana Arden said lightly.

“So how about you actually stick to it... and let me through?”

The tall man’s eyes narrowed behind his glasses, irritation flickering within them.

“Miss Arden, either start using your head—

or we’ll take you by force.”

There wasn’t a trace of doubt in his voice.

“Eugene, what are you saying?” a softer, slightly concerned voice cut in.

The older man’s gaze swept over her, and the lower half of his face softened into a smile, partly hidden by his mustache.

“Forgive my colleague,” he added.

He looked sincere.

Illariana would have sworn it.

But she had always been too trusting—

and had paid for it more than once.

She’d had enough of believing in good people.

“What is this—good cop, bad cop?” she asked, tightening her grip on the knife.

With her free hand, she tucked a strand of her overgrown bangs behind her ear, revealing her face.

“Just let me go, and no one gets hurt.”

Anger was rising now.

“Illariana, we don’t have much time to get you out of here,” the woman said, pressing her lips together.