Page 60 of Axis of Fire

“We’ll have to sleep together,” Airis said.

From the corner of my eye, I saw him moving around the room,

but I still didn’t dare look at him.

“I’m not sleeping on the floor.”

I stayed silent.

“I sleep on the right side.”

Without a word, I stood up and walked to the bed, taking the left.

I didn’t want to argue.

Didn’t want to defend myself.

I’d already done that.

And it had ended with someone innocent dead.

Ignoring the fact that there was only one blanket, I lay down and pulled it over myself.

Then I grabbed one of the pillows and placed it between us—

a barrier.

So he wouldn’t be able to look at me

if we ended up facing each other.

Right now, I just wanted to be alone.

To hide somewhere no one could find me.

And where I wouldn’t be able to find anyone either.

The mattress dipped on his side of the bed as he lay down.

His scent reached me again—

persistent.

Almost... disturbingly comforting.

A snap of his fingers—

and the lights went out.

I exhaled quietly.

The stars scattered across the dark sky, visible through the window,

seemed to be watching me in return.

It felt...

unsettling.