Page 79 of Axis of Fire

Fine.

“I’m glad. That means we have nothing to worry about.”

“Except your temper.”

Then, slipping back into that now-familiar serious expression, Airis continued:

“Now light the flame again. Small. In the center of your palm.”

I obeyed.

“And then?” I asked.

“Then we’ll see how well you can maintain it while your emotions shift.”

“Go ahead.”

“Why did you say you wouldn’t visit your parents?”

My lips pressed together instantly.

Of course.

Not even two days with me, and he’d already found a weak spot.

But I wasn’t that easy to break.

Not for him.

I wouldn’t let him take that from me.

“Because they don’t deserve my time. Or even my presence.”

“What happened between you?”

I exhaled slowly, forcing my mind to stay clear—

keeping the thoughts that could hurt me at bay.

“Do you know what that place was where you found me?”

“A psychiatric hospital.”

“Yeah. And I ended up there because of my parents,” I said, forcing a smile.

In truth, things had gone wrong long before that.

Since the day I was born.

They never wanted me.

Not once.

When I got older—when I started to understand more—they began to fear me.

Then came my ability to see and talk to spirits...

And after that, they either ignored me...