Chapter 32
Chapter thirty-two
Everly
I’ve been out here since the first light of dawn, the sun climbing lazily over the horizon, painting the training grounds in soft golds and pinks.
The air is cool and crisp, but sweat clings to my skin, dripping down my back as I move.
Senka and Lutin linger on the sidelines, their shadows a quiet presence.
I think they understand I need this space, this solitude.
Neither of them say a word, simply standing watch as I throw myself into my drills, my dagger slicing through the air in precise arcs.
The straw dummy bears the brunt of my frustrations, its tattered surface already scarred from repeated strikes.
I focus on the techniques Kian and Tristan have drilled into me: perfect form, calculated strikes, speed over brute strength.
My body moves on autopilot, each movement a desperate attempt to quiet the restless thoughts swirling in my mind.
At some point, Senka disappears, but I don’t stop.