Aria's POV

“Keep that stance straight,” Hunter snapped, circling around me slowly with his sharp eyes watching me. “If your feet are off balance, you’ll be on the ground before you can blink.”

I adjusted my footing, with a small groan. I was sweating, even though the early morning air was cold. Hunter's training was ruthless.

“Better,” Hunter said coldly. “Now again. Faster this time.”

He lunged toward me without warning. I barely had time to react, ...