KAI

The sky was the color of iron. Not quite night, not yet morning. It was just that cold, silver hour when the world holds its breath.

The courtyard below me was alive with movement, steel glinting in the torchlight, and witches whispering in circles as their palms glowed faintly. I stood at the balcony rail with my armor half-buckled, trying to steady the rhythm of my heart.

It should have been easy to command and direct, and prepare for battle. That’s what I was born into. But nothing ...