Damon's POV

The training grounds were empty except for the two of us.

I stood in the center of the clearing, my arms crossed over my chest, watching Hope as she paced back and forth like a caged animal. Her dark hair, so much like Aria's, was pulled back in a messy braid that had started to come loose during our warm-up exercises. Sweat dampened her temple, and her green eyes, eyes that reminded me of forests after rain, blazed with frustration.

She had my height, nearly matching me now that ...