The next morning, I was back in the training yard with Adrian at dawn.

But I wasn’t alone. Cain was there too, watching from the sidelines.

“Mind if I observe?” he called out. “I’m curious to see what you’re learning.”

Adrian’s expression was carefully neutral. “It’s Kira’s decision.”

Something about having Cain watch made me uncomfortable. But I couldn’t articulate why, and I didn’t want to be rude.

“Fine,” I said. “But don’t interrupt.”

“Wouldn’t ...