Lira's body obeyed, even when her spirit screamed.
"Again," Seren said, tone flat.
Lira struck the dummy—twisting, slamming, shifting weight exactly as taught. Her muscles burned, her vision blurred, but she didn't stop. Couldn't stop.
"Again."
She pushed harder. Blood smeared across her knuckles. Her breath hitched.
Still, she nodded. "Again."
Kael wasn't allowed to train with her anymore. Seren said it was "a distraction."
But Lira knew the truth. Isolation breaks faster.
A familiar hum buzzed in her skull—Seren watching. Listening. Waiting for her to fall.
She wouldn't.
When the session ended, Lira collapsed behind the shed. Fingers trembling, heart pounding, she bit her lip to keep from screaming.
Then a shadow moved.
Kael.
He crouched beside her, quiet, eyes dark.
"Why?" he whispered. "Why are you letting her—"
"So she doesn't touch you," Lira said. "So I can learn. So we can win."
Kael didn't answer.
But he didn't leave either.
And that was enough.
For now.