BRUISES AND BREAKTHROUGHS
Selene's POV
Six AM came way too early.
I dragged myself out of bed, every muscle still aching from the power drain, and stumbled toward the training grounds.
The morning air was crisp, almost cold, with mist still clinging to the grass. A handful of early-rising warriors were already running drills in the distance.
And there, waiting with arms crossed and an expression that promised pain, was Kira.
"You're late," she announced.
I checked my phone. "It's exactly six."
"I said six AM sharp. That means you should have been here at five-fifty-five to warm up."
She gestured impatiently.
"Drop and give me twenty. Let's see if yesterday's sleep improved your upper body strength."
Spoiler alert: it hadn't.
I managed seven push-ups before my arms gave out.
Kira made a disapproving sound.
"Pathetic. Again."
"I'm still recovering from—"
