Adelaide walked slowly across the village grounds, her heart still heavy after what happened. She found Kieran leaning against the old wooden fence near the training grounds, his arms crossed, his face stern and tired. The morning sun was weak, and the air was cold with tension. She approached him without saying a word at first, but Kieran knew she was there.
“You’re here to ask about what I told Leon,” Kieran said before she could even open her mouth.
Adelaide nodded. “Yes. You said too much. He’s hurting. But… we both know why you had to stop him.”
Kieran turned to face her. “Leon’s anger would’ve blinded him. He’s not ready. The mimic is dangerous. If he lets his emotions control him, he’ll die—or worse.”
“Still, you could’ve softened your words,” she said softly. “He lost Esther. A
