(Ava’s POV)
The air in Shadow Claw was thick with anticipation—the kind that came before storms, or war. Everyone could feel it, even if no one spoke of it. We trained harder, moved quieter, and looked over our shoulders a little more than usual.
I hadn’t seen much of Dominic since the last strategy session. He’d spoken directly, coldly, clinically. All business. Every plan, every decision between us was dipped in strategy and stripped of emotion.
Which was fine. Necessary, even.
But still—it ate at me.
I left the sparring circle early that evening. My ribs ached from a rough exchange with one of the newer recruits, but I didn’t care. The ache helped me think. Helped me focus. That’s what I told myself, anyway.
I didn’t expect to find him leaning against the corridor wall outside the
