Dennis nodded. “Fair enough.”
For a moment, silence filled the room. Then he added softly, “You’ve grown stronger than I ever imagined. I’m proud of that, Trinity. You’ve made the bond your own — not something your parents created, but something you built.”
I didn’t answer. I didn’t know what to say.
After a moment, I turned to leave. “I’ll be at training if you need me.”
He didn’t stop me.
Outside, the packhouse felt alive again. Warriors trained in pairs, the sound of punches and growls echoing through the yard. Arlo stood near the edge of the field, setting up a circle of stones. His brow was furrowed, his eyes fixed on the ground.
I walked over. “Any progress?”
He sighed. “Some. I’ve been trying to trace the pathways that connect to the shadow realm. But they keep shifting. It’s
