"I want to go train a bit, if that's okay," I said softly, stepping out of Drakon's hold and breaking the heavy silence of the office.
Drakon looked down at me, his dark eyes softening just a fraction. "Of course, sweetheart. Go ahead."
I slipped out of the room and headed down the back stairwell, taking the rear exit out toward the open training pit behind the compound. The late afternoon air was cool, carrying the sharp scent of damp earth and pine.
Over in the corner of the pit stood the automatic boxing dummies—heavy, mechanical frames programmed strictly for striking drill work. They didn't move around or dodge; they simply blocked incoming blows and threw rhythmic, predictable counters. It was pure repetition, exactly what I needed to clear my head.
I pulled on a pair of heavy le
