Chapter 9. Shift of Tension

Lia stood outside for a full minute before turning the key. Her fingers still hurt from yesterday, knuckles cracked open again where the skin hadn’t healed.

Cassian’s voice from the day before echoed in her head—Don’t come tomorrow.

She came anyway.

The door groaned open. The air inside was still and heavy, the kind that carried old breath and dust. She half expected him not to be there.

He was.

Cassian stood by the ring, taping his wrists, sleeves rolled to his elbows. His movements were mechanical, too precise to be relaxed.

He didn’t look up. “You shouldn’t be here.”

“I’m not good at doing what I should.”

His tape snapped taut. “That much I remember.”

Cassian didn’t move to stop her. He just watched through the corner of his eye.

“You can’t even lift properly right now,” he said.

“Then I’ll start with footwork.”

“You’ll start with rest.”

“I’ve been resting for years.”

That got his attention