The air inside the Polaris training facility was different — sharper somehow. Like the place itself hummed with energy, old and alive.
Massive windows lined one wall, letting in the soft morning light that spilled across the floorboards, illuminating a dozen sparring rings and racks of weapons. The faint scent of metal and wood mixed with something wilder, something that made the air buzz against my skin.
Calen walked ahead of me, tossing a towel over his shoulder.
“Welcome to my playground, Veyra.”
I glanced around, eyes wide.
“This is… beautiful.”
He let out a snort.
“Beautiful? That’s not exactly what I was going for when I helped design it, but I’ll take it.”
“You helped design it?” I asked, eyebrows raised. He shrugged, clearly pleased by my surprise.
“Kael wanted somewh
