Xander
The training grounds were nearly empty by the time I arrived.
Most of the warriors had already finished for the morning, leaving only a handful scattered around the edges of the field. The steady rhythm of steel against steel echoed from somewhere in the distance.
I rolled my shoulders, trying to ignore the lingering irritation from the night before.
That proved impossible.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Raleigh kneeling in front of me with a poisoned wine glass in her hands.
It hadn't been a threat or a warning shot. Raleigh had fully intended for that poison to end my life.
A laugh broke through my thoughts.
I didn't need to turn around to know who it was.
"You're thinking about her again."
Ryker dropped onto the bench beside me and stretched his legs out.
I shot h
