KAIA’S POV
As soon as it was morning, instead of heading to the training ground, I found myself sitting quietly in Athena’s living room. The place smelled strongly of herbs and smoke, even more than usual. And even though the windows were open to let fresh air in, the scent was still everywhere.
Athena worked silently at first, her hands moving carefully as she moved around me. She held a bundle of dried herbs tied together, smoke rising from the burning tips. The smell was so strong, and I tried not to cough as she brought it close to my aching arm.
“It draws out the venom,” Athena explained gently in a low whisper, as though speaking too loudly might disrupt the process. The smoke curled lazily around my arm, and I watched it float and twist before disappearing. “The poison runs deep,
