Chapter 32
The morning sun barely peeked through the training ground windows when Elder Thorne approached me. I was working through the defensive sequences we'd practiced yesterday, my movements flowing like water—or at least that's what Dominic had said when he'd watched me earlier.
“Clara.” Elder Thorne's voice made me pause mid-strike. His weathered face carried an expression I couldn't quite read. Recognition? Sadness? His hands trembled slightly as he watched me complete the movement.
“Elder Thorne?” I lowered my practice sword, suddenly aware that every other person in the training area had found somewhere else to be.
He stepped closer, his voice dropping to barely above a whisper. “Child, you fight just like your mother did.”
The sword slipped from my grip, clattering against t
