Kai's Point of View
The crunch of gravel under my boots echoes louder than it should as I walk up the path towards the training grounds. I spot them before they see me, Octavia sitting on the sparring ring edge, Rafael standing a few paces from her, both of them turned towards the treeline like they are expecting shadows to step out of it.
Something coils tight in my chest, but I force it down. This is not the time.
“Hi,” I call, lifting my hand in a half wave. My voice sounds steadier than I feel.
Octavia straightens, giving me a small smile, one that does not quite reach her eyes. Rafael just nods his head once, sharp and guarded.
Alec and Trevor are not far behind me. Within a minute, all five of us are gathered in a loose circle at the center of the grounds, the kind of silence th
