KIERAN'S POV
The sharp, percussive sounds of combat—grunts, the slap of flesh on leather, the thud of bodies hitting mats—echoed through the Nightfang training grounds. The warriors were on edge, aware of my presence as I prowled the perimeter. Their forms were tight, their strikes precise, but to my critical eye, it wasn't enough. It would never be enough.
My gaze zeroed in on Dylan, one of the elite guards originally assigned to Daniel's detail. His footwork was a fraction too slow, his guard dropping for a split second after a feint. A mistake. A small, stupid, unforgivable mistake.
The crack in my control finally snapped.
"Halt!" My voice was a whip-crack, freezing the entire room. I strode onto the mat, my focus solely on Marcus. "Again. From the top. Now."
He paled but nodded, s
