Vanc

ch from Gavin, my feet moving instinctively across the packed earth of the Sterling training gro

cated training partner. He had a warrior's respect for strength, and I had ea

but I could feel his sharp, analytical gaze on me, assessing my every move

f a complex sparring se

s Zane. He was using our mind-link, the bond we had forged seven years

Where did you put the old defensiv

confident of my immediate compliance. He wasn't asking; he was comman

r a split second. My rhythm broke. Gavin's fist, meant to be bl

inside my head. *"Tell him to

nger. I couldn't afford to react. I couldn't let him know where I was or

m I did not feel. Then, I sent back a reply,

n bookcase. Second archi

eting. He had casually linked me in front of his entire command staff, needi

one. But he didn't dwell on it. She's still sulking, he probably thought. He turned to

ng ground, my momentary la

, the sudden tension in my shoulders. He caught Gavin's eye and

oice so only I could hear. "What was that? Blackwood?" He was preternaturally

Zane." The words felt like poison on my

parture. He hadn't even noticed it. My letter, my dramatic exit, my entire act of rebellion-it had been so ins

ding. He pieced it together instantly. "Y

escaped my lips. "He pro

of connection I might have felt to my old life. I wasn't a rebel waiting f

has nothing

y, leaving behind something hard and sharp as tempered

ith newfound resolve. "I think it's

possible. It would be painful, a psychic tearing, but it was neces