#Chapter 24 – Drenched in Doubt

Damon She was slower today. Not in technique; Elena moved with precision and surprising skill, but there was a slight lag between her reaction and recovery. A half-second delay in her counters. The tiniest hitch in her breath after each strike. No one else on the training grounds would notice, but I did. I noticed everything. And the more I watched her move, the more irritated I became. Not with her, exactly, but with the gnawing sense that something was off. She blocked a jab to the ribs and pivoted back, favoring her left leg again. Her arms lowered a fraction too long before rising into guard position. When I advanced again, her parry came late. Not lazy, just slower. My brows furrowed. “Again,” I commanded, stepping forward. She gritted her teeth and lunged toward me, but I sidestepped easily, letting her momentum carry her past me. She caught herself mid-turn, breath ragged. “You’re winded,” I said flatly. “I’m fine,” she snapped, brushing damp hair from