He doesn’t move immediately. Just watches me for a second too long. Then he pushes off the wall. “Your guard is terrible,” he says flatly. Like he’s not starting a conversation. Just stating a fact. His gaze doesn’t leave mine. “Five days,” he continues, quieter now. “And you still can’t tell when you’re not alone.” I fold my arms, ignoring the way my pulse picks up. “Five days,” I echo. “And you weren’t here for any of them.” I pause, shooting daggers at him. “So forgive me if I didn’t train myself to your standards.” I let that sit. Then tilt my head slightly. “Or…” I say, voice edged with something sharper, “is criticism the only part of training you’re good at?” I barely finish the sentence— Before he moves. There is no warning. No shift in posture. One second he’s there— The next— My body reacts too late. His hand snaps out, knocking my arms apart before I can even register the movement. My balance falters, weight shifting wrong— And then hi
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