LYRA'S POV
(TEN DAYS BEFORE MORRIGAN'S ARRIVAL)
"Again," I commanded.
Sera's hands glowed red as she focused on the practice dummy's wound. The blood magic pulsed, wanting to tear instead of heal. But she held it, guided it, forced it to mend instead of destroy.
The wound closed. Slowly. Imperfectly. But closed.
"Better," I said. "Yesterday it took you ten minutes. Today, seven. By the time Morrigan arrives, we're aiming for five."
"What if I can't?" Sera's hands were shaking from the effort.
"Then you keep trying until you can. That's what training is." I moved to Kira, whose storm magic crackled around her like a living thing. "How's the grounding exercise?"
"Still shocking everything I touch." She held up her hands, electricity dancing between her fingers. "But I managed to pet a cat yesterday without killing it. Progress?"
"Definitely progress. Keep working on it."
