Chapter 23

The sun was setting, casting long, golden beams through the broken windows of the cathedral. Thief sat on the steps of the altar, her head tilted back as she let the fading light wash over her face. She was exhausted, bruised, and bloodied, but there was something new in her posture—confidence.

Edgar leaned against a crumbling pillar, watching her silently. He’d pushed her harder than he thought she could handle, but she hadn’t broken. She was stronger now, more in control. And yet, there was a heaviness in his chest, a sense that their time together was running out.

"You’re quiet," Thief said, breaking the silence. "That’s not like you."

Edgar smirked faintly. "Just wondering how you managed to survive my training without losing your mind."

She laughed, a short, sharp sound. "Who says I haven’t?"