Chapter 37 preparing for the worst

Chapter 37: Preparing for the Worst

The early morning air was crisp as Jace and Anita stood in the clearing behind her house, away from prying eyes. The sun barely peeked over the horizon, casting long shadows through the trees. Anita adjusted her stance, her feet sinking slightly into the dew-soaked grass. Her muscles ached from the previous day’s training, but Jace showed no signs of slowing down.

“Focus,” Jace said, circling her with a calculated gaze. “The fox bead’s energy isn’t just raw power—it’s an extension of you. You can’t rely on instincts alone. Control is everything.”

Anita clenched her fists, feeling the faint hum of energy coursing through her veins. Since the bead had fused with her, it felt like a second heartbeat, a constant presence that she was still learning to coexist with.

“Easy for you to say,” she muttered, narrowing her eyes at him. “You’ve had centuries to figure this out.”