Sally's POV
The first few minutes pass without incident. I lean against the stone barrier, watching the sparring match unfold below. Then Philip takes a brutal hit to his ribs. He barely reacts, maintaining his stance with practiced control, but I feel the impact slice through me like lightning. Sharp. Immediate. The phantom pain blooms across my chest, stealing my breath.
My grip tightens on the wall's edge. The sensation doesn't fade like it should. Instead, it spreads beneath my skin, warm and electric, pulsing with an energy I don't understand. When Ajax takes a blow to his shoulder seconds later, the pull inside me strengthens. Heat coils in my stomach, and my heart begins to race.
"Sean," I whisper, my voice barely audible.
He spins toward me instantly, his eyes sharpening when he sees whatever expression has crossed my face. "What's wrong?"
