I circled her like a hawk, my eyes picking apart every flaw. Her stance was better than when we started, sure, but “better” wasn’t good enough. Not out there. Not for this job. She was stiff, hesitant—two things that’d get her killed.

“Your guard’s low,” I snapped, my voice leaving no room for argument. “You drop it like that in a real fight, and it’s over. Dead. Try again.”

She adjusted, her jaw tight and her eyes locked on me. Frustration rolled off her in waves, but that wasn’t my problem. Better she hated me now than end up six feet under because I went easy on her.

I moved fast, a sudden feint to see how she’d handle it. Her flinch was almost imperceptible, but it was there. Enough to cost her. I stepped back and let out a sharp sigh, shaking my head.

“Still too slow. What, you think a demon’s gonna stand there and give you time to figure it out? Focus.”

She shot me a look—fire, frustration, defiance. It was the kind of glare that could make a lesser man flinch. But I wasn’t here to coddle her feelings. This wasn’t about winning an argument or earning my approval.

She squared up again, and for just a second, I caught something behind that fire. That stubborn determination. It was raw, sure, but I’d seen it before. The kind of thing that, if she didn’t let it break her, might just save her life one day.

Still, I couldn’t let her see even a flicker of pride. Not now. Not yet.

“Alright,” I said, “Again.”