The gym was empty when I arrived at five fifty-eight.
Not surprising. Noel had demanded six o'clock, and being early was probably some kind of tactical test I was supposed to fail. Show up late and she'd lecture me about discipline. Show up on time and she'd already be warmed up, ready to demonstrate her superiority.
Show up early and catch her off guard.
I dropped my bag near the bench and started stretching. The facility was impressive by academy standards. Reinforced walls. Shock-absorbing floors. Training dummies that could withstand Essentia-enhanced strikes without exploding into expensive debris. Coastline didn't skimp on equipment for their top-ranked students.
The door opened at exactly six.
Noel walked in wearing black athletic shorts that ended mid-thigh and a grey sports bra that did absolutely nothing to hide the curves underneath. Her violet hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail. Her grey eyes found me immediately.
"You're early."
"You sound disappointed."
