Draven.
I stepped closer until we were face to face. "You were never close," I said bluntly, ignoring whatever emotions that would come next from her.
Shock and anger flared in her expression.
"You keep fighting to hit me once. You forgot your defence. You forgot everything I taught you. You left yourself open every time," I said, my voice cold and measured.
She swallowed, but didn't look away.
"If I were your real enemy, you'd already be dead. Over and over. A blade to the gut, a claw to your neck—you leave too many openings."
Her shoulders sagged slightly, but she kept her chin up.
"You can't fight to prove something," I continued. "That's how you die. And worse—how you get others killed."
Silence stretched between us. I watched her carefully: Her pride was wounded, her breath shaky, but she was still holding my gaze.
I let out a short breath, my decision firm in my mind.
"Enough for today," I said.
Meredith's eyes widened. "But—"
