Violet and her mates stepped onto the training ground, the wide field stretching beneath the pale glow of the Fae sky.
Annequin was already there.
She stood at the center of the field like a statue carved from ice, arms folded across her chest, lips pressed into a tight line. The moment she saw them, her eyes narrowed and a scowl deepened across her face.
"You're late."
Violet frowned. "It's only two minutes."
Annequin's expression didn't soften in the slightest. If anything, it hardened.
"I do not joke with my time," she said coldly. The air around her seemed to thicken with authority. "If I volunteer my time and energy to teach you how to manage your powers, then you will take it seriously."
She took a step forward, her gaze burning into Violet.
"You have a competition ahead of you and you are a ticking time bomb, Violet Purple. The least you could do is show a little dedication."
