The sky above the Black Bulls' base stretched wide and cloudless, a deep shade of indigo on the edge of night. Stars began to flicker into view—distant, ancient, uncaring.
Astra stood at the far end of the training field, her grimoire floating beside her like a silent moon. Her breath fogged in the cooling air, though the magic that pulsed around her shimmered with warmth.
She wasn't training. Not exactly.
She was remembering.
The way that boy's soul had unraveled in her palm. The message etched in silver flame. The name she'd sworn never to speak aloud again.
Selene.
The wind stirred gently, brushing strands of raven hair across her face.
"You've been quiet all day," Noelle said, approaching from behind. Her voice was softer than usual. No sharp edge, no prideful mask.
Astra didn't turn. "It's been a long day."
Noelle stopped a few feet away, arms crossed. "It's always a long day with this squad. But you're not like the rest of us. You carry things differently."
Astra let the silence hang between them, long enough for stars to scatter further across the sky.
"You mentioned the Eclipse," Noelle continued, stepping closer. "You've seen them before, haven't you?"
"I was raised in the borderlands," Astra said quietly. "The Coven doesn't hide there. They rule by fear and whispers. When I was small, I saw their sigils burned into trees. Dead birds arranged in spirals. And once… I saw a girl vanish into a pond. Just… gone. Like the water took her soul."
Noelle's throat tightened. "What did they want?"
"Power without consequence. Magic that doesn't obey law or god. They believe in cycles: creation through destruction."
"And you?"
"I believe in control. In consequences. In preserving life—even when it's broken."
Noelle studied her for a moment. Astra's voice didn't tremble. But there was something behind it. Something raw.
"I don't think you're as cold as you want people to believe," Noelle said.
Astra finally turned to her. "And I don't think you're as proud as you pretend to be."
They stared at each other. For once, neither looked away.