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    “Again,” she commanded, her voice firm but not unkind.


    “You’re too predictable,” Clara said, her tone laced with a hint of amusement. “You need to think like your opponent, anticipate their moves.”


    Clara’s lips curved into a small, knowing smile. “True. But you’re learning. Faster than I expected.”


    “Clara, do you see this?” he asked, his voice tinged with both curiosity and apprehension.


    Noah’s heart skipped a beat. “What does that mean?”


    Their eyes held for a moment longer than necessary, the air between them charged with an unspoken tension. Clara’s expression softened, a rare vulnerability flickering across her features. She reached out, her fingers brushing against his palm, sending a jolt of electricity through him.


    Noah swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry. “I couldn’t have done it without you,” he admitted, his voice rough with emotion.


    “Let’s call it a day,” she said, her tone brisk once more, though her eyes betrayed a lingering warmth. “You’ve earned a rest.”


    Clara caught him looking and raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. “See something you like?”


    Clara laughed, a sound that sent a thrill through him. “Careful, Noah. Confidence looks good on you.”


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    “This is just the beginning,” she said, her voice low. “There’s so much more you’re capable of. But it won’t be easy.”


    Clara nodded, a flicker of pride in her eyes. “Good. Because the Blood Moon doesn’t wait for anyone.”


    The sun was dipping low, casting a warm golden glow over the training field. Clara Wilson wiped the sweat from her brow, her breath still uneven from the intense drills. She grabbed a water bottle from the cooler and turned to find Noah Smith leaning against the fence, his dark hair damp and sticking to his forehead.


    Their fingers brushed as he took it, and a spark of electricity shot through her arm. Clara quickly pulled her hand back, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear to hide the flush creeping up her neck.


    "You were really good out there today," she blurted out, then immediately regretted it.


    Clara crossed her arms, trying to play it cool. "I mean, it’s hard not to notice when someone’s showing off."


    Clara’s breath hitched as he closed the distance between them. She could smell the faint scent of his sweat mixed with something earthy, like pine. "Well, maybe you should tone it down a little. You’re making the rest of us look bad."


    For a moment, they just stood there, the air between them thick with unspoken tension. Clara’s eyes flicked to his lips, and she quickly looked away, her cheeks burning.


    Clara’s heart raced. "I’m not."


    Clara’s stomach flipped. She opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. Instead, she found herself leaning in, drawn to him like a magnet. Noah’s eyes darkened, and he reached up, brushing a thumb across her cheek.


    Clara swallowed hard, her voice barely a whisper. "Thanks."


    “You’re getting better,” Clara said, her voice soft but firm. “But you still need to work on your footwork.”


    Clara’s lips curved into a small smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes.“Our training… it has to stay between us. No one can know about it.”