Sparrow looked between both of them and huffed loudly, feathers puffing in annoyance. He transformed into his bird form mid-turn and landed on Cutie’s shoulder with a thump. He was going to eat something too. No way was he staying here watching these idiots get destroyed. He might lose his mind just from watching.

’’’

The training dragged on and on until, finally, all twenty men collapsed onto the ground in a heap of groaning, trembling bodies.

Kaya looked down at them and clicked her tongue. "Tch."

She really needed to train them properly. These men were useless.

She crossed her arms and looked at each of them with cold eyes. "We’re meeting tomorrow at dawn. Before the rooster crows, all of you should be here on this ground." She paused, letting the threat hang. "If any of you dare to be late..." She let the sentence trail off, pulling it like a noose.

Even though these were giant vultures, strong beastmen who could tear through stone, they trembled like children.

They didn’t dare argue. Didn’t dare complain.

’’’

That night, the whole vulture tribe slept peacefully.

Well, except Veer’s father—but that was because he’d been pulled away to another tribe for an important meeting. Some political matter that couldn’t wait. So he couldn’t come after Kaya for a while.

Same went for a few of the elders and others who’d been vocal about getting rid of her.

Mysteriously—very mysteriously—Kaya heard whispers the next morning that several of those elders’ houses had been broken into during the night. Someone had entered, smashed furniture, and in a few cases, broken legs. Actual legs. The beastmen kind.

Kaya wasn’t surprised the news reached her so casually, like gossip instead of crime.

But she knew the mastermind behind it.

After all, who except Veer had such an idiotic mind and reckless behavior?

She shook her head, half exasperated, half amused.

’’’

When Kaya finally dragged herself back to the house, exhausted and sore, she stepped inside and immediately smelled something sweet.

Her eyes landed on the table.

Cupcakes.

Well, not cupcakes exactly—not like the ones from her world with whipped cream and frosting. But they were beautiful in their simplicity. Plain, golden-brown, round little cakes that smelled like warmth and comfort.

Kaya walked closer and picked one up, inspecting it. They were made with jaggery and flour, she could tell—sweet but earthy, the kind of treat that felt rare and precious in this world.

Even though they looked plain, they were delicious. After all, in this place, getting even this much was impressive.

Kaya smiled despite herself.

"You like them?"

She turned to see Cutie standing near the fire, wiping his hands on a cloth, expression soft and expectant.

"They look good," Kaya admitted, biting into one. The sweetness melted on her tongue, and she closed her eyes briefly. "Really good."

Cutie’s face brightened, a quiet pride settling over him. "I thought you’d be tired. You worked hard today."

Kaya snorted. "I worked hard? Those idiots barely survived."

Cutie chuckled softly and pulled out a chair for her. "Sit. I made stew too."

’’’

By the time Veer walked in, Kaya was already halfway through her second cupcake, and Cutie had set out bowls of stew for everyone.

Veer looked far too pleased with himself, practically glowing as he dropped into his seat.

Kaya raised an eyebrow. "You look happy."

"Do I?" Veer asked innocently, grabbing a cupcake and biting into it. "Mm. Cutie, these are great."

"Don’t change the subject," Kaya said flatly. "I heard some elders had... accidents tonight."

Veer’s grin widened. "Really? That’s terrible. I hope they recover quickly."

Kaya stared at him. "You’re not even trying to hide it."

"Hide what?" Veer asked, all false innocence. "I was collecting flowers all evening. Very busy. Very productive."

"With your fists?"

Veer shrugged, still grinning. "Flowers are delicate. Sometimes you have to be... firm."

Kaya shook her head, fighting a smile. "You’re an idiot."

"Your idiot," Veer corrected, leaning back in his chair like he’d just won an argument.

Cutie placed a bowl of stew in front of Kaya, his touch gentle. "Eat," he said softly. "You need your strength for tomorrow."

Kaya looked at him, then at the food, and felt something warm settle in her chest. "Thanks."

Cutie just smiled, quiet and steady, and sat down beside her.

Sparrow, still in bird form, hopped onto the table and started pecking at a cupcake, wings fluttering with satisfaction.

"Hey—" Veer pointed at him. "That’s mine."

Sparrow ignored him completely, beak deep in crumbs.

Kaya laughed—actually laughed—and for the first time in days, the tension in the house eased.

That night, they ate together peacefully, the weight of the world outside the door but not inside it.

And for now, that was enough.

From that day onward, Kaya started teaching them diligently.

Every dawn, before the rooster crowed, twenty young vulture men stood on the training ground with straight backs and wary eyes, waiting for her command. No one dared to be late anymore.

And slowly—so slowly it was almost invisible at first—something in the tribe began to change.

The young men started to respect Kaya. Not just fear her, though that was certainly there. But genuine respect, the kind that came from watching someone push you past your limits and then stay beside you to help you cross them.

She screamed at them, yes. Called them useless when they relied too heavily on brute strength. Cracked her stick across their shins when they got lazy.

But she was also the one who showed them how to move with precision, how to fight with strategy instead of instinct, how to turn their human forms into weapons instead of treating transformation as their only option.

Their power increased—not just in beast form, but in human form too. They became faster, sharper, more controlled.

Kaya was satisfied by this. The training kept her busy, kept her mind occupied, kept her from spiraling into thoughts about the one-month deadline or the threats circling closer every day.

It gave her control when everything else felt like chaos.

But then something started happening that she couldn’t control.

At night, after everyone had gone to sleep, Kaya would lie in bed and feel it.

Heat.

It started in her chest—deep, burning, like something smoldering beneath her ribs. At first it was mild, just uncomfortable enough to keep her awake. But with each passing night, it grew worse. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

The heat spread through her body, pulsing with every heartbeat, making her skin feel too tight and her breath too shallow. And it hurt—not sharp, but a constant, throbbing ache that made her curl into herself, fist pressed against her sternum like she could push it back down.

She groaned softly, teeth biting into the pillow to muffle the sound, because she didn’t want anyone to hear. Didn’t want anyone to know.

And strangely—so strangely it made no sense—when morning came, the pain would fade. Not disappear entirely, but lessen enough that she could get up, train, function like nothing was wrong.

Kaya couldn’t figure out what was happening to her.

Was it a heart attack? Some delayed damage from Liam’s jinx? An infection she hadn’t noticed?

She had no medical knowledge. No way to diagnose herself. No idea what illnesses even existed in this world.