The Training of a Siren

Deep beneath the stone foundations of Blackwood Sanctuary, carved out of the solid coastal bedrock sixty feet below sea level, lay the estate’s private tactical training facility. The subterranean chamber was equipped with acoustic rubber baffling, an automated pop-up target range, and a full martial arts sparring mat. The sharp, metallic *clack-clack* of a weapon slide cycling echoed off the reinforced concrete walls. Maya stood in the center of the…