The scene in Adrian's mental realm was so peaceful that he seemed to be leaning against a tree trunk, basking in the warmth of the sunlight as he drifted into a lazy nap. There was no sudden outbreak of war, no desperate call for him to rise and take command, and no reason to force himself awake before he was ready. A gentle breeze brushed against the tip of his nose, leaving behind a faint, ticklish sensation that made the tranquility feel almost real.
The feeling was strangely familiar, though Adrian couldn't explain why.
Adrian withdrew from his memories and raised a towel to wipe away the sweat trickling down his chin. The training session had done little more than warm him up, and he certainly wasn't tired enough to stop. Nevertheless, he glanced toward the observation corridor, where Connor Blake and Dominic Shaw were watching from above. The moment they noticed his attention, both men straightened.
"Chief," Dominic greeted him.
