Elijah's POVThe pit beneath the fourth district docks reeked of sweat, cheap alcohol and dried blood.Chains rattled overhead as the surrounding crowd of fighters and syndicate thugs slammed their fists against the chain-link enclosure, screaming for blood.I stepped through the chain-link gate and walked to the center of the ring, rolling my shoulders. My muscles burned with a rage.For days, I had drowned in regret, regret for leaving the castle on the exact morning Maya fled, regret for letting her slip out of our grip and rage over learning she had been chained in a forest cabin while I sat miles away.I channeled every ounce of that frustration directly into my stance, locking my eyes onto Julian as he stepped through the gate opposite me.Julian crouched low, raising his guard. He was fast, and his defensive footwork was disciplined, trained under the strict protocols of the Raven estate. But he was outmatched.The bell rang.Julian moved first, darting forward with jabs aimed
Last Updated : 2026-10-29 Read more