1 Prologue

Erin pov

"Fight Six starts now, Thorn society against Mountain Society." the speakers blared.

I let out a breath, my society won by a thin line. I edged closer to take a look at Laia's new opponent. She's not much taller and definitely lighter than Laia. Almost hollow boned. For a second it seems like the crowd's attention has made her flustered and I was ready to dismiss her as a real contender until I study her again. No, this girl is nothing like the last one. She is hesitant not because she's afraid to fight, or because she fears losing, but because she's thinking. Calculating. She has inky hair cascading down her shoulders, the stray strands like coiled whips, and a lean, petite build. She stood deliberately, with a hand resting on her hip.

I lean a little bit out from behind. Half her face was still shadowed, but something about this girl . . . I don't know what it is. But her eyes burn in the light, and although it might be my imagination, I think I see a small smile playing on her face.

And at that time, I knew I had made a big mistake. All of those who bet on Laia's favour has.

Laia strikes like an angry ram.

This girl strikes like a viper.

Levi's POV.

I'm not worried about this fight. Not at all.

I'm more worried that I'll accidentally kill my opponent.

The girl named Laia tilts her head at me and sneers as we face each other in the ring. I suck in a deep breath. Already she had started to circle me, stalking me like prey. I study her stance. She stepped forward with her right foot. She's left-handed. Usually this would work to her advantage and throw off her opponents, but I've been trained for this. I shift the way I walk.

I let her strike first. She bared her teeth at me and lunged forward at full speed, her fist raised. But I could see her preparing to kick. I sidestep. Her kick whooshes past me. I use her momentum against her and strike her hard when her back's turned. She loses her balance and nearly falls. The crowd cheers.

Laia whirls around to face me again. This time her smile is wiped away, replaced by a snarl—I've succeeded in angering her. She lunges at me again. I block her first two punches, but her third punch catches me across the jaw and makes my head spin.

Darting forward, I struck her head. She stumbled, wiping blood oozing from the corner of her mouth, her face now smeared with red and sweat. I took advantage of the split second she regained her balance, and lashed out a leg, completely knocking her down. And stayed that way.

The crowed jeered, and amid the screams and shouts, I clambered out of the fighting ring, my society leader Kieran giving me a gruff pat on the shoulder.

Fishing out my phone, I frowned. No missed calls or messages. Didn't Mia say she would call me already?

Probably just busy, I reassured myself, and started scrolling down our previous chat:

17/3/2020

Mia:

I'm going to Erin's tonight.

Me:

The guy you're seeing? Awh, I'm a proud momma bear.

Mia:

Smh, not seeing him! Just communicating, you know, knowing more...scientifically about the male species.

Me:

Whatever you say Mi. You do know you're a horrendous liar though.

Today

Mia:

It didn't work out...

Me:

What didn't?

Mia:

The Erin thingy.

Me:

Very specific, Mia.

Mia:

Wait. I need to get something sorted out. Call you at 10?

Me:

You'd better.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

And she never came back.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

"I'll give you two months. Two months to bring Erin Laurent alive here, and find out his father's identity. And, the truth about the twin necklaces. " Kieran drawled, swiveling his chair.

I nodded, my jaw set.

"A word of advice: Don't be driven by the anger of your loss. Plan intricately, carve your way ahead with blood stained teeth."