“They blackmailed you…”
“I’m sorry,” I said, barely audible.
Leo’s jaw clenched. “Why didn’t you tell us?” He sounded wounded. “We could’ve—”
Then he stopped. A realization sparked behind his eyes.
“Thorne,” he said quietly. “It was him, wasn’t it…” he cursed.
In the box above us, Mother Ashford stood with a goblet in one hand and venom in her smile.
“Elira,” she said over the speaker, her voice oozing delight, “you’ve met your opponent.”
She turned to the crowds. “Do you all recognise him?”
“Fuck you bitch!” Leo yelled out.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Leo Knight. Lion shifter and Shade. Show him your love, will you?”
The crowd erupted. Not in applause—in hatred. Boos and jeers rose like a tide. Fruit, rocks, and gods knew what else began pelting the ring.
Leo raised an arm to shield himself, but his glare didn’t falter. He looked dangerous. Vicious.
And very, very ready to fight.
“A dramatic twist, wouldn’t you say?”
“I’m not fighting him,” I said, loud, clear. “Do you hear me? I won’t do it.”
Mother sighed. “You are just so sentimental, Elira. I warned you about this, didn’t I?”
Another gate opened. I turned—and time stopped.
Finn.
His hands were bound in front of him, face pale and bloodied, his body barely upright between two guards. He tried to stand tall when he saw me—but I could see the tremble in his legs.
“No,” I breathed. “No, please—”
It didn’t matter that he had hurt me. It didn’t matter that Finn had failed me. I would no sooner cut off my own arm than leave him to die.
And I hated myself for it.
I will always save him.
Mother descended from her glass box like a queen descending from a balcony to oversee a hanging. She stepped into the sand, velvet skirts skimming the blood-soaked ground.
In one hand—a slender blade.
She walked to Finn and placed it gently against his throat.
“If you won’t give the crowd what it wants,” she said sweetly, “then perhaps your friend can.”
“Don’t!” I shouted. “Don’t hurt him!”
“Then fight.” Her voice was soft. Cruel.
I turned back to Leo. “Please. You don’t have to do this—”
