Page 99 of Barinov

The lights go black and the sky turns sour.

New ring, new rules, no promised bell.

Just blood and breath and bite and hell.

Your little kings would piss and run.

But I prefer a slower fun.

Three champions wait to test your name.

One dies fast, the next joins in the game.

The final one will beg for peace,

But mercy here does not release.

To earn the key, to win your round,

You’ll have to put them in the ground.

Check Alejandro’s desk for my little prize,

It’s black and white and just your size.

Put it on and seal your fate.

My first champion won’t be late.

But know this Lexie: if Rez gets bold,

If he steps in, or Cade’s eyes grow cold.

Then every collar starts to glow,

And all your precious kings will blow.

“Marisol,” I say, letting out a shaky breath. “Where’s your dad’s office?”

She jerks her chin behind me toward a dimly lit hallway. “Last door on the right. Come on.”

We follow her past a wall of rusted lockers and peeling paint. The office door creaks as she pushes it open. Sitting on top of an old wooden desk is the same black-and-white collar that’s strapped to our girl’s neck.

I reach for it.

A hand yanks me back by my forearm, slamming me into a chest.

“Don’t,” Cade’s panicked voice fills my ear. “You can’t really…” He shakes his head. “Babe, you can’t put that thing on.”

I stare down at the collar. “Don’t really see an alternative.”

I tap my comm. “Knox. Be straight with me. Can you get this thing off once it’s on?”

There’s a brief pause and a few clicking of keys.

“I can try to hack it,” Knox says. “But it won’t be live until it’s locked on your neck. And now that we know Zeke messed with Bella’s collar.” He sucks in deep breath.

“Just say it,” I snap.