<b>Chapter </b><b>62 </b>


    Jade’s POV:


    “So, are youing with us to La Corona today?” Ethan asked casually over breakfast.


    I looked up from my coffee. “The final day? Sure, why not. I’m curious to see how it ends.”


    93


    Connor’s eyebrows shot up. “You’re bringing her to that bloodbath?” He nced at me with concern.


    “Miss Morgan, it’s not exactly a tourist attraction. People die in those fights.”


    “She’s tougher than she looks,” Ethan replied, not taking his eyes off me.


    The ride to La Corona was tense. Connor kept throwing nervous nces my way, clearly wondering


    why his boss was bringing a high school girl to watch men beat each other to death. If only he knew


    I’d seen–and done–far worse.


    As we approached the established arena built into the natural mountainside amphitheater, I spotted


    them immediately–Ryan and the others from Titan Defense Group, watching from a midpoint


    section of the stands. Ryan’s eyes narrowed when he saw me entering with Ethan Haxton’s


    entourage.


    Our appearance created quite a stir. Not just because of Ethan’s obvious wealth and power, but


    because of me. The whispers spread like wildfire.


    “That’s the girl who’s been with Titan Defense Group…”


    “Who is she with now? Must’ve jumped ship…”


    “No wonder Titan’s been such a disappointmenttely.”


    We settled into the VIP section, which offered the best view of the fighting pit below.


    Below, the crowd roared as a massive ck fighter entered the arena, his muscles gleaming with oil. He’d won yesterday’s match, apparently, and now strutted around the pit like he owned it, flipping <b>his </b>middle finger at the crowd to a chorus of boos.


    ‘Charming,” I muttered.


    Across the arena, Zach had spotted me and started to rise from his seat, but Ryan grabbed his arm, holding him back. “Not now,” I read Ryan’s lips as he spoke to Zach.


    <b>7:58 </b><b>Fri</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>19 </b>


    :


    The announcer’s voice boomed through the speakers, dering the final day of La Corona officially open. The crowd erupted in cheers as the ck fighter paced the arena, taunting potential challengers.


    “Anyone brave enough to <b>face </b>the champion?” the announcer called out.


    93


    After a tense moment, a man stepped into the ring. I recognized him immediately–John, formerly of Titan Defense Group. What the hell was he thinking? He didn’t stand a chance.


    “That idiot,” Zach’s voice carried across the arena. “He’s going to get himself killed!”


    “Who is he?” I asked Ethan, ying dumb.


    “No idea,” Ethan replied, watching with interest. “But judging by the odds on the board, nobody’s betting on him.”


    Sure enough, the electronic betting board showed odds heavily favoring the Apex fighter. People were cing bets frantically, most against John.


    “Is this legal?<b>” </b>I asked, already knowing the answer.


    Ethan’s lips curved into a slight smile. “La Corona operates outside conventionalw. Fighters sign waivers absolving organizers of responsibility. It’s their choice to enter–their choice to risk death.”


    John circled cautiously as the ck fighter stalked him. Then it happened–a blur of movement as therger man lunged. His fist connected with John’s jaw with a sickening crack that echoed through the arena. Blood sprayed from John’s mouth.


    The crowd roared. This wasn’t sport–it was bloodlust.


    John stumbled back but managed to stay on his feet. The ck fighter didn’t wait, delivering a punishingbination of blows to John’s ribs. I heard bones snap from where I sat.


    “Jesus,” Connor muttered.


    The ck fighter grabbed John by the throat, lifting him off his feet before mming him down. Then he mounted him, raining blows on John’s face, transforming it into a bloody mess.


    “So they just let people die here? No one stops it?” I asked, keeping my voice even.


    “Life and death bybat,” Ethan replied. “There’s now here, only rules. The organizers of


    7:58 Fri, Sep 19


    Transcendent Military Alliance-”


    “You mean you?” I interrupted casually.


    Ethan froze, his expression shifting from shock to careful neutrality in a split second. Connor tensed


    beside him.


    “What makes you say that?” Ethan asked carefully.


    I smiled. “I forgot to mention to Mr. Haxton that I speak pretty decent Spanish.” I gestured around us. “People talk, I listen. ‘La Corona‘–the crown. Fitting name for the Alliance’s recruiting ground,


    isn’t it?”


    Ethan studied me with new intensity. “When did you figure it out?”


    “Does it matter?” I stood up. “The final day usually has the biggest payouts. You might want to ce


    a bet soon.”


    Below, the Apex fighter had John pinned, preparing to break his back. I’d seen enough.


    I vaulted over the railing of the VIP section, dropping fifteen feet tond in a crouch at the edge of the fighting pit. The crowd fell silent in shock.


    With deliberate steps, I walked toward the fighters. Just as the Apex man raised his fist for a potentially fatal blow, I caught his wrist in mid–air.


    The sudden halt of motion created a tableau that froze the entire arena. His wrist felt like iron in my


    grip, but I held it steady.


    “She caught his arm,” Someone shouted in disbelief from above. “How the hell…”


    The fighter turned to <b>me</b><b>, </b>rage contorting his features. With my free hand, I delivered a lightning- fast strike to his face. His head snapped back, blood spraying from his mouth as his teeth rattled. He staggered backward, forced to release John.


    He spit blood onto the dirt floor, his eyes now focused entirely on me, filled with murderous intent.


    Game on.