The warehouse smelled of rust and sweat. The dim light flickered above them, casting sharp shadows on the concrete floor.
Beren stood in the center, bruised, breathless, but still standing.
Her muscles ached. Her knuckles were scraped raw. But she refused to fall. Not in front of him.
Emir circled her like a predator, his dark green eyes gleaming with something between amusement and satisfaction.
"You're learning," he murmured, tilting his head. "But you're still slow."
Beren exhaled sharply. "Then teach me."
"I am."
And then he struck.
A flash of movement—too fast.
Beren barely managed to react before his arm wrapped around her throat from behind. His grip was tight—unforgiving.
"If you can't escape this, you're dead."
She clawed at his arm, twisting, trying to free herself. But he was too strong. Too skilled.
Panic flared in her chest. The air in her lungs thinned.
No.
She refused to be weak.
She slammed her elbow into his ribs—hard.
Emir grunted, his grip loosening just enough. She seized the moment—grabbing his wrist, twisting, forcing his own weight against him.
In seconds, she had flipped him over her shoulder.
A loud thud.
Emir hit the ground, staring up at her, his breath heavy. And then—he laughed.
"Not bad."
Beren smirked, wiping sweat from her brow. "Told you. I learn fast."
Emir sat up, his smirk darkening. "Good. Because next time, I won't go easy on you."