Chapter 37: Blood in the Cage

Raze didn't move at first. He just stood there, watching, measuring.

His men, though? They were already making their way through the crowd. Three from the left, two more near the cage. Their weapons were hidden, but I could see the weight in their jackets, the way they walked—trained killers, not just street thugs.

Kai's voice crackled in my ear. "You've got five closing in, another three near the east exit. Raze is just watching."

Ghost shifted beside me, keeping his voice low. "They'll try to box you in."

I stood, rolling my shoulders. "Then let's break their hands."

One of the bounty hunters made the first move—a big guy with a scar down his cheek. He stepped forward, pretending to be just another spectator getting too close.

I let him.

Then, just as he reached for something under his coat, I moved.

I grabbed his wrist, twisted hard. A knife clattered to the ground. Before he could react, I slammed my elbow into his throat. He choked, eyes wide, stumbling back.

That was the spark.

The whole fight pit exploded.

Chaos Unleashed

The crowd surged as people scrambled away. Some stayed, hoping for a show. Others? They saw blood in the water and wanted a piece.

The next attacker lunged. This one was faster—his punch came in high, meant to stun me long enough for his friend to finish the job. I ducked, twisted, and drove my knee into his ribs.

Something cracked. He went down.

Ghost was already moving, handling two of them on his own. A blade flashed in the dim light, but Ghost sidestepped, disarmed the man in two sharp moves, and drove the knife into his thigh.

Screams echoed in the pit.

But my focus was still on Raze.

He hadn't moved. Hadn't so much as flinched.

Just watched.

Then, finally, he smiled.

And jumped.

A Monster Unleashed

He landed in the cage with a heavy thud, dust rising around him. He rolled his shoulders, his coat falling away to reveal a black tactical shirt and knuckles wrapped in tape.

"You've made quite a mess, Damien," he said, voice like gravel.

I spat blood onto the ground. "Not done yet."

His grin widened.

"Good."

Then he was on me.

Fast—faster than I expected.

The first hit clipped my jaw, rattling my skull. I staggered, barely blocking the second strike. Raze didn't fight like a brawler. He was precise, calculated. A predator who enjoyed playing with his food.

I wasn't food.

I slammed a fist into his ribs, then another. He grunted but barely moved.

Then he grabbed my arm.

And threw me.

I crashed into the metal bars of the cage, pain lancing up my spine. Stars danced in my vision.

Raze cracked his knuckles.

"Come on, Damien. Show me something real."

Endgame

Ghost was still handling the last of Raze's men, but I could hear Kai in my ear.

"More incoming. You don't have time to drag this out."

She was right.

I wiped blood from my mouth and pushed off the bars. My legs felt like lead, but I forced them to move.

Raze tilted his head. "Still standing?"

I smiled. "Yeah."

Then I grabbed the hidden knife from my boot.

And charged.