Page 145 of Knot Happening Again

With a roar, I lunge at Jace.

He's caught off guard, expecting me to be done.

My fist connects with his sternum.

He stumbles back.

I press my advantage, unleashing a flurry of punches.

Left. Right. Left.

His guard drops.

An uppercut to his chin sends him reeling.

The crowd's frenzy fades away.

Can’t hear anything anymore.

I’m completely in the zone.

There's only Jace, me, and the distant beacon of Ophelia's presence. I dance around him, dodging his increasingly desperate swings.

He's getting tired.

And I'm just getting started.

A kick to his solar plexus.

He doubles over.

I grab him.

My knee connects with his face as I pull him down.

Blood sprays.

He crumples.

The ref starts the count. Jace doesn't get up.

The bell rings.

It's over.

I won.

The ref raises my hand. The announcer's voice booms through the speakers, declaring me the victor, still the reigning champion.

But it feels hollow.

Empty.

I don’t give a shit about any of this.

I shake Jace's hand when he gets back on his feet, murmur something about a good fight. My eyes are already searching the crowd again.

Where is she?

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