Page 61 of Celestial Combat

I blinked, my head snapping toward him. “Seriously?”

“I respect traditions.”

The elder chuckled softly, opening the lacquered box. Inside, there was a bundle of aged paper strips, carefully tied with twine, and a stack of old wooden sticks engraved with intricate symbols. I recognized the practice –omikuji, a form of fortune-telling often found at temples and shrines in Japan.

The man motioned for me to go first, so I reached forward, hesitating for only a second before drawing a paper strip from the box. I handed it over, and he carefully unfolded it, scanning the delicate calligraphy before smiling.

“A good omen.”

I let out a small breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. That was… A relief.

He turned to Zane next, holding out the bundle of wooden sticks. Zane pulled one without hesitation, his movements as smooth and deliberate as always. The elder studied the symbol for a moment before nodding.

“A strong fate.”

I frowned slightly. “What does that mean?”

The elder’s gaze softened. “Your paths have intertwined.”

I swallowed. My throat felt suddenly dry.

The elder’s smile deepened, his wrinkles folding in a way that made him look impossibly wise, like he knew something we didn’t. “In time, all will become clear.”

Zane said nothing, only inclining his head in quiet respect. I, on the other hand, felt rooted to the spot.

The elder folded our fortunes carefully and placed them back into the box before rising to his feet. Zane and I stood as well, bowing in thanks as he shuffled away toward another table.

The moment he was gone, I turned to Zane. “You actually believe in all of this?”

He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he glanced down at his drink, rolling the small ceramic cup between his fingers. When he finally spoke, his voice was lower, quieter.

“I believe in respecting the old ways.” His gaze lifted to mine, something flickering behind those dark eyes. “And I believe that sometimes, fate has a way of pulling people back together.”

Something settled in my chest – heavy, lingering. I wasn’t sure if I liked the feeling.

We weren’t touching, weren’t even that close, but in the dim glow of the restaurant, the weight of his words sat between us like a tangible thing.

I hummed in understanding, looking away. We weren’t saying anything, but somehow, this moment felt like one of the loudest ones yet.

Chapter 19

Present

Midtown, New York City

THE UNDERGROUND FIGHT CLUB WAS alive. Neon lights flickered against the steel beams and concrete, casting red and blue shadows over the roaring crowd.

From where I stood, high above in my office, I could see everything – the caged ring below, the fighters, the movement of bodies pressing against the railings of the pit. But my eyes weren’t on the chaos of the crowd. They were locked on one person.

Kali.

She stood in the center of the ring, chin lifted. The overhead lights glowed against her skin, dark brown and gold. Her long braids swayed with every measured movement. She was violence wrapped in grace.

And tonight, she was fighting for the title.

The man across from her was bigger, heavier, with too much muscle and not enough control. He underestimated her the second he saw her. A fool.

Kali was stronger than any man in this room.

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