Page 69 of Celestial Combat

My pulse roared in my ears.

Cold sweat slid down my spine, my body already reacting, already remembering–

I closed my eyes, feeling the tears burning.

No.

Not again.

But then, a memory echoed in my mind, grounding me.

‘I still don’t think I can kill a real person,’ I admitted, voice quieter than intended.

Zane didn’t answer right away.

He just hummed.

Like he knew something I didn’t.

And now, I knew too.

Chapter 21

Present

Chinatown, New York City

THE FIRST MAN KNELT IN front of me, his breath rank, his fingers rough as they fumbled with the ropes binding my wrists.

I kept my breathing steady, body loose. I needed them to think I was weak. I needed them to think I was broken.

The moment the last knot loosened, I snapped forward, ramming my forehead into his face.

The sickening crack of bone against bone split the air. He barely had time to grunt before he collapsed, blood gushing from his shattered nose.

The second man lunged.

I ducked at the last second, twisting my body to the side. He barreled past me, all brute force and no control, slamming headfirst into the wall with a dull thud.

No time to breathe.

The third man was already moving. I spun, bringing my elbow up. He dodged, but I was faster, driving my kneeinto his ribs. He staggered back, growling, but I caught the glint of silver at his waist – a katana.

I grabbed for it. He saw, tried to stop me, but I twisted just enough to rip the blade from his belt.

The moment it was in my hands, I drove my foot into his chest, sending him sprawling backward.

Movement behind me.

I pivoted, swinging hard. The first man had recovered, his bloodied face twisted in rage as he reached for me.

The blade sliced clean through his wrist.

For half a second, there was only silence. His eyes widened as his severed hand hit the floor with a wet thump.

He screamed.

It was a horrible, raw sound, but it was drowned out almost immediately by a barrage of gunfire erupting on the other side of the door.

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