Chapter 12 · The Qualifier's Blood Mark

The locker room stank like rust and old sweat. Chen Feng wrapped his right hand, slower than usual because the red pulse under his palm kept throwing off his grip. Every throb felt like the shard was trying to punch through his skin.

"Don't let them see you bleed." Old Xu stood in the doorway, throat purple where Chen had nearly crushed it two hours ago. "Steel Claw's got people watching. You bleed, they know the shard's awake."

"What if I can't control it?" Chen pulled the wrap tight enough to hurt. "What if I black out like before?"

Old Xu limped in and shut the door. "Then Su Mian's gone. Steel Claw sent word an hour ago. You lose this qualifier, or you win dirty, he takes her as interest on my debt."

Chen's hands stopped moving. "What debt?"

"The one I'm paying by keeping you alive." Old Xu leaned against the lockers, breath whistling through his busted throat. "He knows I gave you the shard. Knows I'm training you. He thinks I'm trying to build a weapon to use against him."

"Are you?"

"I'm trying to keep one kid from turning into scrap metal.