Chapter 19 · The Champion's Invitation

The gate slammed shut behind them.

Iron teeth dropped into place with a sound that traveled through Nora’s bones. Beyond the bars, the registration hall stretched beneath a vaulted ceiling of black glass. Lightning crawled inside the panes, trapped there like insects in amber. Rows of brass pillars divided the chamber into lanes, each marked with a glowing sigil: BLOODLINE, BOND, COMBAT, CROWN.

At the center, a circular platform turned slowly beneath a suspended crown of blue fire.

The bell rang again.

Once.

Twice.

On the third strike, every sigil in the hall turned red.

“Entry confirmed,” announced a voice from somewhere inside the walls. “Candidates and associated parties are now subject to Crown Trial execution authority.”

Beckett leaned harder on his cane. Blood had soaked through the bandage around his thigh and dripped onto the polished floor.

“Well,” he said, breathing through his teeth, “at least they’re efficient.”

Nora’s hand tightened around Kane’s.

The contract ring bit into her finger. Across the circle, his matching ring flared white, answering the pulse. Their separation had nearly torn them apart in the undercity.