Chapter 10: Learn to fight
Chapter 10
Ronan leaned against the cold metal wall, catching his breath as his pulse gradually slowed. His muscles still trembled from the lingering rush of power, but his mind felt clearer now. The weight of what he'd just done settled over him, and he couldn't quite shake the sick feeling churning in his stomach.
Nathaniel's smug expression hadn't changed. "Well, that was entertaining. You've got potential, Ronan. Try not to waste it." With that, he gave a casual wave to Jordan, the frail man who had tested Ronan earlier.
Jordan nodded once, then approached Ronan, his cold demeanor still firmly in place. "Come with me," he ordered, turning sharply without waiting for a response.
Ronan hesitated before following, his thoughts still tangled from the fight. He glanced back at the prisoners' bodies—one dead, one unconscious, and one still whimpering on his knees. He didn't feel any pity for them. They had been killers, set to be executed anyway. Yet the way he'd felt in that moment—the sheer, unyielding urge to kill—made his skin crawl.
He followed Jordan out of the arena, past the gates that had now lowered back into the ground. They moved through a maze of corridors until they reached a spacious room with dim lighting and worn leather couches arranged haphazardly around a low table.
Six people were scattered around the room, each looking up as they entered. Conversations halted, and curious eyes fixed on Ronan. Jordan stopped in the center, arms folded, his face impassive.
"This is the new recruit," he announced flatly. "Ronan Vale. You'll be working with him from now on."
One of the guys—tall and lean with messy auburn hair—grinned and gave a lazy salute. "Nice to meet ya, newbie. Name's Theo. I'm twenty-four."