Pykh I enter the arena, inhale its familiar scent, and the aches and pains from my master’s beating become distant to me. My own body is like a suit of armor, and I am the warrior within, perfect and determined.

After nothing but losses the two previous nights, I have to win tonight, or I will be sent back to the lower ranks, having to filch meat to sustain myself and clean up after the guests.

I won’t go back to that, so tonight has to be different.

But I’m not worried.

I’m not fearful, I’m not hu...