Jace led Nolan down a narrow alleyway, neon light flickering across the slick pavement.
"You sure about this place?" Nolan asked, curiosity and caution in his tone.
Jace smirked. "Relax. You're about to see a side of the city most people don't get to. Underground entertainment. You'll thank me later."
Nolan raised an eyebrow. "Underground? Sounds… risky."
"Only if you're afraid of losing," Jace teased, pushing open an unmarked door.
Inside, the air was thick with smoke, sweat, and adrenaline. The bar pulsed with energy. In the far corner, a circle of men arm-wrestled fiercely, shouts and laughter mingling with coins clinking onto the table.
Jace leaned toward Nolan. "See that? People bet on strength here. Some win, some… don't. I come here for the thrill."
Nolan took it all in. "And you want me to… watch?"
"Learn," he said with a grin. "Or get inspired."
Across the room, Selena slumped into a shadowed corner, thoughts tangled. Rejecting Cassian earlier had felt… right. And yet, she couldn't explain why. A small part of her felt guilty—he had always been close, almost like family, and she owed him something, especially after all he had done for her. Zara was the only person she truly confided in, and Cassian, for better or worse, was another anchor she felt tied to.
Her chest burned with the confusion of it, the mix of guilt and relief, and she needed an outlet. Her gaze fell on the arm-wrestling circle, and a spark ignited. Perfect, she thought. A distraction… something I can control.
Rising smoothly, she approached the circle. The men barely glanced at her before one, burly and cocky, leaned back.
"You lost your way, little lady?" he sneered.
Selena smiled faintly. "I'm here for a challenge," she said, voice calm yet commanding. "Anyone willing to test themselves?"
Laughter broke out, bets flying. "Ten bucks says she taps in a minute," someone shouted.
"Twenty says thirty seconds," another countered.
"Let's see about that," the first man said, slapping his hand onto the rough wooden table.
Selena's hands were steady. Focused. She pressed, and within moments, victory. Cheers erupted, coins clinking as bets shifted.
Another man stepped up, smirk fading as she bested him. Then another, and another. With each victory, her confidence surged. The crowd leaned in, fascinated, whispering, cheering, some muttering bets she couldn't lose.
Good, she thought, adrenaline and fire surging. Let them see. Let them know I'm not to be underestimated.
She teased lightly between matches, her voice carrying. "Is that all you've got?" A playful smirk on her lips drew whistles and laughter. Some admired her audacity; others bet she'd fail next.
From the sidelines, Nolan leaned against a railing, arms crossed, captivated. He didn't know her name, didn't know her story—but there was something magnetic about her. Confidence. Fire. A raw energy that demanded attention.
"She's incredible," Nolan muttered under his breath.
Jace nudged him. "Told you. Not something you see every day."
By the time the final challenger approached, whispers had turned into roars of anticipation. The wiry man tried to mask his nerves, but Selena's focus was absolute. Another victory. Coins clattered onto the table as bets reevaluated, admiration and disbelief mingling in the air.
The rush left her heart pounding. The confusion over Cassian still lingered—a sense of obligation mixed with relief—but it was drowned in the thrill of victory, control, and the energy of the crowd.
Satisfied, Selena gave a sharp nod and melted back into the shadows, leaving the bar buzzing. Nolan's eyes followed her, straining to catch the mysterious woman in the dim light. He wanted to follow, to know more, but the chaos and her sudden disappearance held him back.
Who is she? he thought, mesmerized. And why can't I stop thinking about her?
That night, Nolan replayed every movement, every confident glance, every playful word in his mind. He didn't know her name, but he knew he would see her again—and he would be ready.