Chapter 16. Midnight Spar

The sound of gloves against canvas broke the quiet like a pulse.

Thud. Thud-thud. Pause. Again.

Nadia stopped mid-step outside the locker room.

The gym was supposed to be empty. Lights off, doors locked, silence. She’d closed up herself an hour ago—wiped down the mats, killed the main switch, left only the old fluorescents humming above the ring.

But someone was still here.

She followed the pattern toward the noise. Her shoes whispered over the floor, each step slow and measured.

Then she saw her.

Lia Chen—sweat-dark shirt clinging to her spine, hair tied high and loose, breath sharp enough to cut glass. Alone in the ring.

She hit the bag like it had done something personal.

Thud. Breathe. Thud-thud.

The sound filled the space, echoing off metal beams and empty bleachers.

Nadia leaned against the ropes, crossing her arms. “You’re not supposed to be here.”

Lia didn’t look up. “Neither are you.”