Chapter 5. The Challenge

The gym looked cleaner in the dark. Shadows covered what daylight could not forgive—the cracked tiles, peeling posters, the ghost of sweat ground into every wall.

Cassian turned the key in the back door and stepped inside. The air was cold, metallic. He let the door fall shut behind him and stood for a moment, listening to the city breathing outside—the sirens, the faint hum of the L somewhere over his head.

He flicked the switch. Half the lights came on. The rest stuttered, refusing.

Marek was already waiting, loose and restless, hoodie unzipped, gloves hanging around his neck. The kid had the kind of energy that didn’t know what to do with itself.

“You called me in late for a reason,” he said.

Cassian just nodded toward the far wall. “Warm up.”

The door opened again. Lia.

No hesitation this time. She crossed the floor with the steps of someone who’d already decided what the night was going to cost her. Her hair was tied up, skin still mark