The Mercenary Queen Strikes Back (Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 23

Chapter 23

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Nova had never taken Zane–the so–called Taekwondo prodigy who ruled the campus—seriously.

In her 3,651–day career as a mercenary, only those capable of threatening her life were worthy of being called her opponents.

Zane was just an ordinary college kid. Someone like him didn’t even stir her killing instinct.

“Seriously?” Maxwell and the others froze, their faces changing drastically.

But the members of the Free Combat Club had no idea what Nova was really thinking.

“What the hell are you talking about? Haven’t you already caused enough trouble? How can you say something that outrageous?” Hannah blurted out.

She continued, “The annual duel tournament used to be nothing more than a fun show–no one really cared who won or lost.

“But after what happened yesterday–Max standing up to Zane because of you—the whole school’s going crazy. Everyone’s saying the two most popular guys on campus are going to face off over you. The Taekwondo Club and the Free Combat Club are officially at war.”

She added, “The entire school is watching now.

“Max didn’t want me to tell you because he was afraid you’d overthink it, but I can’t keep it in anymore. Nova, all of this is because of you.

“Ever since you came back, nothing good has happened. You’re such a bitch–why didn’t you just die out there and never come back?”

Hannah, who had been silent until now, finally exploded.

She turned on Nova and hurled the words like knives.

“Hannie, that’s enough.” Maxwell’s tone cut through the tension like a whip.

She didn’t lose control the way she had the first time she met Nova.

After spitting out her anger, Hannah let out a sharp huff and turned her face away, saying nothing more.

Nova’s quiet defense earlier had deeply shaken Maxwell.

‘Yeah,‘ he thought, ‘no matter what happens, she’s still my sister. Just like Hannie. We share the same mother?

Maxwell let out a long breath and looked at Nova.

He knew she had only stepped in to protect him.

His tone softened. “Zane’s opponent is me. Unless there’s absolutely no other choice. I won’t let you face him

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Chapter 23

alone. That’s the end of this discussion. Don’t bring it up again.”

Julian had been too stunned by Nova’s earlier words to react, but now he finally spoke.

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Pushing his black–rimmed glasses up the bridge of his nose, he said, “Nova, Zane isn’t as simple as you think. Don’t underestimate him.”

Caleb slung an arm around Julian’s shoulders and gave Nova a friendly grin. “Julian’s right. Zane’s skills are seriously no joke. A girl like you shouldn’t be going up against him.”

They didn’t mean to doubt her. After all, back at the bar, they’d all seen how bold she could be.

But Nova was young. Even though her recent performances had been impressive, she clearly wasn’t without training.

Their next opponent was Zane, the one everyone called a combat genius.

Maybe, with time, Nova’s talent could reach the same level as Zane’s or Maxwell’s, but not yet. And they didn’t believe she could handle him now.

Nova didn’t take their concern seriously.

She didn’t care what Julian or Caleb thought, and since this was Maxwell’s decision, she saw no reason to

interfere.

“Alright, everyone, break it up and get back to practice,” Maxwell ordered. “A month will fly by fast. The duel tournament’s coming up, and the results will affect your final grades. Don’t get sloppy.”

Maxwell’s leadership was impressive–after just a few words, everyone scattered and returned to training.

Julian, Caleb, and the others headed for the punching bags and started hitting again.

Nova caught Hannah shooting her a glare before walking toward a sandbag taller than herself.

To be fair, Hannah wasn’t all talk–her punches were solid, powerful, and sharp.

“Hey, Nova,” a cheerful voice called out. “I’m your senior and a friend of Maxwell’s. I’m Laura Justice.

“I’ve got some free time right now, and Max asked me to show you around the Free Combat Club’s training area. You up for it?”

A girl with a neat short haircut and an easygoing, confident aura stepped up to her.

She had a clean, striking look–cool, sharp, almost boyishly handsome.

The short hair didn’t make her any less feminine; if anything, it only added to her charm.

Nova turned her head slightly and caught Maxwell giving her a small nod from across the room.

“Let’s go.” Sliding her hands into her pockets, Nova pivoted smoothly and walked toward the door.

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Laura, already fond of the cool, unbothered girl, hurried to catch up.

“Nova, you’re new to the Free Combat Club, right?” she asked as they stepped into the hallway.

“Yes,” Nova replied simply.

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“Then let me give you the grand tour,” Laura said, pointing to the classroom across from them. “This entire floor belongs to the Free Combat Club. The room we were just in; that’s the main training hall.

“The one opposite is our group class room. Sometimes Maxwell, Hannah, or a few of our more experienced members act as instructors there, sharing techniques and real combat experience with others.”

They chatted as they walked toward the east wing.

Laura kept talking, her tone cheerful and lively. “Over there’s the restroom, and that hallway leads to the showers and locker rooms.

“After practicing, everyone’s drenched in sweat–it’s uncomfortable to leave like that. So we just wash up before heading home.”

Nova didn’t say a word the whole time, walking beside Laura at a relaxed pace, quietly listening to her chatter.

They toured all the classrooms along the east side, then went downstairs to the fifth floor.

From there, they crossed from east to west before finally taking the west stairway back up to the sixth floor.

When they reached the landing, Laura pointed to the door on their right.

“This one’s the lounge,” she said. “We’ve got plenty of chairs and some snacks inside. It’s where we usually hang out or rest between practices.

“During the recruitment season, we also use it to welcome new members who are curious about the club.

“Oh, and that big projector over there–Maxwell paid for it himself. He wanted members to have something to relax with. We use it to watch shows, movies, or catch up on the news,” she added.

The lounge wasn’t particularly large, but it was neat and organized.

At the front of the room, a large projector screen was playing a news broadcast.

“How’s the tour going?” Maxwell called out as he approached.

Maxwell, Hannah, Julian, and Caleb were walking in from the opposite side of the hall.

“Pretty good,” Laura answered. “We’ve been around the place once already. Why? You guys heading out?”

“Yeah, something came up.” Maxwell nodded slightly, then turned toward Nova.

Nova stood there with her arms crossed, her gaze fixed on the big projection screen in the lounge, more precisely, on the news report playing across it.

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It read, “We interrupt for breaking news. Devil’s Isle, the world’s most notorious maximum–security prison, known for holding the most dangerous criminals alive, has never had a single escape in its history.

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“However, our sources confirm that recently, one unidentified inmate managed to break out, marking the first successful escape in the prison’s existence.

“The fugitive’s identity, age, and gender remain unknown. In a statement released earlier today, Devil’s Isle officials vowed to spare no expense to recapture the escapee, calling the incident a disgrace to their institution.”

The bizarre, sensational story immediately caught everyone’s attention.

Even Maxwell and the others found themselves watching for a few seconds longer.

“Devil’s Isle, huh? I think I’ve heard of that place before,” Caleb said, frowning thoughtfully. “Can’t believe someone actually escaped from there.”

“Yeah,” Julian agreed, nodding. “Whoever did it must be pretty damn impressive.”

“It’s just a piece of random news. What does it have to do with us?” Hannah muttered coldly. “You’d be better off spending that time training.”

To Maxwell, Hannah, Julian, and Caleb, it was nothing more than another headline.

None of them gave it much thought.

They were about to leave when Nova’s low, mocking voice broke the silence–her tone calm, almost amused, but edged with something darker.

“They’ll spare no expense to capture the escapee, huh? Those bastards sure like to talk big,” she murmured.

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