As the fighters prepared, several men had come and gone to talk to Vin. Callie couldn’t understand most of them as they spoke so low, but she could tell it was all serious business. Why else would they be so secretive about it?

When all the men have left, Vin relaxed into his seat, snaking an arm behind Callie to wrap his arm around her waist. The action surprised her, stiffening in his hold.

“What did you find out?” Vin asked Soren. “Did he have a family?”

Soren shook his head, “No, but he did have a girlfriend.

Vin closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, trying to keep himself grounded,...