The Killer Queen ( Noella Briony ) novel Chapter 209

The motorcycle sputtered to a stop near South Flora Storage.

With a flick of her wrist, Noella tossed the keys to Alioth and strode purposefully through the reeds toward the old air-raid shelter now serving as their hideout.

"Boss, there's still a bunch of those Shadow Dragon Society goons left, but they're giving Ms. Gruber the cold shoulder. They say she's gotta win a boxing match before they'll take orders from her. Isn't that nuts? I checked the lineup at our fight club - there are several champs scheduled to fight. It's no place for someone like Ms. Gruber!"

Malvina, with her skinny arms and legs - she was clearly not cut out for the ring. Alioth figured if she stepped into that ring, the Gruber family might as well fly the white flag.

But the underworld has its own logic when it comes to loyalty and leadership.

Noella's steps were firm in the boots Sienna had bought her.

"If the Shadow Dragon Society has rigged the fights with their own people, Ms. Gruber doesn't stand a chance!"

"Why not just let her fight me?"

Alioth's brain momentarily short-circuited. "What?"

Noella turned, giving him a quizzical look with an arched eyebrow. "Any problem?"

No problem at all.

Their boss was a legend in the fighting circuit, a champion who had held her own for years. If she decided to step into the ring, whatever setup the Shadow Dragon Society had in mind wouldn't stand a chance!

Alioth hustled to keep up with Noella, taking his place beside Malvina.

"Malvina, come on, I'll show you."

"To the fight club?"

"Yeah."

Malvina's eyes sparkled with a mix of anticipation and fear - she had never been to an underground fight club before!

Alioth drove in the direction of the fight club with Noella and Malvina. Hidden within a vast expanse of reeds towering taller than a person, lay the underground fight club, concealed from daylight.

Noella glanced at Malvina, whose excitement was tinged with nervousness, and spoke with a cool detachment. "I forgot to tell you, we couldn't save Yates. Walden and Arthur are hanging by a thread, and even if they recover, they'll face a firing squad. The fire has been ruled an accident, so you won't be troubled any further. You did well, but don't risk yourself for people who aren't worth it again."

Malvina blinked back tears, vowing to herself to overcome her tearful tendencies. "Got it!"

Upon entering the fight club's domain, Noella handed Malvina a mask. "Wear this. Don't let anyone inside memorize your face."

Those who fought for money were ruthless, and remembering a face could lead to trouble, or worse, revenge. Even Noella, to avoid complications, never showed her face in the club, let alone Malvina, whose situation was precarious.

Malvina quickly donned the mask, somewhat surprised. She couldn't help but feel that this wasn't Noella's first time here.

Noella's face, covered by a fearsome demon mask, seemed oddly fitting despite the mismatch with her persona.

Inside the fight club, the air was thick with the shouts of gamblers urging fighters to kill their opponents and win them more money.

"Boss, this way."

They entered a VIP room with a large screen providing a clear view of every move on the fight floor.

Noella turned to the visibly tense Malvina. "You sure you want to go down there?"

"Well, even if I'm not sure, it doesn't seem like I have a choice, right? What are my chances of making it out alive?"

Noella's reply was merciless. "Zero. There's no chance. You'll die for sure."

Malvina swallowed hard. "What if... what if it's not a fight to the death? Just until one yields?"

"You're too frail, still injured. Even if the fighters hold back, you'd die."

The underground fights were about money and life itself, where one gambled with their very existence.

Noella secured her mask and handed Malvina a hairpin. "Hold this for me."

It was a gift from Ulrich, and she didn't want it dirtied in the fight.