Chapter 1

Ash’s point of view 

 

I walk into the Firepit with my hood pulled over my face, trying to stay hidden from the massive crowd. JD is on the door tonight; he lets me into the club with a nod of his head; I keep my head down as I make my way to the back rooms. The place is packed to the rafters, and most of the crowd is hoping to get a glimpse of Killer.

 

"Killer" Yeah, that's me. Although I don't usually go for the kill, I am pretty happy with a KO in the first round, my quickest KO being 3.4 seconds; the name Killer was given to me after one of my early fights ended badly. That night will haunt me for the rest of my days, but you must accept the risks that come with the underground fights.

I finally make my backstage, away from the crowds; the other fighters greet me, this is my club, and I know each and every person that trains here. They are my family. Stella spots me as I walk in; I guess I am easy to spot when I stand at six feet and five inches; she grins as she walks over, holding a large glass out to me. "Thanks, Stella," I say as the liquid burns the back of my throat.

"Anytime, boss." She replies as she gives me a cheeky wink before she walks away with a sway of her hips. I laugh, Stella might be hot, but she likes to spread herself around, and I'm getting far too old for that shit. 

 

Don't get me wrong, I am no saint, and I like a bit of female company to warm my bed at night, but Stella has been through most of the guys at the Firepit, so much so that the guys have started to compare notes. I have also heard she made a bet that she could get me in bed next. For the sake of my sanity and my health, there is no way I'm going down that road.

Stan, my best friend and co-fighter, makes his way over to me, laughing at Stella's antics. "I'm glad I'm a married man." He says, still chuckling. I laugh as I pat his back. "If you were still single, I'm sure you wouldn't tap that either."

 

I sit with Stan as we watch the early fighters; most of these are just young lads rising through the ranks. Most of them run away from the big cities that the vampires rule; without this club and these fights, these kids would be nothing but blood servants—forced to give their blood to keep the vampires alive. God, do I detest those bloodsuckers.

Though maybe I should be glad as this agreement has kept the vampires from killing, I hate to see these kids lined up, having their blood taken by force; they may be free to carry on with their lives, but the vampire leaves them weak and anaemic, and it boils my blood. There is also the fact that people are still going missing, and these people are never to be found again. Then, there are the rumours of the vampires' taking humans by force for servants, and the sickest rumour of them all is humans are being kept for pets by the new age vampires.

The older vampires kept to the rules, and these rules were mostly unbroken, but these younger vampires think that they can take whatever they want from humans. This is how the Firepit started, I believe everyone should know how to keep themselves safe, and everyone should have the knowledge of knowing how to kill a vampire. Every fighter in this club knows how to defend themselves from the vampires and how to kill a vampire if they run out of options. The club is growing in strength and numbers as the kids come to us for help, especially now there is a new vampire king; it is believed he killed his own father to claim his throne; whether it's true or not, I don't know.  I do know these vampires are getting restless, and it's only a matter of time before they come out from the city walls looking for new blood.

I help Stan tape his wrists as he gets ready for his fight. He has a big fight tonight as next month is the championships; Stan is more than ready, though. I tie his gloves, patting him on his back as we make our way into the ring. 

The crowd spots me and begins to chant my name. “Killer, Killer, Killer”

I growl, annoyed that they would do this on Stan's big night, but Stan just shrugs his shoulders with a grin. He may be a big man with a big punch, but he is just such a laid-back guy; nothing brings him down. Stan, the man, takes down his man with a KO in the second round, not that I expected anything else; the man is in his prime.

 

We head backstage as I get ready for my own fight; tonight, I take on the Phantom, the man is as big as his reputation, but tonight I will lay his reputation on the floor alongside his pride. They don't call me Killer for nothing…

 

The crowd goes wild when they call my name; Stan laughs as he helps me into my black gown…. "Damn, listen to that crowd."

He says as we walk through the mass of bodies, everyone desperate to reach out and get a touch of Killer. I see the Phantom in my line of vision, my eyes holding his stare; I won't back down his tactics won't work with me; he turns his head away as I laugh…...

The crowd chants as I clear the ropes in one swift jump as the bell goes for the first round. Five-point, two seconds later, and the phantom lies at my feet.

"Killer, Killer, Killer."

I raise my hands in victory as my eyes scan the crowd.....eyes meet hers. 

 

The most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my life; there is something about her though, an air of vulnerability; her frightened eyes catch mine before she turns her head away from me as she backs into the crowd. Jumping over the ropes, I head in her direction, but she is gone.

Damn, who is she? And why is she at the Firepit? I have to find her……….