Anara may just be a human woman in the merciless Friren arena, but her ordinary exterior hides a deadly killer. As reigning champion, she's earned her freedom three times over, but each time she chooses to stay. After all, she's the best at what she does, and there's nothing that can replace the feeling of the audience cheering her name. Complacency can kill, though, and the Frirens have thrown out a new twist to knock her from her throne - a champion-killer to end her winning streak. In a world where it's kill or be killed, Anara's not going down without a fight.

Rauhq lost himself in the arena years ago, tormented by the slaughter of his family, and unable to exact revenge. Now he takes out his rage on his opponents, and no one can stand against him and his devastating power. Taking out a human woman won't even be a challenge - until Rauhq discovers, mid-battle, that she is his mate. Now Rauhq faces a new challenge: claiming a mate who doesn't want to be claimed, keeping her alive, and getting them both out of the arena.