Prologue

The air smelled like sweat and leather. Aron Shamar’s wrists ached where the cuffs dug into his skin. A year and a half. That’s how long it had been since they dragged him from his hideout kicking and screaming. Back when he still thought he was somebody.

Back when he was still a man.

The Black Revolution changed everything. Streets he used to walk like a king now spat on his shadow. His father and grandfather? Executed in the public square. His mother? Collared and leashed taken away, he thought that her life ended soon after.

And Aron?

They made sure he got special treatment.

The prison was all Black except for him. Concrete walls echoed with laughter whenever he stumbled in chains. Worst of all? The warden was Xavier—that same Black kid Aron had gotten expelled from university years ago. Back then, Aron made him watch as he took Xavier’s girlfriend and broke her completely to become a obedient slave.

Now Xavier owned the key to his cage.

The first night was the worst. Strip-searched by guards who whistled at his pale body. Fingers probing places that burned with shame. Then the real training began.