17-year-old Etta is broken. She's a slave, a coward, and a murderer. Kids come to her for help, then she watches as they're torn apart. There isn't anyone who can save her now. In DeMarcus, the weekly munera is all anyone can talk about. Bets are taken and slaves fight to the death, their trainers raking in their glory. All except Etta. A new girl, Matilda, is Etta's last chance to prove her worth as a trainer. When Matilda disappears, Etta realises she wants to find her. Matilda has a secret and Etta must find out what it is.