My lips parted with a sharp inhalation. Something warm flooded me, gathering low in my belly, and for a terrible, devastating second, I forgot where I was.

I was intoxicated by the way she looked at me, as if I were a morsel she wanted to devour.

It moved.

My instincts screamed at me and I reacted in time, snapping back to reality at the last second

I turned to dodge him as his arm wrapped around me, felt the brush of his hand against my back, and launched myself into a backflip. My shoulders hit the ground, but I used the momentum to spring back to my feet.

My back hadn't touched the floor, so it didn't count.

Concentrate, I ordered myself fiercely. He's trying to distract you. Don't let him—

He was behind me.

My breath caught in my throat. I turned around, but it was too late.

He came at me with the full weight of his skill, blow after blow, forcing me to defend myself instead of attacking.

I blocked, dodged, and retreated, but he wouldn't give in.

And then he was close again. His c