Orion took my free hand, rubbing slow circles over my knuckles. "Don't worry too much. She can hold her own," he said, and I nodded, choosing to trust his judgement over my own racing thoughts.
"Start!" the announcer waved his hand, and the man lunged forward immediately, throwing a punch before Roland even had room to breathe. She took the hit across the cheek and coiled from the impact, stumbling back a little. Half-ripping off the sofa, and I wanted to scream, ‘that is cheating!’ but Orion tilted his head towards me just slightly, and I forced myself to lean back into the cushions instead, my nails digging into my own palm.
The man grinned, flexing for the crowd, a leering smile stretched wide across his face. "Females are meant to be used," he sneered, and I gritted my teeth in ann
