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“The cuffs themselves are weapons. Hands, elbows, forearms, and shoulders can still be used. I’ll play fair. But I’m not sure this is the best idea you’ve had.”
“Two coins on Dey,” Paesha said.
“Deal.” Althea grinned before looking at me apologetically. “Sorry, Dey.”
“Don’t be. You’ll be the one buying drinks tonight.”
She laughed, the soft sound filling the space around us as the links clicked in place, and she skipped away to stand next to Hollis. I’d never in my life understand that level of happiness in a world so terrible, even though, somewhere over our time together, I’d begun to feel the gentle roots of friendship digging into my heart. I didn’t trust myself enough to truly call any of them that.
“I’ll be nice.” Orin moved to stand feet shoulder-width apart, his eyes practically burning a trail along my skin.
“I really hope not,” I purred. “Because I refuse to make the same promise. You want to learn? I’ll teach you. But it’s never going to be because I’m nice.”
“Go!” Althea shouted, clapping her hands.
Orin raced forward. I easily stepped to the side, and he stumbled, losing his balance. It was nothing to stick a foot out and watch him fall to the ground without using his hands to brace himself.
“Do we help him up?” Althea’s sweet whisper made everyone but Orin laugh.
“I can still hear you.”
“Right. Sorry.”
He rolled to his back, and she grabbed his hands, grunting as she yanked him to his feet.
“Don’t lead with your head, Husband. Dead giveaway.”
“Pun intended?”
“Always.”
He planted his feet again, trying to shake his arms out. “I don’t want the advantage.”
“Take the advantage. You need it,” Hollis shouted from the side.
“Thea,” Orin growled, “switch my arms to the back. Make it fair.”
She ran forward, gripping the cuffs until they fell free. Once ready to start again, he nodded to me.
“Go!”
He wised up and didn’t approach at all this time. I moved in close, light on my feet as I bounced back and forth. Orin watched for several seconds before lunging again. His intention was to plant a shoulder into my gut, but rather than let him, I spun and landed a kick right to the side of his face. To his credit, he didn’t fall a second time. But the cheerful redhead behind us gasped, and I didn’t miss the way she reached for Paesha’s hand.
I could scare them all right now. I didn’t want to do that. I’d found a semblance of a home here, and beyond that, I’d never had to wonder from one night to the next if Regulas would be standing at my door, waiting for me.
When he came again, I let the hard sole of his boot land on my stomach. But when he straightened, he scowled before lifting a brow.
“Good job,” I said, forcing a breathless tone.
The next time, he tucked a shoulder, and I pretended to move too slowly. He made contact, and I stumbled.
“Change your mind?”
“No,” I said, keeping my voice level.
“It’s not exciting if you don’t have a blade in your hand, Maiden?”
I hated when he called me Maiden, and he damn well knew it.
