Page 8 of Tethered to the World
Annora bit her lip as she lingered in the back of the group standing in the middle of the field, conscious of everyone’s eyes on her, wondering how exactly she got herself into this situation. It was that hypnotic pink hair. She could still feel it caressing her fingers. Despite being the center of attention, she couldn’t quite make herself regret what happened.
She stared directly ahead, doing her best not to draw attention to herself, but she was afraid that ship had already sailed. She’d fucked up, and now she had to face the consequences.
“You. Step forward.”
Annora didn’t even have to look up to know the menacing voice was talking to her. The crowd in front of her parted, and she nearly laughed at her now-defunct plan to blend in and not make waves at the new school. Lifting her chin, she strode toward the front of the class…it was better to get the beating over with.
The arrogant leader of the group was waiting for her. Camden cast a dismissive glance at her, then turned toward the rest of the crowd. “What the hell are you waiting for? An invitation? Back into your groups. Now.”
She watched the students scatter like cockroaches. A few of them gave her a commiserating look, but the rest didn’t even bother to hold back their smirks at her predicament.
The man didn’t wait for the others to scatter before he turned and began to circle her. The expression on his face said he wasn’t impressed. “You came to this school to learn. The arena isn’t for the faint of heart. You’re already behind in the class, which isn’t the way you want to start the year.”
Annora barely resisted rolling her eyes.
But she must not have covered her expression as well as she thought—he halted in front of her, his legs spread, his arms crossed and glared down at her. “I amuse you?”
She couldn’t help it…she wouldn’t lie. “A little.”
She heard a snicker but didn’t dare turn. A muscle ticked in the jaw of the man in front of her. “You think you’re special? What kind of training do you have?”
She watched him closely, used to sensing moods from the slightest tell—she had to in order to stay alive. He felt it was a waste of time to train her…and he might be right.
“Special? No. Training? Next to nothing. But I can duck and take a hit when I can’t escape.” She refused to share any more information than what he asked.
He stilled, like a predator right before it struck.
Annora relaxed, waiting for him to attack, but instead he nodded like he approved.
“It’s a start.” He lifted his chin and glanced over her head. “Go through the basics, let’s see what she can do.”
Annora turned sideways to keep the trainer in view, and grimaced when the man named Xander shrugged, then squared off opposite her.
“The rest of you, go train your group.” The large giant she practically assaulted hesitated, like he wanted to protest, but his smaller, red-headed friend hauled on his arm until they both left.
“Hit me.”
Annora pursed her lips at the order, then crossed her arms. “The best defense is not to get within reach of your attacker.”
Xander grunted, something in his teal gaze sharpening, then he held out his arms wide. “No retaliation.”
She lifted a brow at him, glanced around the arena to see the rest of the students were actually working out together…or beating the shit out of each other in some cases. Taking a deep breath, she strode forward, lifted her arms in a boxing move. The man was a tad over six feet, making him stand nearly a foot taller than her.
Instead of the amusement she expected to see, he waited patiently.
“What’s the purpose of the attack?”
He didn’t laugh or berate her, but answered honestly. “Fighting is a last resort. If you get into a fight, you want to put your attacker down.”
“Got it.” Annora nodded, then rolled her shoulders, and drew back her arm. Just when she was about to throw a punch, she dropped down to one knee and swung.
Her punch landed square in his balls.
The man grunted, his arms immediately dropping to cup himself, and she quickly stood, bringing up her knee hard and fast, using the weight of her whole body to strike him in the face. She danced away, never once removing her gaze from his as he toppled over backwards.
“Holy shit.”
Annora glanced up to see the redhead watching them with his mouth open…seconds before the guy across from him threw a punch that knocked him on his ass. When Xander began to push himself up on his hands and knees, she winced. “You asked for it.”
