Once a monster…

My lips parted on a sharp inhale. Something warm flooded through me, pooling low in my belly, and for one terrible, devastating second, I forgot where I was. Drunk on the way he was looking at me, like I was a snack he wanted to devour. He moved. My instincts screamed at me, and I snapped back to awareness just in time. I twisted away as his arm came around me, felt the brush of his hand against my back, and threw myself into a backward roll. 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. Focus, I told myself fiercely. He's trying to distract you. Don't let him- He was behind her. My breath caught. I spun, but it was too late. He was coming at me with the full weight of his skill, strike after strike, forcing me to defend rather than attack. I blocked, dodged, and retreated but he kept coming. And then he was close again. His chest nearly brushed mine as he leaned in, his breath warm aga