Chapter 33

I kept my eyes wide, innocent. Sometimes it was harder for a person to hit someone that looked like an easy mark. Sometimes. This was not one of those times.

As soon as the bell tolled, Etna sprang forward. Heat seared along my skin and I forced myself to stay relaxed. I didn't want to give her the satisfaction of wincing.

She swung wide, claws glittering on the tips of the fingers of her open hand. I dropped below her hand, anticipating the knee that flung toward my face.

I managed to slap both hands on her knee and push backward using her own momentum to slide away.

Her skin was hot against my palms. Enough that I hissed and drew my hands up. They were red, but not burnt. So painful, but not enough to actually burn me, as long as I didn't touch her for longer than absolutely necessary.

Which meant no grappling. Quick hits and back out. I could do that.

My body dropped low, automatically movin