Cotlin smiled and extended his hand for a shake but the man just grumbled and narrowed his eyes. He was looking at Cotlin with the same hostility, other women were looking at Diana, she noticed.
Cotlin whispered something and suddenly she wanted to reach there and listen to him. The way his lips moved was magic. She wondered how the man did not feel his charm?
"You can not go closer or those women would tear you down, treating you as a threat. And though I will protect you from the men, I will not be a help when it comes to Cotlin's admirers. And trust me… there are many of them." he chuckled again, making her shrink back, not from fear but the smell of cheap alcohol coming from his mouth.
Only Cotlin did not smell, she decided. The bell rang again and the opponent of Cotlin landed a blow, forceful at the perfect angle to jar the teeth and bring stars to his eyes.
