British Exchange Agent

Chapter 23

My words came out as a shocked question, almost catching in my throat. My eyes flickered to Cyrus, to see that he had raised an eyebrow.

"I didn't know she'd be here tonight. I thought she'd just had a tournament?" He murmured to me, bending down so his warm breath fanned my face. I took a step back from him and nodded, ignoring his sharp eyes.

"That's what I thought."

"Well, well. Looks like Midnight will be our first girl in the ring!" The man called out into the microphone. I sent a glare Cyrus's way.

"You don't let girls box here?"

He glanced down at me, his eyebrow raised.

"We let them - it's just that no girl's ever wanted to."

"Oh."

I turned my attention back towards the ring, ignoring Cyrus's gaze on my skin. Jewel raised her fists in a strong stance, her abs tensing. She seemed to tune out her opponent's words as he shouted insults to her, her eyes focused. Deadly. I glanced at Cyrus, and was surprised to see him glaring at the man.

"You alright?" I asked, eyeing him. His eyes flit down to me, his jaw clenching.

"This boxing centre does not tolerate abuse from the boxers." He stated icily, sending another hard glare the man's way. "'Smasher' won't be coming here again."

My lips quirked up.

"Let's just hope she wipes the floor with him, then." I murmured, watching as they prepared to fight. Cyrus glanced at me again, before his attention was drawn back towards the ring.

"Three! Two! One! FIGHT!" The crowd shouted along with the microphone man.

My ears were suddenly assaulted with screams and hollers, causing me to wince and step back slightly. The man to my left was jumping around disturbingly, his strong arm managing to whack me backwards. I stumbled into Cyrus, whose arms caught me, wrapping around my waist. The man withered as Cyrus glowered at him, his face murderous. He gulped, taking a good few strides away from me, before nervously tearing his gaze away.

I shakily pushed myself out of Cyrus's warm grip, my head only aching slightly. The cut on my hand, though, stung terribly, like I was being stabbed continuously with knives. His eyes softened as they looked down at me.

"You alright?" He asked, his hands ready to steady me if needed. I nodded slowly.

"Should be." I breathed, cradling my wrist. I looked back towards the ring, and my eyes widened in surprise. Jewel was blocking hit after hit, her arms and legs flying around at dizzying speeds. She effortlessly, expertly, blocked a kick and sent one back, before her fist went crashing into his temple. He let out a groan, staggering.

Using this to her advantage, Jewel swiftly punched him again, causing a deafening crack to resound around the building. The crowd fell silent as she took him down in two lightening kicks, his head banging against the ring's floor.

Her eyes were deadly. Glacier, as she turned to face us. If she was surprised to see me, she didn't let it show - her face remained emotionless as she stared the crowd down, before going over to pick up her hoodie, stepping out of the ring.

Everyone stared at her in shock as she slipped it back on, making her way towards us. The silence was interrupted by my slow claps.

"I knew you were good 'Midnight', but man." I let out a whistle, shaking my head. "I didn't know you were that good."

She smirked, the first sign of emotion on her face, and brushed away a lock of her.

"I try." She glanced at Cyrus. "I didn't expect to see you here."