Free Cipher by Aileen Erin

so fast, I could barely keep track of what they were doing. The one guy flipped and kicked, while Oliver blocked and spun, throwing another punch. It was a beautiful dance, and it did its job. I glanced down at the little kid next to me. His eyes were wide as he pressed his face to the fence. Even I had to admit, it was an impressive show.
    Mona let rip a two-fingered whistle that almost blew my eardrums and I tried to bite back a cringe.
    Holy crap. Could she draw any more attention?
    She started to climb the fence. “Take him to the fucking mat!” She screamed over the top of it and everyone around us turned to stare.
    I was wrong. She could definitely draw more attention.
    How long they could keep this fight up? Not that I minded, but both guys were putting their all into each move, and yeah, they were sweating and out of breath, but I would’ve been unconscious after that much exercise.
    The crowd around us shouted and Mona joined in.
    There was something about the guy Oliver was fighting. He was handsome, no doubt, but he appealed to me like no one I’d ever met before. It wasn’t just the way he looked. I couldn’t keep my eyes off him as he moved. My heart sped as the fight continued, and I took an involuntary step forward, my toes hitting the fence. Transfixed. I found myself holding my breath, and I forced myself to look away. It was too much. Too overwhelming.
    When I scanned the crowd, every face was riveted, too. So it’s not just me.
    He was magnetic. That made me feel a little better about staring. I shoved my hands in the pockets of my shorts, and let myself enjoy the display like everyone else.
    His gaze met mine. It was as if everything paused for a moment before moving again.
    He spun and met my gaze again. I glanced around, trying to figure out if it was really me he kept looking at or if there was some hot chick behind me that he was noticing. Or maybe just Mona?
    When I looked back into the ring, he was laughing as he fought. He said something to Oliver, who turned to look at me and Mona. Although none of that was enough to slow their kicks and punches.
    How could they be fighting and talking at the same time?
    He moved to kick Oliver, but Oliver caught his foot, tossing it away. He flipped through the air three times, and landed in front of me. He slid his fingers through the links. “Hey, Cipher,” he said. “I’m Marquez.”
    His eyes. It was his eyes that got to me. His skin was the most awesome light caramel color, his hair inky black, but his eyes were a light sea glass green that seemed to light from within. They made my breath shaky. My hands clammy.
    They felt like home.
    “Hi.” I managed to choke out. “Aren’t you a little busy to be flirting?”
    “I’m never too busy for you.” He winked.
    “Gross.” I turned to Mona, whose mouth hung open as she gawked. “Can you believe this guy?” I asked as I jerked my thumb at him.
    “Hang around after,” Marquez said.
    Three things about Marquez hit me like punches in the gut. He had a dual helix on his forearm, a raven in flight on his hand that looked identical to mine, and most shocking of all, I wanted to slather myself all over him.
    I already knew the first two, but the third… I was out. I’d never felt that kind of attraction to anyone, and it was way too much for me to even begin to handle.
    Marquez kipped up, and I stepped back from the mats.
    “Thank you for coming to the demonstration,” Oliver said loudly. “If you have any questions about the Black Helixes, you can head over to the tent on the right. You’ll find loads of information on what it’s like to be a Black and what it takes to earn your helix. Also look for anyone wearing black and sporting a tattoo like this.” He waved his hand along his bicep, showing off his Black Helix, except I was close enough to see it also had a bit of green in the pattern. Another dual helix.
    The crowd laughed as Oliver bowed.
    I took another step away from the fence,