IN ONE SMOOTH move, Toren snagged Meccan around the waist. The monk launched the man backward onto the gravel path. Meccan grunted with the hit. One second, the metal worker’s mouth was on him, and the next second, Toren had the male under him.

Toren’s fist connected with Meccan’s jaw with an audible crack.

Meccan flamed up to block. Toren did the same. The two blazes looked like they battled for dominance, the same as the men. The thing was, Meccan was no match for ...