The man's grip tightened on my arm, and I could feel his fingers dig into my skin, sharp and unwelcome. I took a breath, ready to pull away when Maeve's voice cut through the air with an authority that surprised me.
"Do not touch her," she said, voice cool and deadly calm. Her gaze was fixed on the man, her eyes narrowing as she stepped closer.
I could almost see him flinch, though he tried to cover it with a cocky smirk, his hand still lingering on my arm.
"And who are you?" he sneered, looking Maeve up and down with a dismissive air. "Just the friend?"
Maeve tilted her head, a hint of a smirk on her lips as she took a small, menacing step closer.
"Just the friend?" she repeated, her voice low and dripping with disdain. "Maybe you're hard of hearing, but I told you not to touch her."