Page 49 of Bound to the Bounty Hunter

The other fighters had stopped their activities, forming a loose circle around us. I could feel the anticipation in the air – they were hoping for a show, for blood to be spilled.

I met the Mondian’s gaze steadily. “I have no quarrel with you or anyone here,” I said evenly. “I’m just trying to survive, same as the rest of you.”

The Mondian’s eyes narrowed. “Oh, but you do have a quarrel, little gray man. You see, I’m Renak, and I run things around here. And you? You’re nothing but fresh meat until you prove otherwise.”

He lunged forward, aiming a massive fist at my face. I sidestepped, letting his momentum carry him past me. Renak whirled, snarling in frustration.

“I don’t want to fight you,” I said, trying to stay calm. “There’s no point in weakening ourselves before the real battles begin.”

Renak paused, considering my words.

Had I gotten through to him?

Then he charged again, roaring in fury.

Apparently not.

I braced myself, ready to defend, but unwilling to escalate the situation further.

Renak’s massive fist whistled past my ear as I ducked. The crowd roared, hungry for blood. I knew I couldn’t avoid this fight any longer.

“Fine,” I growled. “You want a fight? Let’s do this.”

Renak’s lips curled into a vicious grin. “Now we’re talking, Vinduthi.”

We circled each other, sizing up our opponent. Renak was bigger, but I was faster. I’d need to use that to my advantage.

He lunged again, this time feinting left before swinging right. I barely managed to block, the impact jarring my arm. Damn, he was strong.

I countered with a quick jab to his solar plexus, satisfaction flaring as he grunted in pain. But he recovered quickly, grabbing my arm and throwing me across the room.

I hit the wall hard, the breath knocked from my lungs. As I struggled to my feet, Renak charged.

At the last second, I sidestepped, and he slammed into the wall. The concrete cracked under the impact.

“Not bad, little man,” Renak wheezed. “But not good enough.”

He caught me with a vicious backhand, sending me sprawling. As I rolled back up, I noticed the other fighters closing in. This wasn’t good.

A Krell lunged at me from behind. I spun, catching its arm and using its momentum to throw it into Renak. They went down in a tangle of limbs.

But now I was surrounded. A Volcryn slashed at me with its blades. I dodged, but not fast enough. Pain flared across my chest as the blade found its mark.

I snarled, my instincts kicking in. Time seemed to slow as adrenaline surged through my system. I could see every move before it happened.

The next fighter that came at me - some species I didn’t recognize - found himself on the ground, neck snapped before he even realized what happened.

I moved like lightning, dodging blows and delivering devastating counterattacks. Bodies hit the floor around me.

A primal roar filled the air. It took me a moment to realize it was coming from me.

Through the chaos, I caught sight of Renak. He was hanging back, watching. Smart. He was letting the others wear me down.

But I wasn’t going to give him that satisfaction. I redoubled my efforts, tapping into reserves of strength I didn’t know I had.

Finally, it was just Renak and me again. We were both breathing hard, covered in blood - some our own, some not.

“Impressive,” Renak rumbled. “But this ends now.”

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