Page 95 of Stranded with the Alien

“Can I try?”

“No. It’s very painful.”

“All right, well at least I know. What about other weak points?”

“Vraxians do not have weak points.”

“Groin?”

“Not especially.”

“Well, you don’t have balls, I know that.”

“Yes, I understand it’s uncomfortable for human males to be struck on the testicles.”

“And then some. I’ve seen dudes puke when they get kicked in the nuts.”

“Hm. That is worth knowing. Thank you.”

“Your turn. If you were me, facing a big angry snake-guy without a weapon, how would you disable him?”

“Go for the ankle.”

She blinked.

“Huh?”

“It’s obvious. You cannot reach the head. The serpetri protect the body. But a Vraxian’s feet are usually bare. And their ankles are relatively easy to…”

Kara span in a perfect leg sweep, her foot connecting with the front of Vahn’s ankles. He toppled forward like a felled tree. She landed astride his back and put her hand on the joint where his serpetri met his body.

“And now I can dislocate your alien tentacles,” she said gleefully. Vahn sighed in exasperation.

“You are tenacious,kalehsha.But don’t underestimate how violent a Vraxian can be. I’m holding back for obvious reasons. Others won’t.”

“Then teach me.” She rolled off his back and lay next to him so that her nose was nearly touching his. “Train me. Make me stronger. Faster.”

“You’re already strong and fast. For a human.”

“If I practice with you, I’ll get better. And face it, how else are we going to pass the time?”

He raised a brow.

“I have a few suggestions.”

She laughed.

“And we’ll get round to them all, snake-boy. I promise. But I’m serious. I want to train.”

“Very well.” He got to his feet and folded his arms. “Give me fifty push-ups.”

“Oh, come on. That’s not…”

“Fifty! Now!”

Grumbling, she did as she was told.

Over the next few months they trained every day. Kara, already a proficient kick-boxer, learned how to anticipate Vahn’s serpetri by watching the flex of his muscles and the direction of his gaze. Her movements became faster, more fluid.

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