Page 56 of Us Dark Few

That was a given.

Takeshi waited until she nodded before he continued. “Finally,” he took a step toward her, “if I get the barest inkling that you’re attempting to use any weapons or skills outside this arena against me, what happens?”

Her anxiety peaked, but she answered firmly, “You’ll kill me.”

Takeshi tensed and nodded. “This is your one and only reminder.”

He stood there resolutely. Khalani wouldn’t test if he was bluffing. From the short time she’d known him, she realized one thing—if Takeshi Steele made a threat, he meant it.

“I understand.” Her spine straightened.

Khalani was as ready as she’d ever be.

“Good. Now, attack me.” Takeshi stopped right in the center of the ring, his arms hanging low by his sides and his stance widening as he faced her.

“Attack you?” Did she hear him right?

He lifted an eyebrow. “That’s right. Now’s your chance to attack the Captain of Braderhelm, Kanes. Or are you all talk?”

Her eyes lit up at his words.

Maybe it was revenge that fueled her. Or desire for payback for every lick of pain she received in Braderhelm. She rolled her neck, her muscles bristling with anticipation.

Here we go.

Her fists raised to chest level as she inched toward Takeshi. He remained perfectly still, not a muscle twitching. Only his eyes tracked her every movement with intense focus.

Even though Khalani was the one moving toward him, she felt like prey.An energy radiated from him, a silent excitement that got her blood pumping faster. She was an arm’s length away now.

Was she really going to do this?

Khalani glanced at his eyes, still unsure. Takeshi just lowered his head.

That was all the confirmation she needed.

She pushed forward and swung a punch toward his face.

So fast she barely caught the movement, Takeshi leaned to the side and snatched her wrist. In the next millisecond, he swung his foot toward the back of her ankle, using her weight against her.

Before Khalani knew what was happening, she fell right on her back, the breath rushing out of her lungs.

Takeshi stood over her calmly, placing his hands on his hips. “Do you know how I was able to do that so easily?”

Her face flushed. “Because you’re stronger than me?”

“No. You will learn that it has nothing to do with strength. On your feet,” he instructed, stepping back.

Khalani ground her teeth and heaved her body to stand up. She didn’t understand how his massive body could move with such fluidity while she swayed and stumbled like a drunkard. She closed her eyes to bring her mind back to center.

The next thing she knew, her feet were swept out from under her, and she crashed face-first to the ground. Pain lanced through her nose, but she quickly sprang to her feet.

“What the hell was that?!” Khalani yelled. She touched her nose and winced.

Takeshi gazed at her with no remorse. “You never take your eyes off your opponent, Kanes. Again.”

She tried to draw in slow, steady breaths, but felt the heat rising as her fists clenched tightly at her sides. Takeshi squared his body to face her.

Khalani moved faster, hoping to catch him off guard. She angled downward, aiming for a body shot to his stomach while keeping an eye on his legs.

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