Page 67 of Us Dark Few

She cringed the whole time, but Takeshi had a point. He refused to move on until he was wholly assured Khalani knew how to eviscerate someone’s optical organ.

“Good.” His eyes held a dangerous glint. “Turn around.”

“You told me I shouldn’t take my eyes off the enemy.”

“Right now’s the exception. Turn.” He made a slow swivel motion with his finger.

She hesitated and had to fight every instinct warring inside her as she reluctantly gave him her back.

Khalani’s breath quickened as she waited, her gaze fixed on the bars but her focus was outward, using all her senses to pick up Takeshi’s movement. Several moments passed, and she was about to ask what he was doing when he attacked.

No footsteps or heavy breaths betrayed Takeshi’s presence. He was a silent assassin. In a single heartbeat, strong arms enveloped her from behind.

His body was solid as a rock, and she grunted, straining to dislodge him. Her feet scuffled as she tried to push him back, but Takeshi was an immovable force.

He breathed heavily in her ear as she exerted every spec of energy, failing to loosen his hold.Sweat trickled down her brow as she continued to struggle. She might as well push against a wall for all the success she was having.

“Easy there, Kanes,” Takeshi whispered.

Khalani shivered at the vibration of his voice tickling her ear but kept trying to break his tenacious grip.

It was no use. After several minutes, her muscles were so exhausted that Takeshi practically held her up. She stopped fighting, and they stood still, both breathing heavily.

The top of her head barely reached Takeshi’s shoulder, and he encircled her completely.

Sweat dripped down his forearms that were wrapped around her. His alluring, musky scent trickled through her nose, and Khalani gritted her teeth.

Why was she noticing details like that?

“If someone grabs you from behind like this, first, you need to calm down. It will be challenging, but conserving your energy is crucial. Then, clasp your hands together and use your elbow to hit your assailant in the stomach as hard as possible. Your elbow is one of the strongest parts of your body. I promise you, they will let go,” his voice lowered, arms still wrapped around her.

“Is this the part where I elbow you in the stomach?”

“Not unless you want to be restrained the rest of the week.” He paused. “The kind you won’t enjoy.”

Her stomach clenched and goosebumps prickled on the back of her neck. “No, thank you,” she grumbled.

“What I thought.” Takeshi sounded amused. “Now that we have that settled. Let’s practice the motion.”

He walked her through the technique, and when she felt more confident, he slowly loosened his grip and turned her around to face him. She lifted her chin defiantly, and he returned the heated gaze.

They were the only two people in the room, but it was like they were the sole occupants of Braderhelm. She could almost feel the tendrils of scalding energy flowing along her body.

“Last part,” he slowly drawled. “If your enemy comes at you directly from the front and overwhelms you...”

He held a large hand to her throat, a few inches away.Her gaze flickered uneasily as she swallowed deeply.

“Kanes.” Takeshi brought her attention back up to him. “When we prepare, we go all the way. Tuck away your fear.”

She could do this. She needed to.

Khalani exhaled and nodded, giving him the go-ahead. Takeshi didn’t waste another second, and his hands closed the distance, wrapping around her throat. She could still breathe, but her eyes widened as he held her with a firm, unrelenting grip.

He frowned at the panic in her eyes, and the slightest hint of consternation flashed across his face.

She suspected he might let go, but a steady resolve cemented over his expression. He started walking her toward the lining of the bars, hands still wrapped around her throat.

Khalani could do nothing but walk backward until her back hit the edge of the cage. Takeshi leaned over her, his eyes burning intensely.

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