Page 54 of Shadow's Chosen

"I'm going to enjoy this," Jona said, circling.

"I was just going to say the same." Nezka smiled back. He would make this quick.

One signal from Krow and Nezka was forced back by Jona's sudden swift attack. The drogin was small, but he was extremely agile. Jona shot away before Nezka could get a hit on him, attempting to get around to Nezka's back. When Nezka turned to strike again, Jona ran for the rails of the ring then jumped away again, staying out of Nezka's reach.

Nezka knew what he was playing at; putting himself in retreat, waiting for the right moment to make a move. He was also hoping to outpace him, making Nezka drain his energy. Nezka watched him carefully, moving in unison, realizing he'd have to let Jona get his attack in before he could make his own.

Nezka lunged forward and deliberately missed, letting his fist go long to see what the drogin would do. Jona slipped behind him and jumped on his back in one quick move, wrapping an arm tight around his neck.

His grip was impressive, Nezka had to give him that. He was probably really good at knocking his opponents out this way. And quickly too.

Too bad it wouldn't work.

Nezka tried to elbow him first in the gut, but the blows slipped past as Jona swung himself back. Nezka went for his groin next, but once again, the drogin kept his body back while tightening his grip. As his vision began to blur, Nezka bent low, moving his body to the side then behind, swinging Jona around to his front then quickly grabbing one of the drogin's legs and throwing him up, forcing him to lose his balance and his grip. With the drogin now in his grasp, Nezka threw him off, slamming him down on the ground.

Jona scrambled to his feet, but Nezka was faster. He took hold of his ankle, dragging him back. Jona tried to kick himself free, but it was too late. Nezka threw himself on top of him and started throwing heavy, violent blows.

For a brief instant, everything went red. He couldn't recall the last time he'd allowed that to happen, but he wanted Jona to pay. In blood.

When he finally came out of his sickening rage, Nezka had to remember for a moment what he was even doing before he could make himself stop. He pulled himself back and rose, breathing heavily, trying to make himself calm. The crowd shouted, but he barely heard them. His head was buzzing; his spines, standing straight, trembled as his back tingled. He shut his eyes tight then opened them slowly. He glanced down and no longer recognized his opponent. Jona lay unmoving. There were claw and bite marks on Nezka's arms and torso where Jona must have tried to force him off, but it hadn't worked.

Nezka's eyes flicked upward and met Elise's, who stared wide-eyed, looking pale, almost grayish. Afraid. He wished he could comfort her but knew he couldn't. Not yet. He shifted his gaze to Krow, who hadn't moved, not even to applaud. He looked back at Nezka with a not-so-amused expression then called one of his men over and said something Nezka couldn't hear.

Nezka left the ring, took the towel from the girl offering to clean him and wiped himself off instead. He put his gear back on as Krow ordered his people to get out and for his men to carry Jona away.

Krow watched Nezka closely then fixed him with a tight smile as his eyes read murder.

"I'd congratulate you, Red Blade, but I'm afraid I wasn't all that impressed this time," he said, his smile tightening as his eyes narrowed. "But I am a man of my word, just the same. Even if you nearly killed my guy..."

Nezka came around and grabbed Elise. "And you won't come after us. That was the deal."

Krow's smile slipped a little then stretched back into a grin. He shrugged, took up a glass from nearby and drank. "Yes. I won't come after you. You may pass with your pet. We won't try to stop you." Krow dropped his glass on the ground, letting it shatter. "Now get the fuck out. I'm done with you."

"Sounds good."

Nezka pulled Elise away. Krow's men let them pass, following them out of the lounge and through the club.

The light of dawn was just beginning to break as they came down the stairs and walked under the gatehouse over to his parked two-wheeler. Elise stirred behind him, muttering something low, and when Nezka glanced around, he saw the men casually leaning against their vehicles, eyes fixed on them. Nezka unbound Elise and got on the two-wheeler, his hand itching to unclip her gun from his belt and start shooting. Instead, he waited for her to get on and situate herself behind him, then he backed up and moved slowly forward to the other end of the tunnel. When the men were out of earshot, he turned to her. "Hold on tight. Once we start on the bridge, it's going to get rough."

"You think they are going to chase us?" Elise said from behind him.

"I don't know." It was an honest answer. He knew trusting men like Krow to keep his word was foolish. Better to be prepared. "Get your gun ready if you can."

He felt her hand against him as she fumbled with the clasp on his belt and pulled the gun free. As she gripped the gun tight, he felt her arms wrap around him.

The exit was ahead, and Nezka picked up speed. As they shot out of the tunnel, he pushed the two-wheeler even faster. He heard no roaring of cars behind him, and when he looked in the rear sights, he saw no one following behind. What he did see was several guards on top of the gatehouse roof watching them go.

No. Not just watching.

Nezka's eyes narrowed on one in particular, crouching at the edge. As he focused in, he saw him holding a long range weapon.

The first shot went off with a sharp crack and a flash of white, like lightning. Nezka heard the woosh as the bullet passed, hitting the road. Nezka cursed and swerved the two-wheeler to one side. Another shot went off, the bullet hitting right below Nezka's foot. He swerved again and again, back and forth, hoping to make them miss each time. The jolting from side to side kept Elise holding tight. The end wasn't far, but the bullets kept coming and wouldn't stop until they were out of sight.

As Nezka straightened out, Elise twisted around and let off her gun. The blades of light didn't meet their targets but did make them halt and cover. Elise fired until the weapon's energy bank was empty. With the gun finished, Elise tossed it away with a shout of rage. Holding on once more, Nezka swerved, dodging another bullet.

The end was just ahead. Once they were off the bridge and into the city, they would be safe. Nezka focused on the road and buildings ahead.

They were going to make it.

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