Abyss - Book Five of the Alpha Series - MxM

Chapter 6

I feel out of practice as I adjust my stance and Tonic starts the slow circle. I recognize it immediately as it is Verando's typical method for sizing up his opponent. It amuses me slightly and I smile to myself, glad to see the two of them seemed to have found common ground. While their relationship had been rocky ever since the death of Delta, Tonic seems to have found some sort of happiness in Stefan. I think about the instructions I've been given, protect my innards, don't let him have access to my back, it all seems pretty simple. 

"No magic, ya wee devil." Tomas reminds and I roll my eyes. 

The distraction gives him his opportunity and I narrowly avoid the attempts to restrain one of my arms, knife fights aren't about running in and stabbing. They are about knowing how to keep your tender parts safe and knowing when to expose yourself to inflict damage. I'm not big enough to grab onto Tonic and hold onto him so I'll have to adapt my style from the lycan method just a bit. 

As much as I don't like her, Red gave me good advice on fighting a larger adversary. I let him come for me and I'm able to quickly move out of the way, using his extended limbs to lead him away and slip out of his grasp. Where he's gotten larger, his flexibility is down. I recall Verando complaining about his lack of maneuverability. Big muscle is slow muscle.  

When I think about Victor, I think about how he was a stationary force. He never ran anyone down. 

Tonic and Verando have a dangerous combination in that they aren't overly bulky but they hold a good deal of fitness. I have to just hope that Tonic has not worked on his flexibility if I duck out of the way, grab his extended arm, and smack his ribcage with the butt of my knife. There's a noise of approval from our engaged peanut gallery, Tonic growls at me and I hide my amused face. 

A knife isn't much different that wielding ice, it's fluid and it must be precise. "Don't get cocky." He says shortly as he knocks my feet out from under me. I grunt as I hit the ground and roll out of the way as he plunges the knife into the ground. 

"That was close!" I watch him, bewildered.

Tonic smirks. "I knew you'd move. You were watching me. Heads up." He jumps for me and I cry out as I'm tackled to the ground. He moves to plunge the knife into my chest and I knee him in the groin. He makes a rather unceremonious sound as he rolls off of me and I put the knife to his throat. 

"Sorry. Thought you'd move." 

"Don't get cocky." He snarls at me again, smacking my arm out of the way and easily jumping up to get on top of me again, this time he sits on my pelvis and moves to plunge the knife into my chest once more. I cross my arms, hardly able to block the immense weight. 

"Tonic, stop." I hear the concern in Verando's voice but I don't take my eyes off of him.

I can do this. I am not weak, not anymore. "Not yet." I snap, the blade is inches from my chest and I know that there's no wriggling out of this one. I take a deep breath and when I exhale the wind slips me out from between his legs and I'm behind him. 

"Hey. No magic!" Tonic accuses me, sweeping my legs out from under me as I climb to my feet. I barely catch myself in time, pushing off the balls of my feet to tackle him. Holding the knife over his chest which he is easily capable of preventing my attack. It's like fighting against concrete- useless. 

I back off quickly and his palm hits my cheek. I flinch, skirting backward, holding under my eye, he grips me firmly and holds the knife to my throat. I sigh. 

"Alright. Alright." I yield. We stand and shake hands as I press my chilled hand to my cheek. "I didn't think you'd grown so much. What the hell Tonic?" I lift his shirt to peek underneath and he swats at my hand, embarrassed. It softens me slightly. He's still Tonic, shy, self-conscious Tonic.