Abyss - Book Five of the Alpha Series - MxM

Chapter 6

As I adjust my stance, I feel out of practice, and Tonic starts the slow circle. I immediately recognize Verando's typical method for sizing up his opponent. It amuses me slightly, and I smile, glad the two seem to have found common ground. 

While their relationship has been rocky since Delta's death, Tonic seems to have found some 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 straightforward. 

"No magic, ya wee devil." Tomas reminds me, making me scoff at the thought of cheating. I suppose there was always that option. Verando often told me that those with honor were the ones dead on the floor. 

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 Tonic and hold onto him, so I'll have to adapt my style from the lycan method. 

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 can 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, 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 hope that Tonic has not worked on his flexibility as 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 expression. 

A knife isn't much different from wielding ice; it's fluid and must be precise. 

"Don't get cocky," Tonic 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. "You could have stabbed me!"

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. 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." 

"I said 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 is only two inches shorter than Verando, and I try to recall if the man had ever truly sat upon me, for the weight is immense. 

It amazes me that my warlord can be so gentle in moments like these. Yet, I'm reminded of what my father had created, the ultimate soldier. 

"Tonic, stop." I hear Verando's concern, but I don't take my eyes off 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.