It was a classic judo throw. There was a soft sound of surprise and then the man flipped, landing agilely on his feet as he used her grip on him to jerk her forward into a throw of his own.
She landed hard on her back, blinking up at the man. Much of his face was in shadow, but she registered the dark hair and piercing eyes.
She didn't recognize him, and he definitely wasn't Graydon's man. Likely not Luatha either, given the dark hair.
It was all the analysis she had time for before he was on her again, reaching down and grabbing her shirt.
She jackknifed up, trapping his arm against her as she got one leg around it.
He growled as she started putting pressure on the joint. He picked her up and slammed her down. Then again, when her grip didn't loosen.
Pain ran up her spine as her grip broke. She kicked him in the face in retaliation.
There was a wordless shout from their right.
Kira didn't hesitate, kicking at his knee, savagely happy when her foot connected with a crunching sound.
It didn't stop him. He roared, tackling her as she made it to her feet.
She landed back on the ground with an oomph as he fought to pin her arms and legs. She headbutted him, pain blazing from her forehead.
He didn't rear back as she expected, though he did curse, the sound vicious.
She smiled.
Kira wiggled for better leverage, punching up with her hips, while simultaneously grabbing one of his wrists and throwing her weight against that arm. His grip broke as he crashed onto the ground next to her.
She rolled on top, punching down with everything she had.
He didn't make it easy for her, protecting his face and neck.
A force hit her from the side, carrying her off her attacker.
Kira exploded into a frenzied rage, losing herself as she fought for her life.
"Enough, I'm not your enemy," Graydon roared.
She threw one more punch, gratified when it landed just below his eye. He barely turned with the force of the blow, his eyes narrowing.
"You done?" he asked.
She shrugged. "For now."
He bared his teeth at her. She bared hers right back.
The sight made him chuckle as his hands slid from her shoulders and he stood. He didn't help her up, which was probably a good thing, since she might have savaged his arm given the way she was feeling.
The strange man said something in their language.
"She doesn't understand Tuann. Stick to human standard," Graydon said as he looked around them.
She noticed with a start Graydon wore a pair of pants and nothing else. His shoulders and chest were wide and developed, tapering into a narrow waist. Every muscle was rigidly defined, making it hard to take her eyes off him. He had the sort of body the barbarian romance holos liked to feature. Women everywhere would pay a fortune for any scrap containing a picture of his chest and waist.
"Where did you get the hellcat?" the stranger asked, nodding at Kira.
"It's a long story," Graydon said, sparing a glance at her. "It's good to see you again, Finn."
"Can't say the same," Finn said sourly.
