She flexed that internal muscle she associated with theki,and the lasso tightened, halting his movement.
Surprise reflected off Graydon's face, and she chortled at his shock as he was yanked beneath the surface of the waves.
That was her chance. The web she'd spun withki, creating dozens of wire-thin currents to impede his progress, wouldn't delay him long. Kira sliced through the water toward the shore, reaching for every bit of speed she had.
Her feet touched bottom, and she stretched, victory within reach.
He yanked her back, murmuring in her ear. "Nice try. Give up yet?"
"You should know by now, I don't know the meaning of the word," Kira taunted. She drove her elbow into his face, a victorious grin chasing across her face at his muffled curse as he dropped her.
That'd teach him not to take victory for granted.
She sloshed forward, feeling thekibuild. She tried to hurry, the water fighting her. He barked a word and a wave crested, sending her tumbling. She scrabbled at the seabed as it dragged her backward, dumping her at Graydon's feet in waist-high water.
She burst from the water, aiming a punch at the arrogant angle of Graydon's jaw. His head shifted as one hand changed the trajectory of hers. "I believe this is my win."
"Not yet," Kira snarled.
She thrust the heel of her palm into his chest, much as she had the woman from House Dethos. Unlike the woman, Graydon barely budged as pain rocketed through her wrist and palm.
Graydon's hand was gentle as it cradled hers where her hand still rested on his chest. "Was that a love tap? I barely felt it."
Kira bared her teeth. Love tap, her ass.
She kicked out, aiming for his knee. Graydon stumbled sideways, recovering in time to block the two punches she aimed at the side of his head. He grabbed one of her arms, twisting. Kira twisted with it, unprepared for him to shove her away.
This time she was the one to stumble, barely defending against him as he hammered a blow against her side. She caught it with a side block, her grin bloodthirsty and vicious. Another man might have retreated. Not Graydon. His answering grin invited her to reciprocate.
Normal ocean waves battered at them, making footing difficult.
Kira thrilled at the challenge, whipping a feint at his head before dropping and hammering both fists into the side of his knee. It collapsed, a grunt of pain leaving Graydon.
Was that love tap enough for him?
She didn't get the chance to dwell on her victory as he followed up with his own feint and lunge, forcing her to back away. They fought like that, each gaining and losing ground as they battled.
"What's wrong? A little tired?" he asked, his chest moving from his exertions.
"Please, this is nothing," she returned, as out of breath as him.
They leaped toward each other, coming together with a crash. Pain blossomed along Kira's side and arms. She ignored it, returning the favor seconds later when Graydon's guard dropped.
He shoved her back, using his bigger mass and greater strength as a battering ram.
Kira cursed as a wave nearly sent her under. The same wave caused his balance to wobble.
She moved before he could recover, latching onto his arm and attempting a judo throw. He let his balance fall forward, changing his grip at the last minute and taking her with him.
She felt her balance reach the point of no return and sucked in a breath as they both went under. Graydon wrapped her in a bear hug and rolled them away from shore.
She brought her legs up, planting them against his belly and shoving. He resisted, and for a split second, she feared she wouldn't get free. She strained, putting more force into her legs. She popped free, her spine hitting the sea bed.
She floated up, blinking into the oddly lit water. Finally, noticing how bright it had gotten. Small balls of light coalescing around their bodies until it looked as if they were glowing.
Kira forgot their battle, pushing herself toward the surface.
Graydon rose with her, hovering an arm’s length away as she touched the small glowing balls with wonder. What sort of creature or plant created such things?
