Primus form came with increased power and strength. It was ideal for war, but she knew it took trial and error to use effectively.
Kira waited as he lumbered to his feet, smashing his fist into the tree that had offended him. It splintered.
If his primus was anything like hers, his prey drive would be all-consuming—especially since she'd thwarted him once. He'd fixate and be drawn into the hunt. He wouldn't be able to help it.
Kira's grin held anticipation.Well, buckle up, buttercup, this was going to be a frustrating experience in delayed gratification.
A puff of air escaped him, his hands opening and shutting as if anticipating burying his claws in her flesh.
Kira’s wave was taunting as she sprinted for the trees, calling over her shoulder. "Let's play follow the leader, shall we?"
The roar of a predator denied its prey proved her gamble had paid off.
Her smile fell from her lips as her pace flattened into a sprint. Now that she'd gotten its attention, it was time to see how fast he was.
Kira didn't let concern over the rest distract her. Finn would take care of them—or he wouldn't. Either way, their fate was out of her hands. All she could do was hold up her end of things. That was the only thing you could do in war. Do your part while hoping the next person down the line did theirs.
Underbrush cracked and rustled behind her. He was gaining.
Kira maintained her current speed. Getting too far in front of him would be risky. If he got distracted or stumbled on another Tuann, the situation could turn deadly.
Baiting. Whoever thought she'd be on this end of it?
The number of times she'd lost control of the primus form could be counted on one hand. You didn't even have to use all your fingers.
The concept was familiar as it was for all Curs. It only had to happen once for them to institute a protocol. Of course, it hinged on being on a warship where airlocks could be used as traps, and a berserker Kira could be spaced if it looked like she was going to compromise the integrity of the ship.
Sadly, no handy airlocks lurked in these trees.
"Do you have a plan or are you going to run around all day?" Jin asked.
While his tone was sarcastic, Kira could hear the tightness in Jin's voice.
"Working on it."
"Work faster. He's closing on you."
The smallest whisper of instinct warned Kira. She planted a foot, using it to launch herself sideways. The primus tore out of the bushes, his claws tearing into the trunk of the tree where she'd stood seconds before.
He whirled, swiping at her, his claws nearly cleaving her head from her shoulders. She dropped, rolling and gaining her feet in the next instant.
Reaching for herkiwas instinctive—and misguided. Her vision narrowed, black eating away at the edges. Her head throbbed a warning as she rebounded off that glass wall.
"Kira!" Jin screamed, his voice sounding like it was coming from a distance.
Instinct took over. She ducked, then raced forward, running two steps up the tree before pushing off, flipping in midair and kicking the primus in the head.
She landed several feet away, chest heaving as he shook his head as if batting away a fly. His tail thrashed. Good to know her blow hadn't even budged him. More evidence a physical confrontation wouldn't end well for her.
"What the hell was that?" Jin demanded.
Kira thumped her bracelet. "I tried to useki. It didn't work."
"No shit. You haven't been able to drawkisince Quillon put that on you."
Not for the first time, frustration ate at her. Weakness had never been something she accepted. That she had no choice at the moment, galled.
The primus attacked in the next second, leaving her no further room for self-pity. She was too preoccupied with surviving.
