I don’t even see it coming. A blur—too fast. His arm wraps around my neck, locking into place before I can blink.
I freeze.
His hold is firm, not choking. Controlled. His stance anchored behind me, solid as stone.
I’m caught.
How did he—? I’m stunned, sore, exhausted—and now I can’t move.
Thane doesn’t tighten his hold, but doesn’t let go either. He pauses, keeping me in place. His voice is low, steady, right at my ear.
“Okay. Now what do you do to get out of this?”
I twist hard, trying to slip free, but his grip is like iron, holding me in place.
Fine.
I slam my elbow back, aiming for his ribs. and it feels like slamming into granite. Pain shoots up my arm. I bite back a gasp.
Thane doesn’t even grunt. Doesn’t react.Did I even hit him?
I shake out my arm, elbow still stinging from the impact. My pride aches more than the bone.
Fine.
I go for his foot next, stomping down, hard. He shifts, avoiding it effortlessly, while still maintaining his hold on me.
I grit my teeth.
“Alright,” I say, exasperated, my voice muffled by his grip. “I have no idea. You might as well kill me now.”
His arm loosens, and he lets go completely. I stumble forward slightly, rubbing at my neck as I turn to face him.
Thane crosses his arms. “Let’s switch.”
I blink. “What?”
“Put me in the same hold.”
I hesitate. This feels like a trap.
“Go on,” he says, tilting his head slightly. “Let me show you how to break free—even from someone bigger than you.”
Warily, I step behind him, mimicking his earlier stance. I wrap my arm around his neck, locking it beneath his chin, bracing the way he had. I try to hold tight.
Gods, it’s like wrapping my arms around the trunk of a tree. All solid muscle and zero give. I have no idea how this is supposed to work.
“Good,” he says, voice completely unconcerned. “Now—watch.”
He lowers his center of gravity in an instant, his body dropping slightly. I feel my stance shift awkwardly, my balance thrown off just by that one movement.
“First,” he says. “Lower your center. Makes you harder to move, forces your opponent to adjust.”
I tense, trying to stay locked in.
“Next—don’t pull away. Turn into the hold.”
Before I can process, he twists into me. His shoulder hits my chest, my grip falters.
