Page 150 of Interion

“Don't worry, Kay. I'd never hurt you. We'll start slow, and as you get the hang of it, we'll pick up the pace.”

I was afraid my voice would give away my reluctance, and he'd see what a coward I was. So I just nodded. Zion called me closer and began demonstrating his five attacks while I figured out counters based on all my training. I was embarrassed by my defense—every move seemed uncertain compared to his.

“Ready?” he asked once we'd finished the demonstration and I'd memorized how to block. Sparks gleamed in his eyes, and the shadows waited at the edge of the arena, just as he'd ordered. I opened my mouth to say yes but remembered an important detail.

“Wait! We don't have a safety word!”

He thought for a moment. His eyes fixed on me with an intensity that could only mean trouble.

“It's going to be a safety phrase: 'Zion is delicious.'”

I choked and started laughing. Then I put my hands on my hips in protest.

“Are you serious? I'm not saying that!”

“Then make sure you don't need to use it,” he challenged, a mischievous gleam in his eyes. “Ready?”

“Ready.”

Then he attacked, so fast I could barely process what kind of strike was coming, but at the last moment, I blocked it. Another strike followed and I blocked it, off-balance. He seized the opening and caught me in a chokehold. I lost my chance to defend, and suddenly his body was pressed against mine, one arm circling my neck and squeezing until I started running out of air.

“Say it,” he whispered in my ear.

“No!”

I tried to squirm free, but it was no use. He squeezed tighter, and bright spots began appearing at the edges of my vision.

“Say it, or we'll be here all night,” he warned.

So I gave in before I passed out.

“Delicious,” I spat. When the jerk didn't move, I added, “Zion is delicious.”

Finally, he released me, and I gasped desperately, bracing my hands on my knees. He held my arms to keep me from falling. I caught a different gleam in his eyes, but I didn't have the breath to even think about what it meant.

“You said you'd start slow!” I snapped once I could finally breathe again.

“And I did. I made the moves clear enough for you to understand and have time to defend.”

He positioned himself to attack again.

“There's no way that was slow. I barely had time to think,” I grumbled, getting into position.

“Then think faster.” He attacked.

This time he moved more slowly, and I managed to dodge the chokehold but fell right into another move, landing flat on my back. Zion crouched over me, pressing one knee to my chest. He wasn't trying to hurt me, but the weight compressed my ribs and lungs, making me gasp.

“Say it.”

“Zion is delicious,” I huffed, rolling my eyes. He got off me and extended a hand. I took it, and he pulled me up, smiling.

“See? It's not so bad.” The jerk circled me, preparing another attack.

“You're not the one eating dirt.” I got into position. Sweat was already running down my neck, and I was covered in dust from the ground.

“Eating dirt isn't my specialty, but I'd be happy to show off my skills elsewhere.”

He attacked again, but I was still reeling from his words, shocked by the obscenities running through my mind. I blocked the first strike clumsily. On the second, I staggered. On the third, he set up for the chokehold, but I twisted my body and landed an elbow to his stomach. It was one hell of an elbow, but he just kept coming as if he hadn't felt it. On the fifth move, he forced me to my knees with an arm lock, my face toward the ground. Pain flooded my shoulder.