Page 44 of Captured By The Alien (Starbound #2)

They circled each other warily. Layahn towered over Kara but she didn’t make the mistake of rushing in. She wasn’t going to underestimate the human this time.

Kara knew there was no way Layahn would fight fair. The Vraxan had made it pretty clear she was going to try to fuck her up, so Kara wasn’t taking any chances.

When Layahn made her move, she was ready.

The Vraxian came at her fast in a fluid stream of movements, one after another. A punch, a feint, a roundhouse kick that nearly caught Kara full in the face with her talons. Only a last minute block saved her eyes.

“Layahn, watch your attack,” Ela reminded her. “Low kicks only.”

The Vraxian grunted, barely acknowledging the reprimand. She launched into a new set of moves which Kara was forced to parry. In a split second lull she went for a leg-sweep and managed to unbalance Layahn long enough to land a kick to her midriff. Her opponent backed off, holding her stomach. Kara grinned.

“Not enjoying a taste of your own medicine? Be glad I didn’t have my boot-claws out.”

Layahn bared her teeth and came at her again. Kara countered by back-flipping out of reach, ducking under her opponent’s elbow and snapping a foot to her knee.

The crowd lapped it up, screaming encouragement to both the contestants.

After that the fight descended into little more than a brawl. Layahn threw a barrage of kicks and punches that left Kara on the defensive. She doggedly fended off the attack and even managed to get in a few of her own strikes.

After half an hour they were battered and bleeding. Again and again Kara fended off Layahn’s assaults, but she was tiring. And she began to make mistakes.

She was a fraction too late avoiding a blow which knocked the breath from her. Dizzy and stumbling, she couldn’t prevent Layahn from lifting her off her feet in a crushing bear-hug.

She struggled to breathe as the air squeezed from her lungs. Blood thundered in her ears, so loud she almost missed the Vraxian’s whisper.

“When I beat you, I’m going to make sure the Zhaal picks me. I’ll enjoy mating with him.”

Kara kicked out with her boot-claws. Hissing in pain, Layahn dropped her. Kara backed away, trying not to show how much her ribs were aching. Layan’s face contorted in anger.

“You don’t belong on Vraxos,” she snarled. “You don’t belong in this competition.”

“And you do? You only got this far because you cheated.”

“I have more right to be Zhaalini than anyone. I’m of shintu blood and you’re nothing but a gemlek u’laa nedek glimt. ”

“Oh, fuck off with your xenophobic shit,” said Kara disgustedly. “You sound like your uncle. All he wants to do is destroy my planet.”

“My uncle cares for the future of Vraxos. He sees the bigger picture, he knows what must be done and he is filled with purpose.”

“He’s filled with something all right.”

With a guttural yell Layahn threw herself at Kara again. They battled furiously, moving around the ring in a blur of fists and feet, no longer caring about tactics or strategies. Just bent on beating the crap out of each other.

When next they broke apart, Kara wiped the blood from her face and gave a cocky grin.

“You hit like a little girl. No, scratch that, I’ve been hit harder by little girls.”

“You’re slowing down. It is only a matter of time.”

“I feel bad for you. We’ve been at this for nearly an hour and you still haven’t beaten me. It must be so embarrassing.”

“You’ll find it hard to run your mouth when I eviscerate you.”

“Promises, promises.” Kara extended her hand and beckoned insolently. “Come get me then, you dumb bitch.”

Layahn feinted to the left and when Kara reacted, she changed direction and got behind her. She put one hand round Kara’s throat, tightening it until Kara thought her windpipe would collapse. With the other she grabbed Kara’s wrist and yanked it high between her shoulder blades until she was forced to stand on tiptoe.

Layahn’s face broke into a triumphant smile

“I told you I’d win. I’m going to shatter your arm and then I’m going to throw you out of the ring like the piece of dankar zift you are.”

Ela spoke sharply.

“Ease up on the arm, Layahn. Breaking it deliberately will get you disqualified.”

The Vraxian gave no sign she’d heard. Kara’s shoulder joint strained unbearably and she tried to speak through the iron grip round her throat.

“Begging for mercy?” Layahn sneered. She loosened her choke-hold a smidgeon.

“I said, is breaking my arm enough for you? I thought you were going to gut me.”

“You’re right. This is too easy.”

Layahn threw her to the ground and kicked her in the ribs. The crowd winced in unison as they heard the impact. Slowly, painfully, Kara got to all fours and started to crawl away. Layahn circled her, gloating.

“I knew you didn’t have what it takes. You’re finished.”

Kara didn’t reply. She looked beaten and exhausted as she dragged herself across the sand. Layahn kicked her again and she curled into a ball.

Exultantly, the Vraxian stood over her.

“Do you see now, vermin? Do you understand the truth? Vraxians are superior to humans.” Her lip curled. “Look at you, cowering at my feet like the pathetic loser you are.”

Kara breathed through her pain. And when she rolled onto her back, Layahn was disconcerted to see she was smiling.

“And look at you, so preoccupied with humiliating me you aren’t watching where you’re going.”

Layan’s head whipped round and her eyes widened in disbelief. Her foot was on the red boundary of the circle.

She realized in that moment that Kara had played her. She’d used Layahn’s vindictive hatred against her and almost led her to defeat.

Almost. But not quite.

She hadn’t stepped over the line, thank Ayanlesh. Touching it didn’t count.

“Nice try,” she said. “You almost had me.”

Kara’s grin widened.

“Oh, I definitely have you.”

Without warning she executed a perfect flip, kicking up to her feet in one smooth movement. Using her momentum, she pivoted in a graceful arc and landed her foot squarely in Layahn’s groin.

The crowd erupted as the Vraxian was shoved out of the ring.

Kara sank to the ground, her knees suddenly weak in the aftermath of all that adrenaline. Blood trickled into her eyes and her ribs ached. In fact her entire body was one giant knot of pain.

But nothing could dampen the sheer, unmitigated joy that engulfed her.

“No! NO!”

Layahn screamed in rage and charged towards Kara but was halted forcefully by Ela, who stepped between them.

“Stand down, Lady Vantrax,” she ordered. “It’s over.”

“She tricked me!”

“She beat you fair and square.” The general turned to Kara. “On your feet, soldier.”

Kara staggered upright, every muscle protesting.

Sweet Jesus. I can barely stand.

Her eyes automatically sought Vahn on the other side of the arena. He was staring at her with an intensity which drove all thoughts of discomfort from her head. Their gazes locked and she couldn’t look away.

She didn’t register when Layahn was led from the arena, still arguing over her defeat. She barely winced when Ela grabbed her sore wrist and held it aloft. And she certainly didn’t hear the reaction of the crowd as she was declared the winner.

She only saw the look on Vahn’s face.

And knew in that moment it had all been worth it.