Page 23 of Obsidian Dream

At the sound of the nickname, her eyes narrowed dangerously.

He glanced up at the timer.

This was going to be the longest five minutes of his life.

Chapter Nine

KHALIDA

Khalida wanted to punchthe smirk off his face.She wiped the sweat from her forehead, noticing the small drop of blood.Hers or Talik’s?

He was taunting her into making a mistake.It had worked when she was younger until she quickly learned that he liked to play with his opponents.But she didn’t fall for those tactics anymore.

Talik sidestepped one of her kicks, her foot grazing his leg.

He looked bored.Was he purposely holding back?The idea infuriated her.Didn’t he think she was good enough?

Talik had been training with the hunter, Kade.The information had come through the dossier Meraki had created for the Jimourt of all the guests attending.The hunter wasn’t renowned for his forgiving nature when he fought.So far, Talik had countered every one of her moves, but only defending himself and not taking it any further as if he didn’t want to hurt her.She was more than his equal on the battlefield, especially in one-on-one combat, and she was going to painfully remind him of it.Too much was at stake if she didn’t.She needed to end it now.All it would take was thirty seconds and a careful sequence of kicks.

“Looks like the playboy lifestyle has really taken its toll on you.”

Two could play the taunting game.She had, after all, learned from the best—Talik.

She launched into a flurry of movements, letting her mind focus on the present as she immersed herself in the flow.Muscle memory took over as the world around her slowed down.

After landing a kick on Talik’s hard stomach, he stumbled but swiftly regained his ground.

Three minutes left.At this rate, the match would be finished with time to spare.

“Blood, Kiki.”Talik wiped the droplet off his lip.He smiled dangerously.

Her heart fluttered.It must be the adrenaline running through her.

“I didn’t know you wanted to play rough.”

It was the only warning she received.Whatever she’d done flipped a switch within Talik.He moved with the speed and force she’d expected from the beginning.