He didn't bother with the formalities.He didn't strip off his leathers or wrap his hands.He just stepped into the nearest circle.
"You," he said to the biggest warrior there, a brute from the outer colonies.“In here now.”
Lowering his practice blade, the warrior frowned."Commander?We were just?—"
"I said in here now.”Raaevik shoved him into the circle."Defend yourself."
He didn't wait for a signal.Launching himself forward, he let the rage take over.Twisted and lashed out.The first hit cracked against the warrior’s jaw.A solid, satisfying impact as the warrior staggered back.
Pain shot up Raaevik’s arm.That was good.Pain was honest… something he could hold onto.
Mine.She is MINE.
The warrior rallied, snarling as he attacked.Raaevik took a hit to the ribs.It knocked the air from his lungs, but he didn't block the next one.He swung back, a right hook that caught his opponent on the side of the jaw and dropped him to his knees.
"Get up," Raaevik said.
The male stayed down, spitting blood.Smart.
"Next."
Exchanging wary glances, the other warriors circled.But they were Lathar, which meant they didn't back down from a fight.Two of them stepped in.
Raaevik let out a short, harsh laugh and beckoned them."Come on."
He fought like a man possessed.There was no technique, no elite discipline.This was a street brawl, pure and simple.He threw himself into the fray, trading blows that would have felled a lesser male.A fist caught his cheekbone, and a boot slammed into his thigh, but he barely felt it.The physical pain was a dull throb compared to the noise in his head.
You let him take her.You stood there and watched!
He slammed an elbow into a nose.Cartilage gave way with a crunch and a spray of blood.Spinning, he kicked a knee and got a shout of pain in return.Someone caught him above the eyebrow, and blood dripped into his eye, hot and sticky.
It wasn't enough.Snarling, he reached for the next opponent, his fingers curling into claws…
A hand clamped around his wrist.
"That’senough."
Raaevik pivoted to strike, his other fist flying.But it was caught in a hard hand, held in place with a strength that mirrored his own.
Thyaar.
His brother-in-arms stood in front of him, his chest heaving and copper hair loose around his shoulders.He looked like he’d sprinted the length of the station.
"Let me go," Raaevik snarled, flashing his teeth.
"No."Thyaar didn't flinch."Look at yourself, Raae.You’re going to kill someone."
"Then they should fight harder,” He spat.
"They're not the enemy, youdraanthingidiot."Thyaar shoved him back, putting space between them."Everyone out.Now!"
The command cracked like a whip through the air, and the warriors didn't hesitate.They headed for the doors, dragging the wounded with them.
Silence rushed back in.
Raaevik stood in the center of the circle, blood dripping from his chin to the white floor.His hands shook and his chest heaved as he fought for oxygen.
Thyaar stared at him, arms folded over his broad chest.They’d faced each other down many times in the past, but usually it was the other way around.Since when did Thyaar lecture him?Raaevik was the one who hauled his sorry ass out of trouble.Not the other way around.
