The Three by Meghan O'Brien Read Free Book Online Page B

just for me to learn some new moves, but also for you to see that I already know a few things.”
    Kael gave her a friendly smile. “Of course.” After some mutual stretching, he gestured to the clearing. “You ready?”
    “Sure thing.” Anna bounced up and down on the balls of her feet, shaking out her arms. “Let’s go.”
    Facing Kael, she took in his relaxed posture, his confident half-smile, and met his gaze in silent challenge. I need to show him that I can do this. I need to show him that I can hold my own in this group.
    “Why don’t you show me what you’ve got?” Kael said. “Standard sparring rules apply. No elbow or knee strikes, attacks to the neck, spine, or eyes. Obviously I’m going to avoid that ankle.”
    Anna nodded. “Okay.”
    “Now, I want you to work around your pain, not fight through it. You got that? In a perfect world, you’d be able to rest up before needing to use that ankle again. I know this isn’t a perfect world, and I understand why you need to get back on your feet. But take it easy. Concentrate on using your arms, your hands. Try to keep that ankle out of the strike zone. Try to get an early advantage by going for vulnerable areas—
    crotch, eyes, throat.”

    “Wait. I thought there were no attacks to the neck or eyes?”
    Kael gave her a small smile. “I don’t expect you to go full-out, but you can try to hit me. If you want to avoid those areas, go for my feet or my head.”
    Anna’s upper lip twitched at his utter calm. “Deal.”
    Kael beckoned her with his hand. “Come on. Knock me down.”
    Anna hesitated only briefly, then threw a punch at Kael’s face. She pulled it before it could connect and used her good foot to stomp on his instep. He grunted at the move, and she stepped forward to bring her knee into his crotch. He moved sideways, avoiding her, and she spun around to give him a wicked smile.
    “Nice. Try again.”
    Anna exhaled, then swung at Kael’s head. He ducked her fist and countered with a light punch to her shoulder. Anna scowled. “You can hit me for real, you know.”
    “That’s not what this is about. Listen, let’s concentrate on self-defense. What’s normally your first reaction to a threat?”
    “I listen,” Anna said. “I don’t normally get surprised. I’m very good at listening.”
    “Good. That’s important. But what if you’re in a situation already? The threat is approaching. You know a confrontation is imminent.”
    Anna considered. “I try to catch them off guard. Attack before they have a chance to realize I’m not just going to let myself be taken.”
    Kael frowned. “Your first move should always be to try for an escape. First, be alert to your surroundings.
    Second, run away from danger if you can.”
    Anna let out a disgusted snort. Taking advantage of Kael’s distraction, she jabbed at his midsection. He absorbed the blow and grabbed her arm as she retreated. She jerked back to escape his grasp, but he spun them around so that he was behind her. Wrapping muscular arms around her chest, he pulled her to his body and immobilized her with startling strength.
    “If you get into a fight, you can lose. If you escape from needing to have to fight, you win no matter what.”
    Kael’s lips brushed her ear; his warm breath tickled her neck.
    Anna shivered at the sensation, remembering her confusing flash of attraction for him earlier. Stiffening in discomfort, she squirmed in an attempt to get out of his hold. “What if I can’t run away? What if I’m trying to protect my tribe from slavers who are attacking us?” Her voice rose, and her heart pounded at the unwelcome assault of nightmarish memories that overtook her at the words. “What if women and children are depending on me?”
    “Then you fight.” Kael’s voice was calm, his grip sure.
    Anna seethed at being restrained. She continued to struggle for a moment, her heart rate rising as panic set in. “Goddamn you, Kael,” she growled, kicking back at