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Oh, he had fought He had trained beneath the best the Breeds had to offer for years Stygian knew it; he knew Seth was ht Seth would let her win Let her beat on him out of pity and love

Stygian had another think co

He would never strike her He would never hurt her But there were other ways to bring her down

He was only barely aware of Stygian retreating to the opposite exit as he and Dawn began to circle each other, to prepare for the strengths and weaknesses they would detect in each other

As they did, Seth felt hisinside it in the past few days hardened to resolve

“The next tio to another man,” he promised her

She growled “The next tiht, you’ll run with your tail tucked between your legs”

Seth chuckled, seeing her response to the arowls in her chest grew erous

And the battle began

She was da, how coordinated She twisted and turned and fought to kick, scratch, wound

And he laughed at her He forced hied the sound from his chest and wondered if she kne much it tore at his soul to do it He pushed her, chided her, assured her she couldn’t win

He blocked most of the ot his hands on her he restrained her He held her against his chest, or pushed her into the padded wall He held her for long seconds

“Fightthose feral screams tore at his soul

He released her, jumped back and ducked as she kicked off from the wall and flew over his head

She executed another of those feline twists and landed in a crouch