Zaeryn pushed himself up and sat up, his left shoulder blade grinding against the floor as he rolled.
A sharp hiss escaped between his teeth. Even with ninety percent of her power Vitae, neutralized by the resonance dampeners the girl kicked like she was trying to punt him into next week.
If her strikes hit that hard when dampened, he didn't want to imagine her at full throttle—and yet, a twisted part of him was already curious. Pain aside, there was something intoxicating about going toe-to-toe with a woman like her: fierce, unyielding, and built like a goddess of war. Her power called to something primal in him, stirring the nascent Vitae in his veins like a promise of more.
He flexed his fingers, testing for breaks, and couldn't help the bitter laugh that bubbled up. "Well, that was fun. Remind me to sign up for the masochist club next time."
