My eyes widened, and I gasped. The sensual haze that had trapped me finally dissipated. “What are you doing?”

He didn't release me, but squeezed harder. Not enough to cut off my air, but enough to consume my attention. “If an Arcadian grabs you from behind, how will you escape from him?”

Kitten raised her hand. “I know, I know!” Her golden cat's eyes practically glittered with eagerness.

Ryan motioned with his chin for her to continue, and his nose tickled the top of my head. I was battling a need to struggle, not to struggle, and to look cool and to prove myself. He wasn't hurting me, but he could at any moment.

“Kick backward and try to hit his balls.”

Despite the situation, I pressed my lips together to keep from laughing. The thought of kicking Ryan in the balls and dropping him to his knees was as appealing as it was appalling.

“That might work, as long as you do it calmly rather than in a panic and as long as he doesn't keep his body away from you, which is a possibility. Panic will fog your mind and quash your objective. You will miss your target every time and fail to realize key details, like the placement of the attacker's body.” As he spoke, he traced his thumbs over my pulse points.

I shivered and tried to mask it with a cough. My cheeks flushed. No boy had ever touched me like this, as if I were a treasure of some sort. And that it was Ryan doing so…I licked my lips. Maybe I'd misread the situation. Maybe he wasn't mad at me, after all.

“Your new motto is: Whatever means necessary,” he said. “Say it with me: Whatever means necessary.”

We did.

“Good. Again.”

We repeated it a second time.

“There are several things you can do,” he added. “First, however, you should scream—if possible—so that he'll hopefully remove one of his hands from your neck to cover your mouth. Also, screaming might bring you aid and alert your teammates to your whereabouts.”

Good idea. I opened my mouth to scream, but Ryan laughed. “Not yet,” he said.

I pressed my lips together.

“Won't screaming draw civilians and perhaps get them killed?” Cara asked.

“If it's your only resort, it's a chance you'll have to take,” Ryan replied. “The good news is, a civilian could also work as a distraction, giving you the opportunity you need to free yourself and kill the alien, which is your ultimate objective.”

“But, what if screaming doesn't work?” Johanna asked.

Cara nodded. “Yeah, I mean, some Outers won't care if you draw attention. They might even like it.”

“If he doesn't release you with one hand to cover your mouth, elbow him in the breastbone with all of your strength. Remember, that's where an Arcadian's main airway is located.”

“And if that doesn't work?” Kitten said.

“Stomp his instep and stomp hard. Stomp repeatedly if you must, but stomp fast. Pinch his thigh, drawl blood. Tug on his hair. Time is your enemy in this position and you must get him to loosen his hold as soon as possible. Hurt him and he'll let go, giving you the opportunity to turn and punch.”

The girls nodded, awed, rapt.

Ryan didn't remove his hands from my neck, but increased the pressure. “Now,” he said.

“What?” I gasped out. He still wasn't hurting me, but the extra force was frightening.

“Break free,” he commanded me.

I tried to laugh, but couldn't quite manage it. The girls watched us with worried expressions. “You want me to fight you?”

“Break free,” he said again, this time with more force. He squeezed harder, and this time it hurt. “I heard you passed your drug test,” he whispered, his breath caressing my ear. “Congrats.”

Thanks for the reminder that I'm the drug addict here. “I won't get in trouble for hurting you?” I wheezed, having trouble drawing in a breath.

“You can't hurt me. Now fight, damn it, before you pass out.”

I wasn't going to pass out. No way. After I'd helped Ryan fight the Sybilins, he—more than anyone—should have had more faith in my abilities. “I'm not sure I can,” I managed to gasp out, playing the nervous little girl. “You're hurting me.”

His hold loosened. “You can, Phoenix. You just need—”

While he spoke, I acted. And I acted hard, just like he'd said. Whatever means necessary. I didn't hold back. Draw blood? My pleasure. I propelled my elbow into his stomach. Air whooshed from him, and he doubled over. His hands loosened even more.

I'd probably just aced the test with that move, but I pinched his thigh, anyway. As he howled, I slammed my foot into his instep.

Pivoting on my heel, I turned around and slugged him in the nose. His head whipped to the side. My knuckles throbbed, still bruised from the pounding I'd given the Sybilins.

I stood there, panting and facing my instructor, triumph washing through me. A trickle of blood dripped from his nose. Test complete. I'd escaped.

Slowly Ryan righted himself and faced me. His blue eyes were practically glowing as he wiped away the blood with the back of his hand. His lips twitched.

“I broke free,” I said, chin raised, “by whatever means necessary.”

“So you did,” he returned, and there was a pleased edge to the words.

Behind us, Kitten clapped and whooped. “That's my girl!”

Ryan smiled fully. “If I was giving a grade today, you'd get an A for kicking my ass.”

“Lucky,” Dani said again.

“Thank you,” I said, proud of myself. The throb in my hand increased with every second that passed, but it was worth it.

Suddenly Ryan's eyes narrowed. Something dark flashed inside them, something dangerous. I blinked, certain I was mistaken. I hadn't done or said anything to warrant that kind of reaction.

“You did that a little too well,” he said. “Anyone ever tried to choke you before?”

Worried? About me? How sweet! Exasperation drained from me, and pleasure took its place. “No. That was a first.” And an experience I'd rather not repeat.

Bit by bit, his expression softened. “Well, you did great.”

I smiled over at him. His gaze dropped to my mouth. Heat infused his expression this time, and he took a step toward me. Did he…did he want to kiss me? The very thought excited me. His lips on mine…his taste in my mouth…. He seemed to catch himself, though, and froze for a split second. He inched backward.

“Get back in line,” he commanded stiffly.

He was changing moods faster than I could keep up. What had brought on the sudden change this time? “Ryan,” I said.




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