requested. “We need no unnecessary injuries.”
It was Kiyoko’s turn to frown. What weapon? She had not noted any weapon, and even with determined study, she could not see one.
Murdoch put a hand to his side and with a soft slither of honed steel, drew a sword from a scabbard. An invisible scabbard. He handed the blade to one of the senshi , then turned to Kiyoko. “If you see my face turn red, it means my berserker is about to make an appearance. Don’t argue, don’t hesitate. Just get out of my way as quickly as you can.”
Sora smiled again. “If Kiyoko-san permits a strike, I will be very surprised, Mr. Murdoch. She has been training with me for many years.”
Murdoch did not smile in return. If anything, his expression grew more intense. He tapped his broad chest with his finger and said, “Immortal reflexes, plus berserker strength. Trust me. You can be the fastest human on the planet, and you’re going to have trouble escaping me. Put those nine lads between me and you first chance you get. Understand?”
Kiyoko nodded. Raising a magical shield might also be wise.
“Lord, I have a bad feeling about this,” Murdoch muttered, striding to the middle of the room.
Kiyoko followed.
When it was just the two of them in the center of the dojo, he glanced at her. In a low, barely audible voice he said, “Look, lass. My berserker is a tad old-fashioned, and it has this crazy notion that you belong to him. I’ve really no idea what will happen when I touch you again. Modern women like to be tough. I understand that, even admire it. But do me a very big favor and let go of your damned pride, just for today. If you think for one instant that I’m going berserk, please run.”
It was a strong speech, driven by a combination of gruff honesty and deep-seated honor. And it made Kiyoko’s heart flip-flop in her chest. Especially the words belong to him .
He gave her another of those piercing stares. This one dark with worry. Then he stuck out his big hand, sighed heavily, and said, “Bloody hell. Let’s give it a go, then.”
4
M urdoch tried to shake off a sense of foreboding. Learning why he’d lost control at the restaurant was vital, but this experiment was ten kinds of crazy. Some sort of strange, mystical friction existed between him and this woman. Last time, Kiyoko had rendered him weak-kneed and defenseless in an instant. This time? It could be worse.
He wanted to believe he wouldn’t hurt her.
But his faith was shaken. His berserker was incredibly possessive around her. It rumbled in his chest even now. All he had to do was breathe in her soft floral scent and those primitive throw-her-over-your-shoulder thoughts would come racing back, pounding at him with every beat of his heart. The beast didn’t have a conscience. It wouldn’t cry any tears over her demise.
“Let us put some form to this connection, Kiyoko,” Sora said. “Start by touching a clothed part of his body.”
“I’m not sure that’s wise—” Her palm flattened against his chest for a moment, a firm press of warmth that was swiftly gone. Murdoch held his breath, waiting for the explosion of sensation. But it never came. He relaxed. It was possible the incident in the restaurant had been a fluke.
“Now try flesh to flesh.”
Murdoch braced himself again, but felt nothing. Long moments passed. He opened an eye and peered at Kiyoko.
“Have you changed your mind?”
“No.” She stood loose and limber, no sign of stress. Her shiny black hair was pulled back off her face and tied in a ponytail. The practical hairdo underscored her femininity with an uncluttered display of her delicate features. In that loose white outfit, she looked so slender and small that an aching tension rose in his chest again.
He lowered his arm.
“Well, I have. This is a damned foolish idea.”
Before his hand had fallen to his side, Kiyoko stepped in smoothly, touched his fingers, and spun away.
The stages of his descent occurred in
It was Kiyoko’s turn to frown. What weapon? She had not noted any weapon, and even with determined study, she could not see one.
Murdoch put a hand to his side and with a soft slither of honed steel, drew a sword from a scabbard. An invisible scabbard. He handed the blade to one of the senshi , then turned to Kiyoko. “If you see my face turn red, it means my berserker is about to make an appearance. Don’t argue, don’t hesitate. Just get out of my way as quickly as you can.”
Sora smiled again. “If Kiyoko-san permits a strike, I will be very surprised, Mr. Murdoch. She has been training with me for many years.”
Murdoch did not smile in return. If anything, his expression grew more intense. He tapped his broad chest with his finger and said, “Immortal reflexes, plus berserker strength. Trust me. You can be the fastest human on the planet, and you’re going to have trouble escaping me. Put those nine lads between me and you first chance you get. Understand?”
Kiyoko nodded. Raising a magical shield might also be wise.
“Lord, I have a bad feeling about this,” Murdoch muttered, striding to the middle of the room.
Kiyoko followed.
When it was just the two of them in the center of the dojo, he glanced at her. In a low, barely audible voice he said, “Look, lass. My berserker is a tad old-fashioned, and it has this crazy notion that you belong to him. I’ve really no idea what will happen when I touch you again. Modern women like to be tough. I understand that, even admire it. But do me a very big favor and let go of your damned pride, just for today. If you think for one instant that I’m going berserk, please run.”
It was a strong speech, driven by a combination of gruff honesty and deep-seated honor. And it made Kiyoko’s heart flip-flop in her chest. Especially the words belong to him .
He gave her another of those piercing stares. This one dark with worry. Then he stuck out his big hand, sighed heavily, and said, “Bloody hell. Let’s give it a go, then.”
4
M urdoch tried to shake off a sense of foreboding. Learning why he’d lost control at the restaurant was vital, but this experiment was ten kinds of crazy. Some sort of strange, mystical friction existed between him and this woman. Last time, Kiyoko had rendered him weak-kneed and defenseless in an instant. This time? It could be worse.
He wanted to believe he wouldn’t hurt her.
But his faith was shaken. His berserker was incredibly possessive around her. It rumbled in his chest even now. All he had to do was breathe in her soft floral scent and those primitive throw-her-over-your-shoulder thoughts would come racing back, pounding at him with every beat of his heart. The beast didn’t have a conscience. It wouldn’t cry any tears over her demise.
“Let us put some form to this connection, Kiyoko,” Sora said. “Start by touching a clothed part of his body.”
“I’m not sure that’s wise—” Her palm flattened against his chest for a moment, a firm press of warmth that was swiftly gone. Murdoch held his breath, waiting for the explosion of sensation. But it never came. He relaxed. It was possible the incident in the restaurant had been a fluke.
“Now try flesh to flesh.”
Murdoch braced himself again, but felt nothing. Long moments passed. He opened an eye and peered at Kiyoko.
“Have you changed your mind?”
“No.” She stood loose and limber, no sign of stress. Her shiny black hair was pulled back off her face and tied in a ponytail. The practical hairdo underscored her femininity with an uncluttered display of her delicate features. In that loose white outfit, she looked so slender and small that an aching tension rose in his chest again.
He lowered his arm.
“Well, I have. This is a damned foolish idea.”
Before his hand had fallen to his side, Kiyoko stepped in smoothly, touched his fingers, and spun away.
The stages of his descent occurred in
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