Read Online Tethered by Pippa Jay - Free Book Online

to have provoked the very worst in her.
    “It’s not all you,” she acknowledged eventually, letting the last threads of her temper wind out with that admission. “All this—” she gestured to the world in general “—is—”
    “Unsettling?”
    “That’s one word for it.”
    Zander stared at her in silence for so long she began to wonder what he was seeing. She started when he spoke again. “I think, despite the difficulties, despite your doubts, that you are more than capable of this mission. I have faith in you and your abilities, not just as a Su, but as my co-delegate. You are the only person in the galaxy that has the right DNA for the task, and you more than have the talents for it.” The last he said with a humorous twist to his mouth that drew a grudging smile to hers. The quiet assurance in his voice lifted the weight on her shoulders.
    “Damn DNA,” she muttered. “But thanks for the vote of confidence.”
    “My pleasure.” He smiled. “Does that mean I’m forgiven?”
    “Oh, I’m not sure about that. While you’re here, I think we should do some training together. You’re not very safety conscious.”
    “Am I not?”
    “You sit in the conference hall with your back to an open door. Are you asking to get stabbed?”
    “I like the view from where I sit. Especially now.”
    Heat scoured her face, and she drew a sharp breath. “Are you trying to flirt with me?”
    “I’m trying to distract you.”
    “It’s not working.” She tried to keep a grin from spreading across her face, but it was hard. “Afraid I’ll beat you?”
    “I have no doubt of that.”
    “So you’re not going to even try?”
    Zander regarded her for a long, long moment. “I would be interested to see how Su training compares to a Warden’s,” he murmured at last, as if considering the idea for the sake of mere curiosity. He pushed himself away from the doorframe and walked slowly toward her, sudden intent purpose in his movements. A thrill of excitement shivered down her spine as she backed away a few steps with Zander following. He shrugged off his formal outer robes, and for the first time she could appreciate the broad expanse of his chest, the close-fitting fabric stretched over well-defined muscles. It appeared he hadn’t allowed his physique to slacken, despite leaving the Galactic Commission.
    “Are you ready?” she asked.
    Zander spread his hands in an open gesture to say that he was.
    So why is he just standing there like a defunct Manikin instead of poised to fight?
    Tyree took her combat position and Zander matched her, just as the Manikin had done. She’d never fought a human in practice before. This should be interesting.
    She sprang forward and aimed two rapid punches at his face. Zander evaded both with a speed and grace totally out of proportion to his bulk. Her third he blocked with little effort, and she stepped back to reassess her strategy. But only for an instant.
    A quick step forward and she lashed upward with her foot, snapping his head back. Zander staggered but didn’t fall. Her second kick failed as he grabbed her ankle and jerked her off balance. She twisted as she dropped and caught him hard in the knee. Zander collapsed. Both rolled aside, and then jumped up to face each other again.
    Not bad.
    Tyree bit back a laugh as they exchanged blows, each faster than the last. Zander blocked or evaded most, but not all. His skill almost matched hers, yet his defenses were just a fraction too slow. Each move she made tested his reach, his reflexes and his stamina until she could sense him struggling a little.
    Time for the kill.
    She floored him with a kick to the chest, the full weight of her augmented density behind it, but as she moved in to finish the fight he dove into her. Tyree landed on her back hard enough to drive the breath from her lungs.
    Zander had her pinned to the ground. She bucked but couldn’t shift him. The triumphant smile on his face sent rage blazing through her