Chapter Four

Riddick's POV

As I close the hatch I can smell you, faintly. Your scent isn't all that strong. Were you waiting for me? I cock my head and hear the bones cracking.

I leave your stuff where it is and take mine to the storage zone. I mentally go over the list I gave Hayden. Seems everything is here. Hmm. I smell something I shouldn't be smelling. It's stronger now, a crisper smell. Not human. I can't smell any blood. But there it is, that smell. I know what box it's coming from and quickly open it. I stare at it. Why would he give me this?

It's a chunk of metal. Not just any metal, strong, mouldable, black metal. Black metal is ideal for making weaponry, cause black offers no reflection. Well, no reflection to the normal human eye. My eyes detect it. For me the metal is shiny, making it easy for me to see. This shit is expensive. Not much of it left anywhere, and the few remaining pounds can only be found on Old Earth. I can make at least 6 shivs out of it. Maybe 7, one for you, if I melt it and mix it with –

There you are.

"You want something specific Kyra?" I ask, not taking my eyes off of the chunk of mental in front of me.

"You said you got me some new clothes. Where are they?"

"Never pegged you for a Fashion Queen, Kyra. Out by the hatch. Take it all to the room."

My voice is rough and I'm scowling. I'm not angry that she interrupted. It's just that she got too close before I sensed her. Not good.

"Our room?"

I growl. Okay woman, you've got my attention now. I glance up looking at your face and it's blank. Good job, I almost believe it.

"Do you know that your heart is beating a little too fast?" I pause. "Sexy."

Your facial expression breaks. Got ya. I cover the remaining steps between us so fast that you have no time to react. Timing, Kyra. Your reaction timing needs to be faster. I make a mental note.

Kyra's POV

Sexy? Holy shit, you're standing close again, invading my personal space. How so like you. I growl.

"Sexy, Kyra. Animalistic." Pause. "I like that."

I reach up, grab his face, and pull his head down to me. I'm not going to kiss him…yet. I tilt his head a little and place my lips on his neck. I suck a little, but soon discover that's not enough. I graze my teeth over him and get the reaction I knew was coming.

I'm up against the wall, again. My feet are still on the floor. I look into his eyes. He's not angry. Possible amused, but who can ever tell with baldy?

"Breaking the rules so soon, are we, Riddick?"

"You wouldn't be planning on biting me anytime soon, Kyra?" You're grinning. Playing now are we?

"Break the rules…I get in your face. Not much fun for either of us." I'm as grouchy as I can be. I look into your eyes. I'm losing this fight.

"Grazing me like that. Intending on marking me as yours? Beautiful." He whispers that last word as he stares me in the eyes.

You've let me go and turn, no longer facing me. I had thought you wanted to play. What to do now? I wait. You're thinking.

"Wanna play a game, Kyra?"

Riddick, play?

"The rules, baldy?"

"None."

"The purpose?"

"A hunt and seek"

I know where this is heading, but I still have to ask.

"The prey?"

You turn your head slightly. I can see the shine in your eyes. So, the animal has come out to play. What fun. You growl as you speak next.

"You. Run."

I don't need to be told twice. I'm off. I head straight to the workout room where all the weapons are. I know instinctively which one to use. I can't hear you, but I know you're close. I have the battle axe. Come and seek me Riddick. I'm waiting. I've always been waiting for this.

Riddick's POV

You smell different when you're exited. I've experienced it in the shower, and when we kissed. But this is stronger. You're bleeding too. It's your monthly blood and you're just at the start of it. Wonder if you even know?

I knew you would head to the workout room. The only place where there are weapons. Good judgement, but not clear thinking. Now you're cornered.

We'll play now, won't we?

He's out again. Not out of control, just out. The animal in me. My animal side. He's smirking now. I sniff. You're close.

"What do you have there Kyra?"

"A new toy."

"Little girls shouldn't play with sharp objects. They might fuck themselves up."

"Good thing I'm not a little girl."

I only nod in your direction. Good thing. Real good thing.

We start to circle each other. One animal trying to close in on another. Hope you remember I'm alpha.

I can see it coming. You try to fake a strike and step into my trap. I reach my arm out and close it around your neck. The axe falls helplessly out of your hands and makes a loud clang as it hits the floor. I squeeze my hands around your neck and you buckle at the knees. I move around you, shove you hard to the floor and pin your arms around your back. You can see the axe, it's within reaching distance, if you could use your hands. You try squirming but I know what's coming, again. I can hear the swoosh as the blades come out of your boots. With one hand I grab onto your ankle, the other hand still holding your hands. You've stopped moving, for now.

"Never thought you would be that flexible, Kyra." I Pause. "Sexy."

"I growl I'm sexy. I'm fuckin' bendable and I'm sexy. What's with that baldy, the smallest things set you off?"

Is she trying to incite anger from me? Interesting.

"Trying to play with my animal side, are we Kyra? You've no idea who you're fucking with."

"I wasn't trying to fuck you Riddick, not right now anyway." Cute. "I thought we were playing a game. Let go of me baldy. We still got to get this beast off planet."

Shit. You're right. I ease my hold on you and to my surprise you simply turn over. Thought you'd be running by now. You reach up and touch the top of my head.

"Stubble. Want me to fix that with my axe?"

Cute. Very cute. I turn my head away and grin. Slowly I rise.

"We'll play again soon, Kyra. Remember what you've learned." I'm staring at the door now.

"What makes you think I learned anything of value, Riddick?"

I turn slightly, just to look at your neck. I've left my mark there. It hurts you, and I know it. I wanted it to hurt so you'll learn. Your first instinct must always be to kill, and never to merely defend yourself.

"You just learned that I won. Again," is all I say.

Hope for your sake you learned more. Like, never to fake out those who are stronger, faster, and better than you are. I snort. You're strong Kyra, but not like me. Yet. You must think I'm laughing at you.

"You won? When was the last time you beat me?"

I know she's asking who won on Crematoria, but the animal inside still wants to play.

"If I beat on you, you'd be bedridden forever. The Sweet Spot is real, Jack." I love twisting her words and seeing her frustration. Voluntarily I turn to look at her. You're thinking. I wait. Never cared enough to wait for a woman to speak before. This is new territory for me, this waiting part.

"What were you going to do, slice me with your invisible shiv. I'm not dumb Riddick, you have no shiv on you."

My eyes glaze over with anticipation. No shiv? So simple minded you are Kyra.

"Didn't need a shiv."

C'mon woman. You're smarter than that. Think, damn it. Think like a killer would. Ahh…there we go. Realization occurs and your eyes sparkle with the knowledge.

"The blades in my boots." She pauses. "You knew that I was going to use them. You could have used them to go for the sweet spot."

"Exactly. Everything around you is a weapon. Everything. Use it. Listen to the animal inside. She'll help you…kill to survive." I hesitated. "Just…just don't let her win." I hesitated again. That's not a good sign. Fuck, I've said too much. She'll think on what I said. The animal inside, I growl to myself. Why the fuck tell her that? She knows the animal inside. Now she just has to learn to take control over it. I head up front to get this ship off planet. I wasted enough time. But it was fun, wasn't it, the animal says.

Kyra's POV

You hesitated. I heard it in your voice. You've never hesitated before. Why now, and with this. Listen to the animal…What the hell? Why would I let the animal inside win. Unless…You better not want to change me back Riddick. I am Kyra now. Jack's no longer inside. She's gone and is never coming back. That's what scares me, Riddick. I killed Jack. I let Jack die. I'm Kyra now. Kyra. No Riddick, Jack's gone. You're stuck with me.

I'm pacing back and forth. I only go four feet and than turn around and pace another four. I haven't done that since they isolated me in slam. I'm thinking about what you said Riddick. Everything's a weapon. Everything. Really dumbass? Like I never knew that. Think Kyra. He wouldn't say it unless he thought it was absolutely necessary. Shit. I'm wet. What the hell? I pull my pants down right there. Slam afforded little privacy, and I'm not ashamed of my body. I'm bleeding, a little. Great, gotta find some cloth.

At the front I take my place beside Riddick. It's always going to be beside Riddick from now on. You're not looking in my direction, which is okay, I mean, you're planning our next move, right?

"You're bleeding." Is he trying to be concerned?

I'm still not used to your over sensitive nose and its sense of smell. No wonder they say you're an animal. Fuck, that must be sick at times, smelling all kinds of nasty shit.

"Riddick, leave it alone."

I flick some buttons as I sit down. The takeoff is smooth. You're a good pilot.

You have your usual expression on, and are looking at some stuff on the video screen. Whatever, Riddick. You do your shit now, and pay no attention to me. I'm tired and my neck is sore. Lesson learned…I know you won't want to play till tomorrow. I close my eyes. I'm starting to relax, and just as I'm drifting off…

"Did you put your shit away?"

My clothes? No.

"You go put it away," is all I say.

There is no sound. I open my eyes and you're not there. The beast is on autopilot again. The screen is blinking. The temptation is too much. I open yours slam files. Whoa. 1.5 payday…from New Mecca government. Blah, blah, blah…Riddick alive. Whoa. Independent party. Who would pay 1.5 for a convict?

Imam.