Starcrossed (Starcrossed 1)

?What the hell is wrong with you?? he said in a voice that reminded

Helen of Mr. Hergeshimer. ?You?re faster than me. Why

don?t you get out of my way??

Helen shrugged and stood up, adopting a defensive stance again.

Hector immediately punched her in the gut, and she fell to her

knees.

?That?s enough, Hector,? shouted Lucas in a tight voice. Helen

held up a hand, gesturing to Lucas that it was okay as she stood up.

Again.

She wanted Lucas to stay out of this. For some reason, Helen?s

first real sparring session had turned personal for Hector, and she

wanted him to go all the way to the end of whatever trip he was on

so he could get it out of his system. The punishment hurt, but not

nearly as badly as her cramps, so she could deal with it. As soon as

she was back on her feet, Hector took them out from under her

again with a leg sweep.

?Easy!? yelled Jason. ?She?s never fought before, you dickhead!?

Helen looked up and saw Jason place a hand on Lucas?s

shoulder, stopping him from jumping into the cage. ?I?m fine, guys.

Nothing to worry about,? she said as cheerfully as she could, getting

up yet again. Hector did not appreciate her tone.

?Why won?t you take this seriously?? he shouted at Helen. She

bent down to spit out the taste of the blood in her mouth, and

Hector reeled back and punched her again in the head.

?Stop it!? screamed Cassandra from someplace beyond Helen?s

vision. ?She isn?t a natural fighter, okay? When are you going to get

that through your thick skull??

Helen felt terrible?she knew she must be a bloody mess to get

someone who didn?t even like her that upset.

By the time Helen had struggled back up to her knees, Cassandra