"I am just here for a few weeks learning the craft, that is all!" Kurt said, with his friendliest smile.
Alannah's eyes narrowed in suspicion and she said, "First thing, I was not talking to you. I was talking to my family. Second, if you believe you can learn our craft in a matter of weeks, you are either stupid or arrogant. Two traits that don't make a good fighter! "
"Well here I am," Kurt said with a shrug.
"Well, I am not staying here. I will be in my room for the evening, and you best feed Captain Mog! " Alannah said as she got up and walked towards her room. When she passed Kurt, he reached out and held her wrist.
"We need to talk!" Kurt said firmly. The mood around the table changed almost instantly.
"Get your fucking hand off her!" Adam said, getting up.
"Now!" Ethan said, shouting.
"Calm down everyone!" Bruce said, standing up, trying to calm down the situation before it got out of hand.
"Guys, I can look after myself!" Alannah said, twisting her hand and grabbing Kurt's wrist. She then pulled Kurt to the ground. Alannah pulled his arm back and placed a foot on his shoulder blade. The whole sequence took a few seconds.
"Fuck!" Kurt said as he faced the floor.
"How dare you touch me without my permission?" Alannah spat.
"I am sorry," Kurt mumbled.
"Let him go, Alannah," Tao said as he walked towards them. He just got back from a meeting with Xan and Theo.
"Why?" Alannah said, twisting Kurt's arm slightly, making him gasp. She knew she was enjoying herself a little too much.
"Because I said so!" Tao growled, and Alannah reluctantly let his arm go.
"Now, I don't fucking know what is going on, but I will find out!" she said, staring at Tao. "In the meantime, keep him away from me!"
"Oh no, you are training with him!" Tao said as Kurt sat up.
"What? You have got to be kidding me! " Alannah shouted.
"You are injured and his fighting skills are questionable." The others don't have any more time to waste bringing him up to some sort of standard! " Tao said, folding his arms.
"You are punishing me for getting injured!" Alannah accused.
"Bingo! You were reckless and stupid. The risk was not worth the 3 points, and you know you should have tapped out. I have not even started on you losing your weapon and your sloppy technique." Tao roared, making everyone jump. Everyone, apart from Alannah, who was glaring at Tao.
"I can't believe you are punishing me for winning. You are the only Master who would do that! " Alannah roared back.
Everyone gasped. It takes balls to stand up to Tao at the best of times. "Well, do you want a transfer?" Tao roared.
"A transfer? Why not call it what it is, Tao? The selling of human life! I am sure Xan would agree. After all, he got me at a bargain price, so he would make a nice profit. So, yes, I want a transfer! Maybe to the Tiger Claws? I might be happy with Ben as my Master! " Alannah shouted.
"Oh," Ethan said,
"Fuck!" Aiden said.
Matt suddenly pulled Kurt back and Bruce moved forward. Kurt's aim was to try and get in between Tao and Alannah, but he was too late. Tao rushed forward and grabbed Alannah by the throat, lifting her clean off the floor. Kurt tried to rush forward to attack Tao, but Matt stopped him.
"Do you have a fucking death wish?" Matt whispered, holding him back.
"Now, you listen to me. Alannah, you are not going anywhere! Especially not to Ben, who is as cunning as they come! You are going to train a fucking soft-arsed businessman. If you refuse, I will put a bullet in your head and throw you in the river. Do you understand? " Tao roared.
"Do it!" Alannah said.
"What?" Tao said, surprised.
"Do it, kill me! We both know you would be doing me a massive favour! " Alannah said.
Tao's face suddenly softened and lowered her down. He knew by the look in her eyes that she was not joking. Tao suddenly realised that Alannah pretended to be happy most of the time to keep the family together. She fought not for her freedom, but her family's. Alannah knew she was most likely going to die in the ring and that she allowed herself a little moment of happiness with a random man, who had then shattered her fleeting dream.
"Tao, what the fuck are you doing? You better let her fucking go, or help me, God. " Maya screamed as she walked in. Tao released his grip on Alannah's neck.
"Alannah, are you OK?" Maya said, rushing over.
"Don't worry Maya, my Master was reminding me of what I truly am-a product to be used as he sees fit! I will do as you command, Master, and train Kurt. May I leave your presence please, Master? " Alannah said in an emotionless voice.
"You don't need to ask permission; you know we are not like that here!" Maya said, spotting the marks on Alannah's neck.
"What has happened?" Maya demanded.
"Nothing major. I am tired though, so I am going to bed. " Alannah said, and Maya nodded.
Alannah started walking to her room, but she stopped and turned around. "Kurt, come to my room in 10 minutes. You are right, we need to talk. " Alannah said, looking at Kurt. She then walked off down the corridor to her room.
"And I need to talk to you now!" Maya said as she pointed to their accommodation area at the end of the warehouse. Tao sighed and walked down the warehouse.
"Probie, take my advice and never get involved in an argument between Alannah and Tao!" Matt advised.
"Not that they have them very often," Bruce said with a frown.
"I don't understand why you don't help her!" Kurt said, frustrated.
"Because Dickhead said it would make the situation worse. We are the cursed ones. We can be easily disposed of if required. If something happened to us, Alannah would never forgive us! " Adam said.
"Do you think she will be sold to the Tiger's Claw Gang?" Kurt was concerned.
"Nahhh! Tao always says that when he is pissed off. He's put too much time and energy into us to sell us!." Aiden said, unfazed.
"Plus, Maya would beat the crap out of Tao if she was not already!" Bruce said with a chuckle.
"Anyway, hadn't you better get to Alannah's room to "talk" about things?" Ethan said with a smirk.
Kurt was nervous as he walked to Alannah's door. He took a deep breath to calm himself and prayed he was not going to get his arse kicked again. Before he could knock, Alannah opened the door with nothing but a towel on. Kurt could feel his cock starting to twitch as his eyes drank in the vision before him. Kurt wanted nothing more than to kiss the droplets of water that were still on Alannah's skin from the shower. "Hello Kurt, please come in," Alannah said, moving aside. Kurt came in and shut the door behind him."Right then, shall we get on with it?"
"Get on with what?" Kurt said, confused.
"Sex, of course. I mean, that is why you are here, isn't it?" Alannah said simply.