Free The Demon Master's Wife (Fantasy, Space Opera, Science Fiction Romance) (FORCED TO SERVE) by Donna McDonald Page B

solution is willing to serve your needs, Gwen.”
    “Yeah—well maybe I don’t trust Zade not to use more of his Siren mojo stuff to bind me to him. That’s just the kind of kinky controlling bastard he is,” Gwen said harshly. “He’s not like the men I’m used to. I see past that spiritual crap he spouts all the time. If that irritating male is enlightened, I’m a Greggor with a hairy chest.”
    Laughing out loud at Gwen’s disrespect for Dorian, Ania’s compassion got the better of her as she saw just how upset the female was at her potential mate. Pride would keep Gwen away a long time. It was bad for everyone on the crew who by now were feeling the effects of Dorian’s vibrational anguish as well. Ania suddenly felt the need to intervene for the good of everyone onboard.
    Telling herself what she was about to do was part of her job as Peace Keeper on the Liberator, Ania walked to the middle of the mat, close to Gwen.
    “You’re just afraid, Gwen Jet. I bonded last night with a male who put a demon inside me. I can’t believe you’re so frightened of a Siren’s lust. No one can really control you without your consent. Soon you will see how much I mean that statement when I make my choices. Now we will fight until your mind clears of all concerns,” Ania said, walking around Gwen. “I have decided to train you in the basic Khalsa techniques. If you choose to continue the training, Dorian can help you complete it after I am dead.”
    “There you go talking about your death again. You do realize death is a permanent condition, don’t you?” Gwen asked sarcastically, not able to seriously take in Ania’s assumption that her death was both imminent and her choice. “Also, you won’t get the pleasure of making me look bad on the mat anymore if you’re dead.”
    Ania laughed and ignored the disparaging but humorous comment.
    “So let us begin at the beginning, Commander Jet. A Khalsa does not think in terms of defeating an opponent. Fighting is not about competition to prove who is the bravest or strongest or cleverest. Fighting for a Khalsa warrior has only one goal. Stop your opponent from fighting you. So the first decision is to choose the best method to do this. Many times it means not fighting all.”
    “Which is why you tried not to fight me when you knew I didn’t stand a chance of defeating you,” Gwen answered.
    Ania nodded and smiled at her eager and intelligent trainee.
    “Very good, Commander. Still, there are those opponents who are insistent on—what is your term for it? Oh yes—they are insistent on getting their asses kicked,” Ania said, proud of her use of Earth slang when Gwen laughed loudly. “So you need to quickly size up the opponent and the potential force to be used against you. Sometimes this means letting them have their one shot at besting you.”
    Ania swept out with her stick and had Gwen down on the mat as the last word was spoken. “Once you know their potential, your strategy must be to use their force against them by returning it to them.”
    As Gwen climbed to her feet, Ania swept out again, but this time Gwen blocked.
    “Well that’s good, but blocking is not enough. You must block and turn my force against me,” Ania explained. “Think of how you might do that as you respond—so again.”
    Ania lunged and swept at Gwen with the fighting stick, not sparing her the force of the move. This time Gwen blocked and lifted the end of the stick, sending Ania stumbling across the mat in front of her.
    “Quiet impressive for a beginner,” Ania said with a grin. “Once more.”
    This time she swept, lunged, and attacked repeatedly. Eventually, Gwen did end up flat on the mat, but Ania had to put some real effort into it.
    “More?” Ania asked, smiling down into Gwen’s face as the younger female panted for breath.
    “No, I’m good now,” Gwen said, reaching a hand to let Ania help her up.
    Ignoring Gwen’s outstretched hand, Ania smiled kindly.
    “Do