”Get off!” He told her in frustration as they struggled for possession of the riffle. He proved stronger than her though, and she didn’t have good leverage or a good angle on her hold and he managed to pin her to the ground, the rifle like a crossbeam over her chest holding her down. ”That thing’s a monster, can’t you see that?” He told her.

”Yeah, well, you’ll forgive me if I don’t just take your word on that.” She said back. The way he had her pinned though, she knew she might be in real trouble.

”Whatever lady, boss said no witnesses anyway.” He began to push the rifle up towards her neck. She had a hold of it too, but had no leverage, was at a bad angle, and he had more upper body strength. It was only a matter of time before her hold gave out, only a couple more seconds probably. She’d consider going for the cheap shot and kneeing the guy’s groin, much as she didn’t like to use a tactic like that, but she had to figure with all the body armor he was wearing, he’d have a cup. Plus, her legs weren’t free enough for her to try that without him figuring out her intention and probably moving to counter. So there was really only one thing she could think to try. She spit in his eye.

He cursed and his hold faltered as he instinctively reached for his face to wipe the saliva away. She grabbed her wrist and pulled, bashing him in the head with her elbow, next hitting him in the neck with the side of her closed fist on the way back, and then clapping her hands over his ears as hard as she could.

He swore loudly.

That last move would probably cause him long-term damage, it could even be fatal sometimes, but she didn’t have better options. After all, he’d made it clear her life was in imminent danger from him, so that meant there was no way she was pulling any punches.

She rolled him off her and yanked her gun out of his hands then struck him with it in the head as she had one of the others.

She got up and looked over to see the woman with the wings break one of her attacker’s necks and drop him on the floor. All of the armed men were down. A couple were still conscious, she counted one gone, which worried her. The winged woman turned on her, her eyes flashing red. She growled a little. ”Human.” She said.