The first rock caught Kiran completely off guard and missed his head by mere inches. He looked up just in time to see his attacker launch another missile. This one, fortunately, was far smaller, for it caught him on the shoulder. "Throw one more rock, Earth born demon spawn, and I'll thrash you within an inch of your life when I get my hands on you!" he roared.

"This watering hole is mine!" the youth screamed at him, looking around for another rock to throw. "And I'll defend it to the death if need be!"

Kiran jumped back as a sizable rock screamed past his ear. It struck the ground near his foot, shattering, sending tiny missiles in every direction. One collided with his bare toe, sending a shaft of throbbing pain all the way up his leg. He let out a yelp of pain, then glared up at the ragged urchin above him.

The child's eyes widened in horror at the look he sent him.

Muttering under his breath, Kiran grabbed a handhold and hoisted himself rapidly up the short outcropping of rock. The face disappeared as he neared the top and Kiran braced himself, expecting to be met at the edge of the summit with more determined resistance.

Instead, he hoisted himself onto the ledge just in time to see his attacker beating a hasty retreat down the other side. A combination of satisfaction and renewed anger went through him. With a roar, he charged after the culprit. The youth was quick on his feet, but Kiran had a far longer stride and rapidly overtook him, catching the youth by the rags of his shirt. To the surprise of both, the fabric could not withstand the tug in two different directions at once. It separated from its wearer, who yelped with a combination of fear and anger and ran faster. Not to be outdone, Kiran launched himself at the youth. He twisted as he fell, knowing he would crush the scrawny creature if he landed on top of him.

The landing stunned them both for several moments, but Kiran had the youth tightly clutched to his chest. After a moment, he rolled over on top, pinning the youth to the ground. Straddling, him, he levered himself up and glared down at his captive.

He could count every rib ... except those beneath the two, very feminine, surprisingly full breasts. Mesmerized by the bobbing globes that undulated with every desperate heave the boy--girl made in her efforts to wriggle free of him, Kiran's mind went perfectly blank. His body, however, operating under its own agenda, burgeoned with lust.