She entered.
Her right hand touched his shoulder.
Her left hand controlled his elbow.
Ryan tried to drive forward.
Maya redirected him.
He stumbled.
The room gasped.
Ryan recovered.
His smile disappeared.
He attacked again.
And that was when Thomas finally whispered,
“She knows.”
Daniel looked at him.
“Knows what?”
Thomas didn't answer.
Because Maya had just changed her stance.
And Ryan hadn't noticed.
What Maya Had Been Hiding
Ryan shot forward.
Maya sidestepped.
He grabbed her waist.
For half a second, it looked like he had her.
Then Maya dropped her weight.
Her hips moved.
Her foot hooked behind his ankle.
Ryan lost balance.
He caught himself before falling.
The spectators murmured.
Ryan looked surprised.
Maya didn't.
He attacked again.
This time faster.
He drove her backward.
Maya hit the wall.
Ryan tried to pin her.
Maya framed against his chest.
He pushed harder.
“Come on,” he muttered.
Maya breathed slowly.
Daniel shouted,
“Angle!”
Maya heard him.
So did Thomas.
But Thomas noticed something Daniel didn't.
Maya wasn't struggling.
She was waiting.
Ryan changed grips.
Maya moved.
Her body turned sideways.
Ryan's momentum carried him past her.
Maya caught his arm.
Then his wrist.
Then his elbow.
In three movements, she had his arm extended.
Ryan twisted.
She released.
He spun around.
His face was red.
“What are you doing?”
Maya said nothing.
Ryan charged.
This time he grabbed both legs.
Maya sprawled.
Ryan drove forward.
She turned.
He tried to climb into side control.
Maya framed.
He moved toward mount.
She escaped.
The room was completely silent.
Ryan was breathing heavily.
Maya wasn't.
Thomas crossed his arms.
Daniel stared at him.
“You knew.”
Thomas looked at him.
“Knew what?”
“That she could move like this.”
Thomas shook his head.
“I didn't know.”
“You're lying.”
Thomas smiled.
“No.”
He looked toward Maya.
“But I suspected.”
Ryan finally caught Maya.
He passed her guard.
His weight settled across her chest.
He tried to isolate her arm.
Maya defended.
Ryan whispered,
“Still think you're better?”
Maya looked directly into his eyes.
“No.”
Ryan paused.
“Then what?”
“I'm just trying to stop you.”
Ryan shifted.
Maya's knee came through.
Ryan tried to flatten her.
Maya bridged.
He resisted.
She bridged again.
Then suddenly she reversed him.
Ryan landed on his back.
The crowd erupted.
Ryan's eyes widened.
Maya took side control.
She moved to north-south.
Then stepped around.
Ryan tried to scramble.
Maya followed.
Her arm slid under his chin.
Ryan immediately defended.
Maya didn't force it.
She transitioned.
Ryan escaped.
He stood.
Both were breathing now.
But Ryan was breathing harder.
Maya looked calm.
Ryan looked furious.
“You've trained before.”
Maya nodded.
“Yes.”
“How long?”
“Long enough.”
Ryan shook his head.
“You're not a beginner.”
“No.”
“Why did you let me think you were?”
Maya looked at him.
“Because I didn't care what you thought.”
Something changed in Ryan's face.
Then Thomas spoke from the edge.
“That's the part you should have understood.”
Ryan turned.
“You've got a lot to say for a spectator.”
Thomas stepped closer.
“I wasn't speaking to you.”
Ryan laughed.
“Then who?”
“Maya.”
Maya looked at Thomas.
He continued.
“Don't fight him angry.”
Ryan's eyes narrowed.
“You think she needs your advice?”
Thomas looked at him.
“No.”
Then he said,
“I think you need to hear it.”
Ryan took one step forward.
Daniel immediately moved between them.
“Enough.”
Ryan stared at Thomas.
Thomas didn't move.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then Ryan smiled.
“Tomorrow.”
Thomas raised an eyebrow.
“Tomorrow?”
Ryan pointed at the mat.
“You and me.”
The gym went silent.
Thomas shook his head.
“No.”
Ryan laughed.
“Scared?”