Kruger went after Evelyn first because he thought she was the more dangerous threat up close. Rex could see in his Foresight that she was going to dodge the huge clawed hand that was coming toward her.
It wasn't a strike but a grab. Kruger's other hand was already on its way before she landed.
Rex got in between them.
He didn't do it in a sneaky or smart way. He walked right into the path of Kruger's follow-up swing and took the hit on his forearm.
Just before impact, he used telekinesis to make a tight shell around the bone to strengthen it. It was so strong that it sent him sliding back across the cobblestones, and his arm hurt from holding the shield against so much raw power, but he stayed on his feet.
He heard Evelyn make a sharp sound behind him. It wasn't quite a gasp, but it was something more controlled than that.
Kruger looked at him.
Rex stared back, his arm hurting, and stood his ground.
