Jack Templar and the Lord of the Demons (The Jack Templar Chronicles Book 5) by Jeff Gunhus

Author:Jeff Gunhus [Jeff Gunhus]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: Seven Guns Press
Published: 2015-08-04T07:00:00+00:00

15

We met in the center of the walkway, sparks flying when our swords struck. I’d expected that she would be strong, so I gripped the sword with both hands. Even so, she hit it so hard it was all I could do to hold on to the thing. In fact, the impact spun me around and knocked me off balance enough that I had to grab the railing to keep from falling.

Eva wasted no time. Another snarl came from deep in her throat as she swung a second time, going right for my head. I barely dodged as I managed to slide to one side. Eva’s sword gouged the wood railing, and the crowd rewarded her with cheers of approval.

I held up my sword in a defensive posture. I knew from countless hours of sparring with Eva that I could effectively play defense and survive. It was when I tried to press the attack that I usually made a mistake. And with Eva, one mistake was all she needed.

“Come on, Jack,” she said. “Fight your best.”

“The sad thing this is that I am,” I shot back.

Eva stopped for a second and looked me up and down. “You’re right, that is sad.” Then she lunged at me, trying to stab one of my feet. I danced away just in time.

“So we’re really doing this?” I asked, circling her.

“What choice do we have?” she asked.

Eva feinted left, then dropped low to the ground, aiming an upward stroke of her sword at my midsection. I parried it away.

“I won’t kill you,” I said.

“You have to try,” she said. “If you don’t, he’ll kill the others. Now fight!”

She unleashed a flurry of blows on me. Her power was unbelievable. I was on my heels, backing up down the wood path with each sparking clash of our swords. Hers aimed for my neck and heart. Mine simply braced in front of me to take her blows.

She stopped and circled me, her sword poised for the next attack. The creach crowd cheered, but I also heard some catcalls and boos. I knew they were meant for me and my defensive-only posture.

The boos didn’t bother me, but I didn’t want to give Draxo any reason to make good on his promise to chop off any heads. I glanced to the dais where the giant ogre stood with his arms held across his chest. He didn’t look very happy.

With a yell, I spun around in a three-sixty and swung my sword as hard as I could. It was a clumsy attack, and the spin was just to look good for the crowd. I knew Eva could easily fend off the blow.

She did and lunged forward with a counter that nicked my shoulder, giving me a small cut. I grabbed the wound with my free hand and felt the blood there. It stung, but it was only a small wound. The Coliseum erupted with excitement at the sight of first blood.

I expected to see at least a flicker of concern on Eva’s face from having injured me.

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