Death has a Daughter (DHAD Series) Read Online Free Page B

round; I took a deep breath and bowed.  When I looked up, Eric was doing the same.  We both then stood up, took three paces back, and brought out our scythes.
    “ BEGIN!”  Herald bellowed, and Eric came running.  I faked to the left, causing him to switch his grip on the scythe as he charged forward.  At the last second, I darted to the right, and he charged straight past me.  Momentum kept him going for about fifty paces before he stopped and spun on his heel.  Frustration changed the lines of his face as he charged at me again. I ran to meet his charge head on.  He flipped his grip on the scythe again, expecting another fake out, but I kept running.  His eyes widened as he came to the conclusion that we were actually going to collide.  Not ready for impact, he fumbled, and I used his unease to grab his shoulders and propel myself into the air over his head.  I flipped forward once and landed on the ground, on the balls of my feet, then threw myself onto my back and slid perfectly between his parted legs, with my upper-half in front of him.  I looked up, just as his eyes found mine, and watched as they widened in horror at the sight of my scythe entering his “fake heart.”  The bell went off, ending the match.  As I got up, I dusted off my legs.
    “ Good match.”  My dusty hand reached out for his.  His eyes were still wide, but a small smile had found his face.
    “ I have no idea how you did that,” he said as he stuck out his hand and shook mine with a hard grasp.
    “ Something I picked up from watching human movies.”  Herald came over and raised my hand in the air and the crowd cheered, which took me back a bit.  I had assumed only my dad would, but everyone in the arena was on their feet and cheering.  Herald released my hand, and I walked over to the stands where my dad was sitting.  It took me a few moments to get to him because a lot of people, who had never talked to me in my life, were saying ‘good job’ and ‘how’d you do it?’  It was odd, but I greeted each of them with a smile and a handshake.  Relief washed over me when I finally made it to Dad.
    “ Forty-five seconds—that’s impressive!” he said as he grasped me in a hug.  “That flip was amazing, Cendall. I hope you didn’t spill all your beans with that trick, for it won’t work again,” he said, trying to give good advice.
    “ No worries, I’ve got many more up my sleeve.  I just wanted this match over quickly. Who do I face next?”
    “ Well, no one else is finished just yet.  Your boy Dave is giving Drake a pretty good run for his money.  The fight is definitely in Drake’s court, but I’ve heard that Dave is at least making a good opponent.”  Relief washed over me, but it quickly faded as I heard the bell sounding from the other arena.  The match must be over.  I teleported to the stands of the other stadium and saw one of the trainers holding Drake’s hand in the air.  A much larger crowd than I had began roaring in cheers.  As the crowd rushed to meet him, I looked for Dave.  He was surrounded by a small crowd as well, who I overheard saying, “Good fight, Dave, nice attempt.”
    “ A couple years, and you’ll be right there!” another said.  Dave’s back was turned as I approached him.  My hand grabbed him as I whipped him around and embraced him in a hug.  He would need it.
    “ Thank you,” Dave said, as we walked away from the crowd, hand in hand.
    “ How did your match go?” he asked as he spit blood out of his mouth. Their fight must have gotten rough.
    “ Good, forty-five seconds,” I answered and tried not to smile. I didn’t want to make him feel any worse.
    “ Damn, I knew I heard the bell early, but I didn’t think—wow.  How’d you do it?”  Dave asked.
    “ It was cunning and had acrobatics, deception, and mad skill,” Eddie interrupted. “Our cold, little killer looked deep into his eyes as she staked him. It was truly ELECTRIFYING!”
    “ Where