The Pentagram Child: Part 1 (Afterlife Saga Book 5) by Stephanie Hudson Read Free Book Online Page A

time making my father roll his eyes.
    “Now where is the fun in that exactly?”
    “Scared of the challenge Abum?” I answered with a taunting question of my own. (‘Father’ in Sumerian)
    “Quaking in my fucking boots!” He mocked before he charged at me just like I knew he would. He ran at me with his sword held high and I saw a flash of the burning rage flare in his eyes as it reflected in his steel. I blocked the attack and the sound of our swords clashing echoed, drowning out the sound of flames crackling from the centre of the room.
    I spun on one foot and landed low to the ground holding my blade above me as I fended off another blow. I grinned at the feel of my father’s strength, relishing in it and the feeling of a worthy fight. Normally fighting against those so low beneath my own abilities was nothing more than an annoyance for my wasted time. A mindless chore that required very little thinking but this, well now, this was nothing short of a gift!
    I swiped my foot out taking him by surprise and to the floor. I spun back up and attacked the best way that the sword was made for, slashing downwards using brute strength thanks to its curvature shape. My father not surprisingly blocked my attempt at getting at his heart and flipped upwards horizontally, using the motion to push me back with his sword.
    I had barely taken a step back and he was once again coming at me. I met him head on and our blades collided. We became locked together with little space between us and our match in strength didn’t go un-noticed.
    “How’s your Demon holding up…clawing to break free yet?” He asked pointing out the obvious, that yes, my Demon was riding me hard wanting to take over the fight as was its nature.
    “My Demon is lucky enough to have such control in a Master such as I!” I snarled back and pushed harder against his blade. He laughed as I gained one inch at a time, forcing his body to bend backwards.
    “My son, the controlled Master indeed…should daddy be proud?” He taunted and my Demon growled at the insult, trying to force its way to the surface. Just before my father’s wish was granted in releasing my Demon, I pushed off his blade and spun catching him at the side, leaving behind a slice of blood.
    “At last! Well done my Etlu Maru!” He shouted joyfully and I tried to conceal my shock at finally being able to leave my mark for the first time. Never before had I ever drawn my father’s blood and up until now I wasn’t sure if he was even human enough to bleed after all this time. (‘Warrior son’ in Sumerian)
    “I see now that your Grand Master taught you well, which makes me wonder…” He paused as he took further steps backward putting more space between us. I circled around him and swiped my sword forcefully in front of me. My father’s eyes took in the line of his blood that now marked the snow in a sprayed line from my actions.
    “You wonder…?” I asked dragging his angry eyes back to my circling form.
    “Who would win in a fight between two Grand Masters, as I too was taught by one in the family… tell me, does Takeshi know his father Munisai resides down here?” I didn’t even bother hiding my astonishment and my father used the moment to his advantage.
    I found myself near to being overwhelmed from blow after blow of attacks my father rained down on me and only just being able to hold his blade at bay from making deadly contact. I forced myself to snap back from the information I’d just learned and could once again hear my old Master in my head. 
    ‘Attack the arteries here and here’, he would say mock slicing at the inside of my arms and legs. ‘Then go for the engine, for fuel cannot travel the body without its pump’, he would add, while aiming the blade’s tip at my heart.
    Finally I used my Master’s old words to centre me enough to regain the upper hand. I watched as my father’s moves became more predictable now that I was accustomed to his style and I