Demonbane (Book 4) (40 page)
Read Demonbane (Book 4) Online
Authors: Ben Cassidy
Kendril threw himself forward.
Abid snapped his hand forward and swung from the shoulder.
There was an ear-splitting
crack
, and the sword in Kendril’s hand was struck a violent blow. It flew out of his hand and skittered across the deck and out of sight.
A whip
. Abid had a whip.
Kendril rocked back on his feet, recovering from his initial shock. His hand and wrist stung from the blow. Behind him he heard the tramp of approaching feet.
Abid’s smile broadened, almost apologetic.
Kendril lurched forward with a snarl. He swung back his second sword to strike.
The imposing man swung the whip forward again, as quick as a stroke of lightning.
This time the lash caught Kendril around the leg. He felt blistering pain as it snapped around his ankle and calf.
Abid yanked the whip back.
Kendril’s ensnared leg flew out from under him.
He hit the deck hard. Blood spurted from his nose. He still had a grip on his sword, determined not to lose his last weapon. Kendril rolled over to his side and kicked the whip off his leg.
A heavy footfall sounded behind him.
Kendril turned, half-rising.
An emboldened sailor was almost on top of him, a cutlass held in his sweaty hand.
Kendril lunged forward. He swiped his sword at the sailor’s knees.
The man dodged back with a frightened yelp.
Kendril tried to right himself, still off-balance from his impromptu attack.
“
Alive
,” reminded the man in the red cloak.
Kendril felt a warning bell go off in his head. He jerked his head back around.
As silently as a cat, Abid had come up just behind him. He was still smiling.
Breathing hard, Kendril jumped to his feet and turned to attack. He already knew he couldn’t make it.
With a blow like a falling hammer, the hilt of Abid’s scimitar smashed into Kendril’s face.
The world flashed to white, swirled into purple, then went black.
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