"MOESTA, KEVIN J. ANDERSON REBECCA - SHADOW ACADEMY" - читать интересную книгу автора (Moesta Rebecca)

SHADOW ACADEMY
by
KEviN J. ANDERSon and REBECCA MOESTA

With a mixture of fear and excitement, Jacen's wiry frame tensed for the
attack. His liquid-brown eyes fluttered shut for a moment as he
visualized his opponent.

Without warning, he heard the hum of a lightsaber slice down from above.

Jacen whirled just in time and caught the blow with his own lightsaber.
The deep red of his opponent , s weapon throbbed with power, filling his
vision as the two glowing blades warred for dominance.

Jacen knew he was far outmatched in size and strength, that he would
need all of his wits to get out of this encounter alive. His arms ached
with the strain of holding off the blow, so he took advantage of his
smaller size, spinning under his opponent's arm and dancing out of
reach.

The attacker advanced toward him, but Jacen knew better than to let him
get that close again.

The ruby glow flashed toward him, and he was ready. He parried the blow
and then swept sideways with his own blade before dodging backward and
blocking the next thrust.

Attack and counterattack. Thrust. Parry. Block.

Lightsabers sizzled and hissed as they clashed again and again.

Though the room was cool and dank, perspiration ran down Jacen's face
and into his eyes, nearly blinding him. He saw the arc of red light
barely in time and ducked to avoid it. A cocky lopsided grin sprang to
his lips, and he realized he was enjoying himself. Stone chips flew
around him as the deadly ruby blade gouged the low ceiling just over his
head.

Jacen's grin faded as he tried to take a step backward and felt cold
stone blocks press into his shoulder blades. He parried another thrust,
sprang sideways, and fetched up against another stone wall.

He was cornered. An icy fist of fear clenched his stomach, and Jacen
dropped to one knee, flinging up his blade to ward off the next blow. A
sound like thunder echoed through the chamber. . . .

Jacen opened his eyes and looked up to see his uncle Luke standing in
the doorway, clearing his throat. Startled, Jacen fumbled to turn off
the lightsaber and accidentally dropped the extinguished handle to the
flagstones with a clatter.