Breakwater by Shannon Mayer

forward.”
    “Enders?”
    “Yes.”
    I licked my lips, fear climbing my throat for a second time, and then I shrugged. There was little choice here, which meant I faced Mako no matter how afraid I was. I spun my spear out, pointing at Requiem. “What are the rules, if any?”
    Requiem let out a long low laugh, but the crowd didn’t laugh with him. “There are only three rules, Ender. First. Kill or be killed. There will be no ties.”
    Mako swayed where he stood, hands flexing. I looked at Bella. She would die if I failed, and once more, I would be the one who had fallen at the finish line. Requiem held up his hand. “Second. No weapons allowed. This is strength of body only. And third, no power of the earth or water may be used. Dolph, prepare her for the Depths.”
    Behind me, Dolph let out a soft groan, he spun me to face him and as his hands stripped me of my weapons, he spoke in a low whisper. “Lark, I will create a diversion, and you will run. No one will stop you. I can’t save you both but you can get away.”
    I put a hand on his shoulder. “I’m not leaving her.”
    “You can’t beat him.” Dolph grabbed my arms. “He’s a survivor of the cells and has killed a dozen Enders already.”
    “He’s not the only survivor standing in front of you, Dolph.” I pushed away from him and faced Requiem once more, a strange calm flowing over my body. I might die, but I would not do so without a knock-down, drag-out fight. Spreading my arms wide I turned a slow circle. “I have no weapons other than my hands. And now you will swear that my sister and I will go free when I kill your champion.”
    The crowd gave a low murmur and Requiem laughed and gave me a mocking bow. “On the redemption of my soul, on being denied the grace of the Mother’s last embrace, I swear that if you defeat my champion, you and your sister will be honored guests for the remainder of your stay.” His black eyes glittered as he watched me. Not exactly what I’d asked for, but I would take it.
    “Not if I defeat him. When.” I rolled my shoulders and the ground beneath my feet rumbled. The center of the coliseum where Mako and I stood lowered. Dolph stepped out of the center and moved to a seat along the tiers. Within seconds, I was staring up at the crowd. Mako and I had been dropped into a pit twice my height, and four times as wide that was quickly filling with water. Just below my waist, the flow stopped rising; deep enough to make someone think they could survive, but too deep to have any real range of motion. This was going to suck.
    Mako circled toward me, cutting through the water like his namesake.
    “Let it begin!” Requiem roared above us, and the Undines gave a weak cheer. Obviously, they weren’t any happier about this than I was.
    Mako splashed water at me, spraying my face. “Little Ender, you are too pretty. After I kill you, I’ll ask for your body.”
    I curled my lips, tasted the salt water, but didn’t take my eyes from him. Nor did I answer. The water pulled at me, slowing my movements to the point I wasn’t sure how the hell I was going to—
    Mako struck, his foot slicing through the water and slamming into my thigh. I sloshed in the water as I stumbled backward. He grinned at me. “Pretty little starfish . . . I’m going to lick your cold, dead titties.”
    Okay, that was disgusting, and I wasn’t letting him push me around with words or fists. I stopped moving. “Come then, you twisted, tiny man. It’s obvious you can’t get laid unless the woman is dead.”
    He nodded with such violence that his teeth clacked together. “Dead is better. No nagging.”
    Above us, Requiem roared with laughter. “That is the truth, my friends. Dead women don’t nag.”
    Mako slid through the water toward me and I held my ground. I had a couple of inches of height on Mako and I had to use it to my advantage. He came within range of my reach, then closer.
    “You aren’t afraid of me, why not?” He circled me