Page 180 of Bloodguard

Like Pega, he was drugged. But unlike Pega, he’s already halfway through unwrapping his chains. I enter slowly as he makes it to a standing position. He hobbles forward, leaning heavily on his diminished left leg.

I’m covered in a mix of blood and sand. All in all, I resemble a swamp creature parents warn their children against feeding. “Hey, Luther,” I say.

He smiles. “What the plan?”

“You’re going to the top of the crate. Pega will explain the rest.”

“Pega?” At my nod, he narrows his brown eyes. “Bastards.”

“Yeah,” I agree. “Ready?” I ask, not really asking. Ugeen called them a test of endurance, so I’ll wonder if the longer I spend in one place, the more likely those blades are to “randomly” appear underfoot. I’m not eager to test it.

He shuffles forward. It takes Luther stepping on my shrieking back and Pega pulling him up, but he makes it to the top, half drugged and glistening in the sun. That’s my buddy, Luther. The crate creaks, and I’m not sure it’ll support his weight.

But then the music resumes and it’s not my problem anymore. It’s fast this time, forcing me to take off in a sprint.

“Tell him, show him,” I shout over my shoulder.

I can’t be sure they’ll stay safe, but I can’t help them if they’re not.

I run at full speed to match the tempo, and as I pass the crate where I found Luther, it explodes. The blast propels me at an angle, and I land in a roll, hanging tight to my axe and sword.

The music keeps going, and so do I.

I circle the perimeter twice more before the music abruptly ends. I slide, digging my battered heel and my axe into the sand to stop. The front of my boot barely grazes the space between the crates.

The spears shoot up as if on springs, and I’m showered with sand.

“Damn!”Luther shouts a few crates behind me. That’s the quickest that giant haseverspoken.

If not for that shrill laugh of the vampire colt, I wouldn’t move right away.

Aside from the anxious whispering, the arena is quiet as I prowl forward.

Luther and Pega peer over from a crate three down from mine. They know what it is. It’s why they’re hiding.

Pega curses.

Luther does little more than shake his head.

Just another few feet and I’m at the crate door.

Again, the colt laughs. Again, she kicks. She’s ready to eat.

I’m ready to feed her—just not what she expects.

I charge, the last few yards between us vanishing beneath my feet. With a roar, I bring down my axe.

On the last two locks.

The colt rams the door. Bitch doesn’t realize she has to kick herself free the rest of the way.

I edge away from the door in the direction I came from.

I watch.

I wait.

I buy some time.

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