Page 186 of Bloodguard

The fires continue to burn around me. I’m hot. I’m tired. My body is destroyed, and I’m mad as shit.

This ends now.

Calling up all my remaining adrenaline, I rush in the direction of the final crate, doing my best to avoid the piles of smoldering debris. I can’t outrun the colt, and I’m in no condition to leap over the saws.

I take my chances with the blades, swerving left until I’m racing dangerously close to the fire wall. The saws don’t reach me, and they sink back into the sand. They have a limit to how far they can travel. Something helpful at last.

They can’t get too close to the fire wall.

I can’t get close enough.

Sweat sizzles against my skin, and the smoke and fire threaten to cook me alive.

I keep going, screaming through my teeth.

The colt isn’t willing to risk her hide. She’s plenty willing to risk mine.

She charges me as I run away from the fire wall and head to the spot beside the last crate, jumping over the row of spears and the spring mechanism that launches them.

I leap one last time. The colt gives chase, the weight of the lizard slowing her just enough.

As I come down, I bring my axe down with me, right onto the spring.

Too many things happen at once. The spears shoot from the ground, their recoil stronger with less sand to push through. It’s perfect, a sudden shock of noise joining the clamor of slowly grinding metal and the screams of the people who watch us.

An arm’s length away, saws bounce against each other, dinging like raindrops on a tin bucket, except much louder. A few blades snap off, spinning through the air. At least two almost cut my head off, but damn if it isn’t all worth it.

Look at that.

I guess the saws connect to the same device that controls the spears. It wasn’t my intention to destroy the machine. The crowd thinks otherwise. Fine by me. Let them think I’m just that good.

I only meant to skewer the vampire colt.

And I did.

She whinnies that piercing, evil laugh even as spears puncture her immense body. No matter—she rips them out of the ground as she flees. The laugh grows louder and more shrill as she gallops toward me, steps faltering but not fast enough. Her tongue, more leech than anything, slithers out to grab me.

This is a good time to reach for my sword. In one fluid motion, I throw my arm out, slicing off the vampire colt’s disturbing tongue. I bend my screaming knees and lurch upward, plunging the tip of King Masone’s blade into her skull and out the other side.

I’ve heard cheers when I’ve done well in the arena and cheers when I didn’t think I’d leave here alive, but I’ve never heard anything like this.

A new Bloodguard has risen against all odds, and the audience responds in turn.

“Bloodguard!” they chant over and over.

I’m supposed to bow, I guess. I don’t. I was never here for them. I was here for my mother, who gave what little she had to her children, even at the expense of her life.

I was here for Rose, who placed her heart into each word she wrote.

And for Dahlia, who told me I was a hero long before I became one.

They’re not here. So nowImust be. Forme.

And for the one I will love for eternity.

Me and Maeve, we’re going to be together, build a family, and take back Arrow.

Pega stumbles to stand atop the crate. “You did it,” she slurs.

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