Page 128 of Bloodguard

Luther scrutinizes me. He seems on the verge of arguing. I have never argued with a giant. There’s no point. I enjoy my limbs and prefer them attached to my body.

I half expect him to swat me away like he did the other man, but I hope Luther will consider my words.

“Yes,” he says finally. “When?”

Fuck yeah.“I don’t know. We need to organize.”

He nods. “How many?”

“Two gladiators so far,” I say.

He tilts his head. “Then…four?”

“No. You and me are the two.”

Luther makes this odd choking sound. I think he’s swallowed something the wrong way until I realize he’s laughing. At me.

“Good start,” he says.

He turns his head as my voice drops even further. “Get a feel for some of the others. Start with those you saved with the remedies.”

“Yes,” Luther says.

We talk at least an hour more, and I think it must be getting a bit easier for him. I’m glad. I always knew Luther had more to say than his anatomy allows. When this is all over, I will learn the language of giants. Maybe. They have a strong connection to nature, and I’m not completely sold I’ll be able to speak “tree.”

Gladiators are pulled left and right. Like my friend said, no one comes back. By the three-hour mark, there’s enough room in each pen to easily move around.

The sun is high in the sky now, heating the stink around us. The body count weighs on me. Something truly wicked waits inside. Goody.

I stretch again. There’s nothing better to do, besides panic, and that shit never helped anyone. Luther does the same, anxiety showing even on him. There’s no guarantee he won’t betray me. And I can’t be certain someone won’t betray him. But change starts somewhere. This somewhere is in a pen reserved for swine.

Luther makes a motion to signal that a guard is approaching. It’s the only movement he makes.

The human guard strikes the metal gate with his sword, cutting three fingers off the fool dwarf who thought he could rest them there.

“Pretty boy,” the guard calls.

I’m not trying to be cocky, but I don’t think the guard is talking to the muddy bastard picking his nose.

The guard swings his sword from side to side, the possibility of my imminent death adding to his glee. “Let’s go,” he says to me. “Time to bleed.”

chapter 46

Maeve

It feels like a fever dream. One I can’t wake from.

One in which I can’t see.

One in which I can’t breathe.

Is this what it is to die?

Alone in a suffocating inferno, unable to move my limbs?

I turn my head, searching for my fathers in the darkness so they can tell me it’s going to be okay. Or Neela so she may stroke my hair to soothe my fear. I keep turning my head or at least trying to. Where are the little estrellas? They need to sleep with Father so they may keep him warm and feel safe.

ButIdon’t need warmth. I need water. My stars, why is it so hot?

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