Page 68 of Half Dead

His words circled the drain that was currently my brain. “Come again?”

The monster crossed his giant paws in front of him. “Are you not my meal?”

“They send you living people as food?”

“Not typically, but I have grown soft in my old age. I thought they might want me to get a bit of exercise. How fast can you run?”

I ignored the question. “Who’s ‘they?’”

“Those who fear me. Those who worship me. I suppose they are one and the same. If they keep me satisfied, I will have no desire to eat them when I awaken.”

Ever so slowly, my hand moved to the handle of my sword. “Is that true?”

The creature shrugged. “No, the truth is I am a vegetarian. Unfortunately it takes a rather lot of gourds to sustain a body of my size, and I only get a short time to consume them.”

My arm drifted back to my side. “Why not stay awake longer and take your time?”

“Would that I could, sweet child. The curse will not allow it.”

I should’ve guessed. “You’re cursed to sleep.”

“Indeed. I was caught grazing in a field that belonged to a prince. He thought I had eaten his cattle, which was forbidden, so the wicked creature had a wizard secure me here and curse me. The prince is long dead, yet here I remain for eternity.”

“I’m sorry. You didn’t deserve that.”

His gaze took in the weapons I carried. “And I can only be slain while I’m awake, which I imagine, is the reason you are here today of all days.”

Kumbhakara was a vegetarian and not inclined toward violence, yet I was expected to slaughter him? Well played, Lucifer. He knew I wouldn’t want to kill the creature in cold blood; it wasn’t my style.

And yet it was my only option if I wanted to succeed.

I released the handle of my sword. “We have a conundrum, friend.”

“I see. Who sent you?”

“No one you know. It’s a horrible game played by an even more horrible demon.”

“Then why participate?”

“Because another life depends on it.”

“Someone you love?”

It was no longer hard to admit. “Yes.”

The creature slammed a paw against his chest. “Then why do you delay? I am right here. An easy mark. I will not defend myself. I shall simply roll onto my back and expose my most vulnerable parts.”

I blew out a breath. “This was Lucifer’s plan all along.” Ithought I’d despised him before, but I really loathed him now. “I won’t fight you. It isn’t right.”

“Are you not a brave and powerful warrior? Why not claim your prize?”

My sword clattered to the ground. “I’m not a warrior.”

“Not with that attitude.”

“I don’t want to kill you.”

“If you fail, this Lucifer will kill the one you love.”

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