Page 115 of The Star's Sword

“Finish your point, Cleo,” Vasara said, folding her arms. “The vampires are getting tired of your lies.”

The vampires cheered at that.

I looked into the eyes of those I knew. “You were there. You saw me donate,” I said. “You saw how painful it was, yet I kept coming. I gave so much.”

“We only worked down there to keep an eye on you,” a vamp shot back. “We never liked you. Trying to steal Vasara’s place.”

“So you saw me donate?” I asked.

“It doesn’t matter,” they said. “You’re full of tricks. We won’t believe a thing you say, thanks to Vasara warning us.”

“Cleo has never tricked anyone!” Cayne shouted, finally losing his patience. “You ignorant, stupid pigs!”

“Cayne,” Simon said.

“Look,” I said, putting up a hand. “I know you hate me. I know I didn’t do a good enough job convincing you. I didn’t think I was too good for you. I was just trying to keep you alive by giving blood, and protect the world by focusing on training.” I sucked in a breath, looking at Vasara, heart pounding at the idea of all these people dying just for trusting the wrong person. “But don’t die. Don’t give your lives for nothing.”

“Time’s up,” Simon said apologetically, but there was something in his eyes that made me think he wasn’t worried about losing these vampires at all.

Then again, everything about Simon was subtle, including his anger.

“Vasara, your turn.”

Vasara turned to look behind her smugly. “My vamps know what to do. Who is strong. Who to trust.” She turned to face my friends. “You really want to die for this weakling? Your loss.”

Done, she put her hands on her hips, satisfied.

My heart was still hurting for the loss of life that was surely coming. I knew a runner when I saw one, and a runner would always run, no matter what, or who, was at stake.

“If either champion steps off the podium to take a break from the trial, everyone on their side will be penalized. If a champion leaves the arena, they will forfeit the match and everyone on their side will be penalized to death,” Simon announced, as two stone podiums raised up, two feet across, one on each side of the line, for Vasara and I to stand on.

I stepped up to mine.

“If both champions survive all trials, then a draw will be called. No one can leave until the trial finishes.” He turned to the vamps and then my friends. “Anyone else want to leave or switch sides before we start? It will be impossible for you to move, soon.”

There were cheers and taunts, and Simon shook his head darkly. “So be it,” he muttered.

I heard gasps as thick gray ropes wound up around each tile, wrapping the ankles of the creature standing on it, holding them in place.

“This is no problem,” the vamps said, turning to each other and trying not to look nervous. “Vasara is the strongest, after all.”

“She beat the king of hell,” another vampire said.

I winced again at how misinformed they were.

“There will be nothing to hold the champion on the pedestal, as this is a test of will,” Simon said. “And that’s all! Champions on your pedestals, and when I get outside the arena, we’ll start!”

I still wanted to know how feeding on Vasara had given Simon creation abilities, but I had other things to focus on.

Like how much this was probably going to hurt.

But no matter what, if it meant pain for my friends, I would never leave this pedestal.

39

Simon exited the arena and the forcefield door slammed shut.

Vasara and I stood on our pedestals, facing each other, her arms folded, mine loose at my side.

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