Free Burn (Drift Book 3) by Michael Dean Page A

history. Well, those that still dwelled on earth, that is. All of them were taking in the festivities, clapping, and laughing at the scene below.
    When m y eyes panned down directly beneath them on the dirt field of battle itself, I saw a figure chained to what looked like a very large wooden crucifix. I realized almost immediately that it was Shade. The crucifix was stuck into the ground and chains held Shade in place. They were tied around her wrists and feet, very similar to the way I was held in the Caverns of the Forgotten. I could tell Shimmer hadn’t taken her as his bride yet. Their word was kept, but the sight of her distress lit a flame of fury within me that needed to be released.
    I leaped off the peak I was standing on and jumped down to the battleground. I landed in a three point stance, directly in the middle of the six vampires that were battling one another in good fun. I raised up slowly. Everything stopped and the crowd hushed as I stood. I made eye contact with the worn out, exhausted Shade and she flashed me a big smile. She seemed too tired to call out to me, but I could see her lips move. I couldn’t make out what she was saying. I could tell she was very happy to see me, though. Her dingy hair was covering her face, but I could see for sure now that she was still human by the color of her eyes.
    “My friends, it’s nearly time for our main event!” a voice echoed from above me. My eyes shot up to see Shimmer rise from his seat and begin clapping. This caused the crowd to roar in delight. I took this moment to survey the entirety of the massive complex. I looked up and turned a complete three hundred and sixty degrees. The Cavity looked even bigger when standing at the base of the battleground…and it was loaded, shoulder to shoulder, with screaming vampires. It was a very intimidating site to behold, even for a demon.
    “My gods and goddesses, behold, the one who claimed Diccit tidel, the vanquisher of Queen Agrelia, and the biggest traitor of all time.” The crowd hissed and booed. “The love-struck hero demon…Leo Cutler.”
    Shimmer waved his hands up and down in an effort to calm the rowdy mass and they did as he commanded.
    “My friends…I know you are anxious to see me dispatch this delinquent, but first, I have a little something… more in store for you. An appetizer…if you would be so gracious.”
    Immediately my first thoughts were, Here we go with the changing of the rules again, but I had no choice other than hear what game he was about to play next.
    “For Leo here to gain the prestigious opportunity of a one on one confrontation with me, ” like Agrelia wasn’t enough of a test, “he first must prove he is worthy. So I will issue a challenge to our brave brothers below…a true test of ssssssstrength.”
    The combatants surrounding me looked at one another in confidence as Shimmer continued.
    “The first brother capable of killing this traitor, keeping me from having to sully my hands with him, I will make a member of my personal high council.” The crowd began to oohh and ahhhh and Shimmer had to motion for them to quiet again.
    “Along with that great honor, he will have a permanent place at mine and my beloved queen’s dining table in the great ballroom and he will also be able to have the first dance this very evening with my new bride…after I’ve had the pleasure, of course.” He waved one hand down to Shade and crowd roared in exuberance.
    The six blood blisters all glared at me with hunger in their eyes. I looked back up to see Sierra hand Shimmer the Demon Dagger and he held it up in display to the loud mob before purposely throwing it into the arena. It stuck into the ground right in front of Shade’s shackled feet on the crucifix. The blade was sitting there for any vampire to simply pull out of the ground.
    “Let the games begin! To the winner goes the sssssspoils!” The crowd exploded in glee.
    Without a moment’s hesitation the s ix blisters came