Page 51 of Gladiator Moon

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because they’re not truly alive. Because I’ve never met one that wanted peace. Never met one that regretted what it was doing. Every one I’ve faced existed for one reason only: to spread suffering. They’re extensions of you, given flesh and teeth and claws. Destroy one and there’s no soul left behind, no life actually lost. As we say on my home world, it’s all smoke and mirrors.” I pause. “In this case, mostly smoke.”

“You judge an entire species.”

“I judge actions.”

“And if one sought redemption?”

I tighten my grip on the Devil Killer. “Then I’d spare it.”

“You lie.”

“No,” I say quietly. “Hope is kind of my thing. But until that demon stands before me and chooses something other than cruelty, I’m going to protect innocent lives. Every time.”

Chapter Twenty-one

“So, what are you doing down here, vampire?” asks the Dark One.

“I came to offer you one last chance,” I reply.

“A chance to what?”

“To end this.”

The Dark One chuckles, suckling blood through a clear tube descending down from the ceiling. The tube occasionally pulses with great gobs of the stuff, and the Dark One guzzles greedily and loudly.

His molten eyes drift toward the Devil Killer. For the first time since entering his chamber, I think I detect something almost resembling caution. “You think because you carry that sword, you hold power.”

“Well, I can and will kill you. I’ve done it before, to the devil in my home world. End the Games. Return the warriors to their home worlds, destroy that disgusting tube, and remove yourself from the palace.”

“I am the palace.”

“So you say. Leave behind what you built and go away, and I will spare you. Those are my only terms.”

“I agree or die?”

“Yes.”

“Never!”

“Oh, and release every prisoner.”

“Never!!”

“And lift the teleportation spell.”

“That cannot and will not happen.”

“You will allow every kidnapped warrior to return home. Or you will be reduced to vapor. Have you seen what I have been doing to your demons? Your fate will be the same. This sword is no joke.”

He stares at me as blood dribbles from the corner of his mouth. He shakes his head. Wow, I think he actually considers my offer. Would have been better for him if he did.

I shrug. “Now I will kill you. Truth be told, this planet is better off without you. Hell, the whole universe, and any universe you have access to.”

He bursts into laughter and more blood sprays from his gash-like mouth. The feeding tube slips free from his sharp teeth, spilling precious ounces of the stuff all over. “Now look at what you made me do. Whoever just died up there in the Games, died for nothing!”