Sacrifice of Darkness - Alexandra Ivy Page 0,24

himself through the opening, but Frack had all the leverage. Not to mention a couple hundred extra pounds of muscle.

With a savage yank, Frack had Javad away from the bars and was carrying him over his head like a trophy. The crowd went nuts, screaming for Javad’s death.

So much for my adoring fans, Javad wryly acknowledged.

Struggling to break free of the orc’s crushing grip, Javad was helpless as the bastard bent his arms to ram his tusks into Javad’s back. The razor-sharp weapons sliced through Javad’s flesh, leaving a gaping wound.

Javad could feel his blood draining away at an alarming rate. Dammit. He had to do something. Now.

Closing his eyes, Javad concentrated on his powers, releasing just enough to cause a small fissure beneath the cage. The sharp sound of cracking stones echoed. Frack grunted as if confused by the tremor beneath his feet. Thankfully, the creature didn’t have the brains to realize the danger he was in. It wasn’t until more cracking sounded followed by a loud snap as the thick foundation abruptly split that he finally sensed the peril. By then, it was too late. The cage tilted, and he was forced to release Javad as he tumbled backward.

Landing heavily on the mat, Javad struggled to his feet. The crowd screeched for Frack to end the battle, but all Javad could hear was Terra’s soft cries of horror from above.

Frack took a second longer to shove himself upright, snarling in frustration as he stomped forward.

“Me squash you.”

Javad could sense the last of his energy draining away, but a flare of hope raced through him as he caught sight of the blood that leaked from beneath Frack’s armor. The creature’s assumption that he was impervious to harm just might be the means for Javad to win the battle.

Javad motioned toward the orc, his smile taunting. “You can try.”

Frack lumbered forward, smiling in anticipation as Javad pretended to be too weak to avoid the attack. Then, wrapping his arms around Javad, he squeezed him in a brutal grip. Javad ignored the excruciating pain of his bones snapping as he focused on his last hope of defeating the creature.

Curling his fingers, he rammed his fist into the armor. Over and over, he pounded at the same spot, forcing the metal deeper into the orc’s body.

The crowd noise receded, and his sight began to narrow as he started to black out. Still, he continued hitting the metal, driving it through the flesh and into the soft heart. Abruptly, the stench of orc blood filled the air.

Frack shrieked, belatedly realizing the danger. He released Javad and gazed down in horror at the destroyed bit of his shield. The creature had been so certain that he was protected, he could only gape in confusion as his life drained from his body.

Javad struggled to stay upright, knowing that he’d won the battle as Frack dropped to his knees and then fell flat on his face with a mighty thump.

This was it. He’d defeated his enemy. It was time to escape. All he had to do was leap toward the opening at the top of the cage and grab Terra.

Then they could…

They could…

Javad swayed, his brain filled with fuzz as he glanced up to see Terra stretching out her hand toward him.

He’d always known they could never have a happy ending. She was a Seraf who was trapped in her crystal temple, while he was a vampire stained with the blood of his opponents. Just like Romeo and Juliet, they were destined by fate to be forever parted.

The sappy thought faded away as blackness consumed him, and he tumbled on top of the orc.

* * * *

The crowd went wild as Javad collapsed. As if the sight of the two bloody and broken demons was the greatest thing in the world. Terra cried out, trying to jerk from the troll’s grip. She was desperate to get to Javad.

At the same time, Vynom entered the cage, smiling with cocky delight at the carnage he’d created.

The…scumbag.

Waving his arms, he encouraged the screams of raw violence. At last, the shouts died away, and Vynom moved to kick the dead orc in the head.

“As I promised, the battle of the century!” There was a brief roar of approval. “But I also promised you a once in a lifetime surprise,” Vynom continued, holding up a wooden stake. “An opportunity for the highest bidder to claim the honor of killing Javad the Vanquisher.”

Terra’s blood ran cold as the demons jumped to their