I backed up again, unable to go much further because of the dangerous spikes surrounding the arena floor. In my peripheral vision, I caught a glint of metal as something flew down from the crowd behind me. A knife thudded into the sand by my feet. Huh; so not everyone was against me. I picked it up, gripping the smooth blade in my sweaty, clumsy fingers. There was a scuffle in the audience, no doubt because of whoever had tossed me this weapon. I didn’t have time to worry about them; the demon was charging towards me again.

I took off, running away and following the ring of the arena round and round. I noted that the pixie was still breathing – that was something. The demon kept pace, hurtling behind me at full speed. When I felt it gaining on me, I switched direction and darted across the middle of the floor. It leapt high into the air, landing a foot or so away, then it kicked, catching me on my thigh as I spun away to avoid the blow.

I crashed in a shower of sand. I rolled, throwing myself into the movement to get away. When I thought I had enough momentum, I sprang back to my feet. The demon was already there in front of me and still grinning.

I raised my hand, the knife in front of me. For a second, the demon’s smile faltered as I gazed from the blade to its stomach and back again. With a shrug, I tossed the knife away and crossed my arms.

It blinked then it hit me on the side of my head and I went flying. The force of the punch was strong enough to send me crashing into the ground several metres away. I climbed to my feet again and again the demon came after me. This time it went for a kick to my stomach. I was thrown onto my back, wheezing for air. I tried to spring up but my body wouldn’t respond and I lay there, motionless, for several seconds. My opponent nudged me roughly and snarled. I knew what he wanted. He could have easily killed me by now but this was about more than ending my life; he was putting on a show.

I staggered up and faced him, stretching my arms out and waiting. He lunged and grabbed my hair and it felt like my scalp was tearing away from my skull. The pain was excruciating. He threw me in the air once more, sending me to the other side of the arena. I coughed, spitting blood. My vision was swimming but I got to my feet.

‘Great plan, Tegs,’ I muttered. ‘You’ve really outdone yourself this time.’ Then my knees buckled and I fell again.

The demon threw back his head and laughed. He started shouting at the watching crowd and they shouted back, delighted. I dropped my gaze; every iota of my strength was seeping away into the blood-soaked ground. I tried to push myself up again but I couldn’t. Then I saw the pixie lying less than three feet away.