The crowd roared in admiration, disapproval and confusion. They didn’t know what to make of this battle. Was it mock? Hammer was a candidate for governor. What was he doing, fighting like an inept movie villain?

The parasitic-induced madness took him, and Hammer disintegrated into a howling, shivering piece of flesh.

Rune opened the gate to Deputy Dave and the other officers working the festival, and as law enforcement rushed in to take Hammer away, he clawed at Adam’s boot.

Adam backed away from the scene, and someone caught him around the waist, hugged him hard.

It was Elle. “You won,” she whispered, but he heard her over the shouts of the crowd. “He’s insane. He would have killed you. He would have killed us. You saved us.”

Hammer shrieked at the police and cursed the EMTs who tried to stanch his bleeding.

Beside Adam, Rune spoke. “This sword smells funky.” She held Hammer’s sword.

“Don’t touch the blade!” Adam said sharply.

Rune took a startled step back.

Adam removed his leather gauntlets and the protection on his forearms. “Have it tested. He’s coated it with something.”

Rune dropped the sword. “Something?” She held her hands over her head.

“Poison would be the simplest. If you’ll give me a plastic garbage bag, I’ll dispose of these in a way that ensures everyone’s safety.” Adam let the leather fall into a pile on the ground. “Because Hammer might have access to other, more deadly substances. He doesn’t care how he wins.”

Rune stared at the blade as if it was a cobra. “What did you do to make him hate you so much?”

“I saw him as he really is.” Adam watched as the EMTs and police fought to contain the raging madman that was Hammer, to anchor him onto the stretcher, strap him down. “I did warn him. Now it’s too late for him to recover. He’ll die in agony.”

Elle said, “I’ll bet live videos are already all over the media.”

“Let me get this straight,” Rune said. “Big John Hammer arranged to fight you by bribing or intimidating the reenactor we’d first hired. Hammer replaced that guy with himself—”

“And shot at me in your shop with the intention of wounding me enough to give me a disadvantage.” Adam had followed all the ins and outs of this sabotage. “But not so badly I backed out.”

“He intended to win, and he knew he couldn’t win fairly,” Elle finished the explanation.

“He really is—or was—a very good shot,” Adam said.

“That was one helluva gamble.” Rune touched the strand of hair beside her face.

“I’m sorry about your hair, but Rune—this will be great publicity for the festival.” Elle smirked at her.