Promises of a Deadly Bind {Sequel to Games of a Different Kind}

Chapter 3

"Why the hell would you want to do that?" I asked Tyros. My hands twitched by my sides and his eyes followed the movements. I cursed mentally at my lack of control in this moment. Every second I was spending with Tyros was a second more than I ever wanted to. This was Raxis's brother and I didn't know how it was in the Underworld- but blood runs thick.

"Raxis is my elder," Tyros shrugged, his dark eyes bright. "In the case of his... unfortunate death, I would ascend his place as Lucifer's right-hand. There's a lot of power contained in that position... and I plan to take it." 

"Raxis is no longer in central command," I informed him, shaking my head. "He was banished to Earth- even I know that." 

"And I know that as well," Tyros sallied back. "But Raxis's time on Earth has been long and he has collected many souls with that delicious scheme of his. Lucifer will bring him back in command with that record." 

"That delicious scheme you talk of killed thousands of our people," Liam snapped angrily, his body trembling. It was like he was on the verge of stalking forward and strangling the life out of Tyros. 

Well, if strangulation actually killed Tyros that was. 

"Thousands of mortals, yes," the demon sighed. "It was necessary- the price to be paid, in any case."  

"The price?" Liam questioned, confused at this point. I already knew the answer. 

"Mortals have to pay a price when they spend time with supernatural beings," I explained impatiently. "Angels take their time and demons take souls." 

"Very good, little Danielle," Tyros complimented me, his eyes shining with amusement. "You know your ancient lore well." 

"Maybe," I replied evasively, not wanting to reveal my entire time with Zalia. "What changed your mind from the last time we crossed paths?" 

"Oh, you mean where I nearly sent you back to Raxis?" Tyros said thoughtfully. "It was a test, mainly. If you made your escape- I believed you might be able to stand a chance against Raxis. If not, well you weren't very useful to me then." 

"Risky," I commented sharply. 'How can we trust you?" 

"Trust me?" Tyros laughed, stepping back a few steps from me. "You can never do that. You should never do that. The only person you should ever trust is yourself- not even this little boyfriend of yours." 

"He's not my boyfriend," I snapped, not quite able to withheld myself. 

"My mistake," he grinned, showing pointed teeth. I shivered at the sight of him and turned away, trying to regain control over myself. My mind was in a tumult- how could I let Tyros into this little mission? He was Raxis's brother after all and I couldn't be sure betrayal had to have been a family attribute. 

Liam walked over to me and bent his head close to mine so that he couldn't hear. With his demonic qualities, I wasn't sure whether enhanced hearing was involved in the demon's starter kit. 

"We shouldn't let him in," Liam whispered to me, his face lined in planes of mild disgust and distrust. "As soon as our backs are turned, he'll stab us in the back." 

"The thought crossed my mind," I admitted, throwing a glance Tyros's way. He was perfectly composed- and a flicker of a smile seemed to play out on his thin lips. The look was not a trusting one on him.  "But he could be useful." 

"Useful in betraying us, sure," he snorted. "He tried to sell you out to Raxis last time, if you remember." 

"Which he did explain away as a test," I argued, caught between sides.