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

Prologue

A.N: Hi, sorry for the late update, but I'm going to get into a steady updating routine now. I'm back into the series and planned everything out :) Ten comments until the next chapter! Ciao for now :D

I ducked as the passage's roof dipped lower and slid down the slick grimy granite. The sounds of pursuit was fast upon us, the unearthly chittering just another reason to go faster. Liam was a couple of steps ahead, though he looked back constantly, to make sure I was still there.

The small passage spilled out into the main tunnels. I landed heavily, my ankle twinging slightly. Shaking it off, I ran- for the sunlight which was a faint spot on the walls ahead.

Too soon.

A taloned hand grabbed my ankle and I went down hard, with a cry of surprise. The creature flipped me on my back with inhuman strength, its bat-like face squealing with excitement. The other two joined its side: all chittering away.

I struggled, but they only held me down, resisting my strength and my urge to escape. While they conversed in their language, I took two breaths.

One.

Two.

I struck out, hitting one with my knee. It squealed in pain, bumping into the other- knocking it down like dominos. I swung my arm in a sideways punch, throwing the other against the tunnel wall. They may have their strength, but so did I, and their small bodies had nothing against me. As I leapt to my feet, I gave the two in front- goodbye kicks, to keep them out of commission.

"You alright?" Liam asked me, panting hard, finally joining me. "I came back but-"

"I've got it under control," I answered him. "Let's go."

We set off through the tunnels, making it to the surface. Mission accomplished. Slintas had given us the first stepping-stone for our search for Raxis. A lower demon- Klaveese. Unfortunately, the unfriendly neighbourhood was right on the demon's doorstep, involving the Whiveratus creatures before. They preyed on the lost and the plain unlucky- always bringing in their prey for their dominant master Whiveratus.

"You ready?" I asked Liam, as we approached the entrance to Klaveese's abode. He nodded, his face dirt-smeared from our trip in the tunnels. I had no doubt that mine was the same, if not worse. Scrapes decorated my body, like the pictures on Raxis's wall, blood streaming from many of them. Life wasn't pretty when you traveled in the Underworld.

Facing me in front, was a stone door- or more precisely, a rock face. Klaveese's choice of house varied far differently from mine- caves weren't exactly my dream home.

Raising my hand, I traced a symbol in the air, like I was drawing a K with curled edges. The air fizzed and sparked, giving me a nasty swift burn. I withdrew my hand quickly, blowing on it to keep it cool. Cracks started to appear on the rock face, the material rumbling and shifting. Inside, was dark and not exactly welcoming.

But, exactly as I had been doing, the last month, I went inside, knowing that if there would be an ambush, I might we well get it over with. Liam followed me inside, his breath hot on my neck. Inside of the cave, was much as I had expected.

Dimly lit candles, heavy and torn scrolls and tomes and a collection of human treats. Demons liked to prize themselves on having a library of human parts. Some liked arms, some legs- some eyes. This one preferred fingers and toes, by the looks of the messily heaped jars on the side desk.

"Oh my, my," a voice came from the darker part of the room. "What have we here?" A woman- long and almost skeletal in her frame- walked into view. Her eyes were red, instead of black- denoting her amount of power (which obviously wasn't very much). The higher you were, the darker the eyes. Raxis's were pitch-black.