Betting On His Demon by Kelex Read Free Book Online

you.”
    Julian cried against the gag, so raw and emotion filled.  He wanted the picture Carr painted.  But he knew it couldn’t be, not until the contract was destroyed.
    If it could be destroyed.
    In his weakened state, Julian felt the first tendrils of doubt fill his mind.  Could Carr give him what he’d promised?  What if this was his hell—to taste what could be only to have it ripped from his grasp?  He closed his eyes, fear and torment filling his emptied body.
    Julian steeled himself, suddenly realizing how dangerous the game they played was.

     
     
     
    Chapter Five
     
    “Oh that isn’t anywhere red enough.  Where’s the cuts?  Where’s the blood?  I am shocked, Carreau.  I thought better of you.  I envisioned you wielding a flogger with great power, yet this is all I get?”
    Carr growled at Olivier as his cousin stalked up and yanked the flogger from his hand.  Olivier lifted his arm and slashed the implement over Julian’s raw skin.  Julian screamed behind the gag, the sound sending a shiver of alarm up Carr’s spine. 
    Before Olivier could lift his arm again, Carr jumped his cousin, knocking him to the floor and pounding his fist into the middle of Olivier’s face.  Olivier retaliated and flung Carr across the room.  As soon as he was freed, Olivier’s black wings unfurled and spread about him.  He lifted into the air and the flogger transformed into an elongated cat-o-nine tails.  Olivier whipped the tails toward Julian.
    Carr raced and threw himself between his cousin and Julian.  The cat-o-nine struck him in the chest, ripping his shirt open, but otherwise causing no real damage.
    “You will cease and desist, cousin.  You interfere with me punishing my human,” Olivier said, his lips curling in delight.
    “My human.  You knew he was mine, which is why you took him.”
    “He signed the paper, Carreau.  He gave himself to me willingly.  With no subterfuge, I gave him money and a pittance of years for his soul.  Now, you will back off or you will break one of your precious rules.”
    Carr stood his ground, refusing to move.  No one would hurt Julian, not while there was still breath in his lungs.
    “I have overlooked your cheating ways all these years.  You thought toying with me would gain you the win, but you take things too far now, cousin.  If you hurt him again, I will stop at nothing to hunt you down and make sure you pay.”
    Olivier’s eyes widened slightly, but he hid the look quickly.  “Do you not realize the humiliation I feel?  We’ve played this game too long.  I followed your rules for a millennia, and what do I have to show for it?  Nothing!  I deserve my day.  And if I have to use your mate to wrench it from your fingers, I will.”
    Olivier had guessed the truth, too?  He knew Julian was Carr’s mate.  Anger roiled through Carr’s body, and he clenched his teeth.  Olivier had always teetered on the edge, the dark side of his nature calling him, but Carr had hoped his influence had kept his cousin from letting it win. “This is how you show love for your mother?”
    “Keep her out of this,” Olivier said with a snarl.
    “Why should I?  She was my loving aunt.  She was born of the light.  Her blood courses through your veins, too.”
    “Amon’s blood is stronger.  And it’s been held back too long.”  Olivier’s wings moved faster, the breeze they caused ruffling Carr’s hair.  “It is time for change, cousin.  It is time to release the beasts and let them do their worst.  The building rage in the underworld will only be satisfied after a great war to level the playing field.  Don’t you understand that there can be no good without evil?  You’ve all become complacent.  It’s time for chaos to erupt so a new peace can be found.”
    “Chaos doesn’t breed peace.”
    “But peace breeds chaos, Carreau.  The hordes grow too large without war to lessen their number.  They threaten to overrun us all if we don’t let