“Answer the question.”
“Answer mine.”
Killian glared down at her. Gods, if he thought she was stubborn before, she was absolutely impossible now without her soul. He ground his teeth as he waited for her to speak.
One moment Elyse was on the bed, and the next moment she had Killian pinned against the wall, her dagger at his throat. She bared her teeth at him in a wicked smile.
She was fast, but she wasn’t that fast. She hadn’t moved on the bed, hadn’t even leaned forward. Because she’d transported herself.
“Been working on your new trick?” Killian asked, forcing his words to sound aloof even though his heart was roaring.
Elyse hissed. “Awful cocky for someone with a knife to their throat.”
“You came here because you need my help,” Killian countered. “I can’t help you if I’m dead. So yes, I’m feeling rather cocky.”
Elyse’s answering scowl delighted him.
“I could cut off your balls instead,” she cooed.
Killian gulped, and the dagger grazed his Adam’s apple. “I’d prefer you didn’t,” he said as calmly as he could. But the lookin Elyse’s eyes genuinely terrified him. “I’ve played Dead Man’s Bluff,” he ceded.
“Are you any good?”
“Phenomenal.”
“Great. Then you’ll play for me.”
She released the dagger from his neck. With deft movements, she spun it and tucked it safely into her belt.
Killian stayed close to the wall, even as Elyse stepped back. As much as he disliked having a weapon held against him, he despised the chill of her body’s absence.
He took a breath to steady himself. “At the risk of angering you, I must ask: why do you need me to play this game?”
Elyse crossed the small space to the window. Without looking at him, she said, “So I can get the Blade of Hanael.” When Killian didn’t react, she sighed. “It’s the only knife capable of killing a demon.”
“Oh,” Killian breathed. The explanation surprised him. “So, you’re going after Lazarus?”
“Of course,” Elyse growled, spinning toward him. “That prick used me—humiliated me. He must be punished.” Her features burned with intensity, though her words were icy and bitter.
“And why can’t you play instead of me?” Killian asked, genuinely curious. “Surely you can use a spell or potion to—”
Her scoff cut him off. “There’s no magic allowed. The entire game will be warded against it.”
Killian maintained a neutral facade, though truthfully he was intrigued.
“Okay,” he began carefully. “I’ll help you, if—”
Elyse sneered. “This is not a negotiation.”
“Oh, but it is,” Killian said, giving her his brightest smile.
“Need I remind you of my offer to cut off your balls?” she taunted.
“Just—” he said, holding his hands up to assuage her irritation. “Hear me out.”
Elyse pursed her lips as she glared at him.
“When is this game supposed to take place?” he started slowly.
