Middle Demons (Angels and Demons Book 2) Read Online Free Page A

knowing how Murmur was treated over there. Baal cut in, annoyed at his hesitation.
    “Shadow, I don’t have time for this. I’m already late for my meeting. Are you in?”
    “Yes. Muan and Murmur are both on the line in addition to all of the human souls.”
    “Both of you swear on your own lives and on the life of the Dragon.”
    They both agreed to the terms and swore the oath accordingly. Baal turned and left.
    Shadow looked at his cards. A 8. Dead man’s hand. He smiled at how appropriate this was for the leader of the department of murder. He had always considered it his lucky hand.
    The first three cards came up: A 8 6. Shadow moved half of his chips into the middle.
    “Pretty confident in your hand, huh?”
    “Obviously. It’s my lucky hand.”
    Lucian matched his bet.
    “You’re not the only one with a lucky hand, little Shadow.”
    The next card came up: a king. Shadow decided he had to play it strong and hope that Lucian didn’t have aces or kings in his hand.
    “All in.”
    Lucian raised both eyebrows.
    “What does the little Shadow have? Pocket aces? Pocket kings? Somehow I doubt it’s either of those…”
    “Texas hold ‘em is a game of betting and bluffing. It’s not about bullshitting. I put you all in… are you in?”
    “I’ll call.”
    Lucian slid all of his chips to the middle of the table. Shadow moved most of his there as well to match it. Lucian flipped his cards: 6 6. He had three of a kind. Shadow slammed his down on the table.
    “Three sixes to your two pair. I hope you said goodbye to the loincloth monkey earlier today because he’s about to join a real department. Well… that’s if I decide to let him live.”
    “I still have a few outs. Flip the last card.”
    Shadow had a small pile of chips still in front of him but he knew that if he didn’t win this hand, he may as well concede the game. Lucian placed the last card down on the table. The eight of hearts. Shadow grinned.
    “Looks like I’ll be leaving with all of the souls and a new recruit.”
    “Actually… you won’t be leaving at all.”
    “Meaning that you have this place surrounded?”
    “Yes.”
    “So all of that stuff about not killing other…”
    “You aren’t a major demon, Shadow. You like to run around and play one but the Dragon hasn’t appointed a new head of the department of murder. You might be considered for the spot so I think it’s easier to just end your life right now.”
    “How many demons are in your army, Lucian?”
    “Millions.”
    “You’re that scared of me? Didn’t think you could take me down yourself?”
    “I definitely plan to kill you myself, but I’ve learned to be prepared. See that’s one thing you still don’t understand. You got lucky when you killed Asmodeus or maybe he was never really much of a demon. I’m not like him. I have thousands of years of experience. Your uncle and father were the closest to my level and look what happened to them.”
    Rage flashed briefly through Shadow’s eyes but he fought it back. He couldn’t lose control right now; he needed to focus so he could find a way out of here.
    “The way I see it, Lucian, you have two options right now. Number one, you could fight me yourself and we end this feud. I’ll kill you. Number two, you can refuse to fight fairly and try to take me down with your army. It’ll be pretty humiliating when I get past your ‘millions.’ After I escape, I will make my way down to the lowest circle of Hell and petition the Dragon for the right to rule my uncle’s department. You won’t like what happens when he grants my request.”
    Lucian laughed.
    “You’re a pretty talented liar, Shadow, and that means a lot coming from me. Your first option is laughable because the chance that you would kill me is slim. Your second option is ridiculous because there’s literally NO WAY you will get past my army. While you may think that you won our little card game, keep in mind that I’m the one holding all the