Page 90 of Hell Fae Commander

I’m not. But I understand that you can’t trust me yet. Just tell me what you need, Ajax. I’ll do it. I vow it.

My eyebrow inched upward. “That’s a dangerous proclamation.”

Then test it,he dared me.Give me a task. Tell me what to do, and I’ll do it of my own free will.

My gaze narrowed. “Meaning you want me to lift the spell so you can prove you mean it.” I shook my head. “Wow. You almost had me believing you, Az.Almost. But there is no way in hell I’m lifting the spell. The moment I do, you’ll just drag us back to Lucifer. Then it’ll be game over.”

“Maybe he will, maybe he won’t.” Cami’s voice came from the trees, preceding her return. She gave me a critical look before focusing on Az. “I want to see what he’ll do.”

I gaped at her. “You want me to release him?”

“Yes. I want to give him a chance to prove his loyalty.”

“And when he breaks our trust again?” I demanded. “What then?”

“Then we’ll know,” she replied, her gray eyes flickering toward me. “I don’t want to live in a world of what-ifs and wondering who to trust. I want facts and undeniable truths. No games. No prolonging the inevitable. No guesses. Just straight answers. Release him and we’ll know. End of discussion.”

“If I release him, he will take us to Lucifer,” I reiterated. “I’m certain of it.”

“Maybe,” she repeated. “But we both know I have to face him at some point. So release Az, and he’ll either escalate the inevitable or prove his worth. It’s our best play. It’s ouronlyplay.”

“I could keep him in a cage.” I’d offered that once before, but she hadn’t really accepted it. I’d absolutely do it. However, I’d probably forgo the chains.

“For how long?” she asked, suddenly sounding tired. “Hours? Days? Weeks?” She gave his Phoenix a sad look. “How is that fair to his beast? He’s not the one who chose to freeze you with his power. It was Az. And it’s Az who wants a chance to earn our trust back. I say we let him try. It won’t be an easy road, but I think he knows that.”

I do, Az whispered into my mind.

You’ve been talking to her, haven’t you?I realized.She figured out how to control her mental links.

No. I left her alone when she went on her walk.

My eyes narrowed slightly, suspicion overwhelming my mind. “Have you been talking to Az?” I asked Cami, needing her to tell me the truth.

“No. But I saw enough of his mind to know he’s regretful over what happened. I also know that spell you’re using is hurting him a lot more than Lucifer’s chains ever hurt me.” She took a step toward me, her expression matching the exhaustion in her voice. “Free him, Ajax. It’s the only way we’ll know his intentions.”

My jaw ached from me gritting my teeth so much, my frustration over this choice exhausting me almost as much as Cami was.

I hated that she was right.

We wouldn’t know Az’s intentions until I freed him.

And how long would this spell tame him, anyway?

I had no idea.

“All right,” I said, focusing on Az. “You want to try to earn my trust back?”

His Phoenix blinked as Az said,I believe I’ve made that clear, yes.

Now isn’t the time for condescending responses,I retorted.

Just get to your terms, Ajax. Tell me how to make this right.

My lips curled, but it wasn’t in amusement. It was in sinister expectation. Because he’d vowed to doanythingto fix this.

Which gave me freedom to demand whatever I wanted.

“Okay, Az. I’ll free you. But I want you to convince Lucifer to leave us alone.For good. And when you come back, I want you to give your Phoenix control again. Human form, animal form, I don’t care. But the bird will be in charge while you watch from the inside.”