Page 16 of Insanium (Devil’s Playground)

Eryx closed the distance in a few long strides, his movements swift and predatory.

Juno’s frustration boiled over as Kristy still refused to let her go. “This is bullshit,” she snapped, trying to pry herself from Kristy’s iron grip, but she clung on, desperate and wild-eyed.

Raphael, not to be outdone by the dramatics, removed his mask and flashed me that annoyingly perfect movie-star smile, as if we weren’t in the middle of something.

Kristy let out a shrill yell, her voice high with panic as Eryx reached them. “Don’t you dare touch me!”

Ignoring her protests, Eryx deftly moved Juno aside and grasped Kristy by both arms. With a powerful yet graceful motion, he effortlessly lifted her off the ground.

Kristy’s legs flailed, desperately searching for solid ground, but Eryx’s grip was unbreakable.

Her screams pierced the stale air of the shed, echoing off the walls until they were abruptly silenced.

Eryx hoisted her up and impaled her on one of the sharp hooks hanging from the ceiling.

The metal spike went right through the bottom of her jaw, silencing her with a brutal finality that left her gasping for air as she dangled helplessly.

Blood dripped down her chin as the hook pierced her cheek, leaving a gruesome trail in its wake.

“What the hell is actually going on here?” I muttered under my breath.

Eryx gave Kristy’s shirt another sharp tug, pulling her down even more forcefully before turning his attention to Aisha and me.

As much as I hated to admit it, his brutal efficiency was unsettlingly attractive.

“Cameras are down for the next eight minutes, give or take, so we need to make this quick.”

Juno, still caught in the fallout, demanded, “How did you know we were in here?”

Eryx dismissed her question with a flick of his wrist. “Asking that kind of question is a waste of time.”

Meanwhile, Raphael chimed in almost simultaneously, “Who do you think told Kristy to lead you here? Well, not you specifically. We were after her.”

My eyes flitted from them to Kristy’s dangling form. “I thought you two had a thing.”

Eryx’s face remained impassive. “I manipulated her into serving my needs.”

“Hm, sounds familiar,” I mused, folding my arms. “I know a few other guys who do that.”

His eyes narrowed slightly, a dark edge shadowing his tone. “None of them are me.”

“Don’t try to be scary, Eryx. I know a set of twins who can out-terrify you twice over on their worst day.”

“This isn’t about scaring you,” Eryx retorted smoothly, his gaze unwavering. “It’s about wooing you.”

“Well, in that case”—I gave a dramatic sniff, feigning consideration—“do go on.”

Raphael stepped forward, adopting a more diplomatic tone. “We want to make an alliance—a pact, if you will.”

Raising an eyebrow, I leaned back slightly. “And why exactly was I singled out for this special, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?”

Eryx’s unexpected laugh was disarmingly charming, the sight of his full smile transforming his usually stoic face.

“Well,” he began, his eyes locking with mine, “besides the obvious—your ties as a Vetis and my status as a Draven—we’re natural allies for the Playground.” Before I could interject, he continued, preempting my response. “I know about your alliances already.”

“Aisha,” Raphael chimed in as if I needed the clarification.

“And Sinclair,” Eryx added, his tone serious. “But do you really think that’s going to be enough when everything hits the fan?”

Now, he had my full attention—not just curious but hooked on finding out how and what he knew he knew about the twisted undercurrents of our competition. “And just how are you two so well-informed?”

“We have our sources,” Raphael said, his voice flat.

Eryx stepped closer, his presence commanding. “Let’s just say that we’re always a few steps ahead. Joining forces doesn’t just benefit us; it’s a lifeline for you, too.”

The notion of needing a lifeline irked me, but his offer also intrigued me. “And what do you get out of this?” I probed, eyes narrowing slightly.

“Security in numbers, Kennedy,” he replied smoothly. “And with your influence and our resources, we’d be untouchable.”

I liked to think I was already at that level, but my beauty didn’t make me pig-headed. I wasn’t at that point yet, and I would need people with me whenever I got there. “Continue, because I’m not convinced yet.”

Eryx’s smirk widened, his eyes locking onto mine with a playful yet intense look. “You’re also a bit batshit and maddeningly beautiful, Kennedy. Who wouldn’t want you on their side?”

I laughed, shaking my head slightly. “Now you’re just trying to make me blush.”

Raphael leaned against a workbench, arms folded, a smile playing on his lips. “He’s not wrong. You’re like a storm no one can look away from.”

“I would say I’m more a whole damn disaster making landfall,” I replied, enjoying their somewhat poetic descriptions. “So, how exactly did you two pull off the masks and cameras being down?”

“Technically they’re on a loop, but it’s only temporary. And as for the masks, we took them off some other guys. Their bodies are in the woods somewhere. It made it easier for us to move if we … blended in,” Rafe explained

Eryx shifted his gaze between Aisha and me, his expression serious. “And just so we’re clear upfront, Sinclair’s included in this pact. We’re aware of his importance to you, and we respect that.”

Raphael nodded in agreement. “We’re not out to disrupt what you have with him. In fact, it’s in our best interest to keep all your … interests safe.”

Aisha looked at me, eyebrows raised, as if to say, Are you really buying this?

“Sounds tempting,” I replied, watching them both closely. “But I also want assurances. Not just your words. I want something solid.”

“What do you need?” Rafe asked, his tone earnest.

“A guarantee. Something that proves this is legit.”

They exchanged a quick glance before Eryx responded. “Well, that’s easy. You get us.”

“Get you how?”

“However you need us,” Raphael replied smoothly.

“However you want us,” Eryx added with a slight smirk,

I glanced at Aisha again, who returned my look with a silent nod, giving her tacit approval. I turned back to them, my expression playful yet calculating. “And if I want two collared, obedient pets?”

Eryx’s eyes glinted with amusement, and Raphael’s lips twitched at the corners. “Not sure about obedient,” Eryx admitted, “but loyal, protective, unhinged, and at your beck and call. How does that sound?”

The proposal hung in the air, charged with the promise of danger and the thrill of control.

It was an enticing offer—one that had more pros than cons.

Control. Power. Chaos. All elements I thrived on, and they were offering it on a silver platter along with watching out for Sinclair and being in the know about plans for the Infernal Syndicate.

“Sounds like a deal to me,” I said, extending my hand to seal the pact. “But keep in mind, if you fuck me, I’ll fuck you harder.”

“As will I,” Eryx said, a wry smile forming on his lips as he took it.

I did the same to Rafe and asked, “What would you have done if I said no?” I asked curiously.

“Our long-term partnership was always contingent on you,” Rafe replied earnestly.

“So, you two wouldn’t have linked up?”

Eryx shook his head, his eyes serious. “We already did before this all came about. We had our own reasons for working together. If we hadn’t, we’d be trying to kill one another.”

“Shirtless?”

Eryx’s lips twitched, a hint of amusement breaking through his typically stern demeanor. “What exactly do you mean by that?”

“Never mind.” I waved him off. “So, how does this grand pact work?”

“Well, for starters, we’re going to put these masks back on and get out there to clear your way. Wait two minutes and then come out. Go around to the other side of this building, and you’ll see the path. A little way down will be someone you’re waiting for.”

Aisha glanced between us, her expression a mix of intrigue and concern. “Just like that?”

Rafe nodded. “Just like that.”

Eryx looked over at Juno. “Do we need to make sure she can’t and won’t share this conversation, or is she still loyal to your brother?”

Wow, he really had done his research. “She’d already be gone if my brothers thought she was an issue.”

“I won’t say anything,” Juno quickly supplied.

Eryx gave her a long, evaluating look, his gaze sharp enough to slice through the tense air. “Good. We’re all clear then.”

He and Rafe pulled their masks back over their faces, transforming once more into the enigmatic figures of Judicium . Before slipping out the door, Eryx turned to me and said, “We’ll see you soon.”

They vanished as quickly as they had appeared, leaving behind a palpable silence that left Aisha, Juno, and me staring at the sight of Kristy still hanging from the hook, her body occasionally twitching in an imitation of life.

Aisha let out a low whistle, breaking the silence. “Well, that was something.”

“Yeah,” I replied, my eyes still fixed on Kristy. “Something they clearly took time to plan.”

“Is she …?” Juno began to ask, motioning to Kristy.

“Her breathing is shallow, but she’s not dead yet.”

Aisha glanced at the door through which Eryx and Rafe had exited. “So, what now? We just follow the plan?”

“That’s the best course of action,” I confirmed, already moving toward the door, feeling a mix of adrenaline and apprehension.

I didn’t trust them anywhere remotely enough to take all their pretty words at face value.

Whatever they did or didn’t do within Judicium from here on out would clue me in on just how serious they were about this pact.

I pushed the door open, and they followed as I rounded the corner of the shed, the path forward unmistakably clear.