“Two things, Kris. One, Rhyn can get us into Hell, where Toby is. Two, I’d rather not piss of Death. If we can talk Rhyn off the ledge, maybe she won’t crush us all,” Kiki said.
“You want me to help you save Rhyn from himself,” Kris said, crossing his arms.
“Maybe we should give him a second chance.”
“Really, Kiki? Have you forgotten what he did?”
“No, but I don’t think he’s the same Rhyn we sent to Hell. I think he deserves a chance to make things right.”
Kris wanted to think that Kiki was the demon trying to drag him into Hell for nefarious purposes. It was almost easier to swallow than reaching out to help the brother he’d held as his enemy for so long. And who might’ve been more able to hold the Council together than Kris.
Kiki was waiting for him to speak. “If you can’t do it for Rhyn, do it for Toby. We need Rhyn to get him out of Hell.”
“Ok,” Kris said slowly. “Give me a couple of hours then we’ll leave.”
Kiki nodded without leaving the tent. “What’s wrong, Kris?”
“Nothing,” Kris said and turned away. “Go rest up for a couple hours.”
“You can do that to Tamer or Erik but not me. I see it on your face. Something’s bothering you.”
“It doesn’t matter, Kiki. I’ll do what I’m supposed to. It’s what I’ve resigned myself to do.”
“Try not to act so happy about protecting us all from demons.”
“It’s not that,” Kris said with an irritated glance towards his brother. “Kiki, I know none of you have faith in me. I’m trying to do what’s right, and you fight me all the way.”
Kiki was quiet for a moment. Kris sighed and sat down, rubbing his face. His body had not yet healed from the beating Jade gave him.
“I’ll admit, we’re skeptical. Andre was Andre. No one questioned him,” Kiki said at last. “He was the backbone for all of us. I think we all feel his absence.”
“No one more than me. I’ve got to deal with losing him and trying to manage you all.”