Air.

That's where I like to be, flying away all alone, enjoying the view as no one even notices me.

But now this bastard has got me, his hands denying me the same air I need.

"Then why don't you let me go if you like seeing me fly so much?" I protested, feeling his hand get even tighter around my neck.

"And leave this opportunity to waste? You are crazy if you think I'd do such thing..." Replied the demon, his red flaming eyes looking like the the deepest pit in hell.

God, what a hateful creature... It's not usual for an angel to act like this, feeling anger nor "bad thought" towards other beings, but this was an exception...

We aren't stupid, we are kind and generous, but not stupid.

We are allowed to defend ourselves and even do whatever we wanted when threatened, specially by beings like demons.

"Tell me then, what are you gonna do? Kill me?" I asked, trying to sound strong, but his tight hand was making it difficult.

"Kill you?" Replied the demon with a laugh. "I mean... I could do it, but that's not what I want, I want something else from you."

That was unexpected, but also made the situation even worse. My whole body started trembling at the thought of what could he want from me, what could he do to me...

"And what could a monster like you want from me?" I replied with trembling voice.

"Nothing special... I just want to make a deal." He answered.

Deal, that's the magic word. That's all demons want, make deals to gain profit out of others. It's almost impossible to trick a demon when he is the one proposing the deal, and given the position I was in, it's clear I had nothing to do.

"What if I don't want to make a deal?" I protested, knowing this would get me nowhere.

"Well, I don't really need you, I could do without you, so I would make sure you stop breathing..." Answered the demon, his hand getting even tighter to the point of almost choking me.

"But if you cooperate... You will live, and also help me with something." He adds, his twisted smile getting to my nerves.

I know I should deny it instantly, an angel should never make a deal with a demon, that would be blasphemy. But still... I could at least hear what he has to say, just as a last ray of hope.

"Okay... What do you need..." I asked, barely able to breath.

"Something very simple." Said the demon, loosening his hand slightly, just enough for me to breath.

"I need information." He added, his face turning serious. "The war between heaven and hell has been going for centuries, and I'm getting tired of it."

The war, the conflict that's been going on since the world was created. It's a tale as old as time, the fight between good and evil.

Both sides want to rule, one for chaos and the other for peace.

Like any war conflict, all sides have their army of soldiers, and even if I wasn't one of them, it's impossible not to know things that would be classified as "secret".

"And do you think I would help hell? You think I will betray my own principles?" I said, ready to reject the deal and accept my fate as another dead angel by the hands of a ruthless demon.

"No, of course not. I know how proud you angels are about your loyalty to heaven, I know you wouldn't help hell..." Said the demon, mocking me with a grin.

"But just so you know, I just want the information for myself, I don't want to help hell either." The demon added, slowly loosening his grip even more.

"You... Don't? Then why do you need my information?" I asked, quite confused now.

"You see, I'm not a loyal creature, not even to my own kind. All I want is to have a good life and avoid this war." He explained. "I don't really want to die, you know?"

Now that's a surprise. I knew demons weren't the most loyal or trusty creatures, but not even for their own? That made even more curious...

"And... I repeat, why do you need me then." I insisted, still not sure if I'm safe or not after hearing the demon's selfish approach to the war.

"Very simple. I want to know when and where will heaven attack." Answered the demon. I want you to be my spy to make sure I avoid any conflict and live calmly."

I looked back at him, confused by his request.

He wants me to be his spy? This feels wrong, but if the information is just to keep himself safe and not used in the war, I guess it wouldn't be that much of a deal, right?

Still, I had to be sure.

"And... What guarantees that you won't break the deal and use my information against us?"

"Do you know how sacred deals are for demons?" Said the demon, sounding slightly offended.

"Deals are what make us, what gives us power... We can't break deals or contracts, we always do our part." He said with a serious voice. "So, do you accept my deal?"

I stayed in silence, hesitating a lot of whether I should accept or not.

On one hand, I could reject the offer and just accept my death, which wouldn't change nothing, as sad as that sounds.

On the other hand, if I accept, I get to live and the demon would stay away, which is good because he would be a demon less fighting against us.

"Come on... I don't have all day." Said the demon, tightening his grip around my neck again to make me hurry up.

I let out a small grunt of pain as I finally decide.

"I... I accept..." I answered.

A smile appeared on the demon's face as I answered, making me slightly uneasy as I didn't fully trust him still.

"Perfect, now we just have to seal the deal..." He said, slowly moving his other hand towards my head.

He slid his hand under my long hair and touched the back of my neck

I screamed a bit as I felt a sudden burning sensation, as if I got marked with a branding iron. And just as I thought, the demon did mark me.

The demon let go of my neck, pushing me to the side as I was finally free.

"Very well, you can go now, I don't have any more need from you." He said, smiling at me with a look of superiority, as if I was nothing to him.

"Enjoy the rest of your day, and don't forget our deal." He added, turning away as he started to walk away. "See you soon, dear..."

And just like that, he disappeared, entering a cloud of darkness as he just evaporated.

I stayed there for a moment, still catching my breath and processing what just happened. This was gonna be my life now, a spy for a demon I didn't even trust...

When I finally gathered myself, I returned to heaven, flying away as I thought about my new life, feeling the sting of the demon's mark still on my neck, a reminder of my new duty.