Styxx (Dark-Hunter #22)

Styxx (Dark-Hunter #22) Page 43

"My husband's Greek. Not quite as old as you, but definitely not modern. Since he loves his native language so much, I learned it.... So who's Galen?"

"Galen was my son."

Her frown deepened. "I thought Acheron's nephew was Apollodorus."

"He was Ryssa's son, not mine."

"Oh..." Why did Ash never mention he had another nephew?

Styxx barely caught himself before he responded to her thought.

"Why are you here?" she asked.

"I was sleeping."

She rolled her eyes. "You know what I mean."

Get out was what she meant. He'd overstayed his welcome. Besides, if Acheron learned of his presence, there was no telling what he might do to him given his hatred. "I'll go back to my island. Sorry I disturbed you. I'll tell Urian not to bring me any more food." He glanced meaningfully to his clothes that were set on the table behind her as he lifted his sheet higher. "But I can't leave until you allow me to dress."

"I wasn't telling you to leave or to stop getting food. I was teasing about that."

"Oh. I'm not used to being teased."

"Are you all right?"

No, he wasn't. Styxx choked on the grief and sadness that her kindness evoked. He hadn't interacted with a woman like this since Beth. Nor had any woman touched him like that since the day she'd left to go to Egypt. And as bad as the memories had been, having awakened to Danger rammed the full weight of his loss down his throat.

"Fine," he breathed. But he wasn't fine. He hadn't been for thousands of years.

She moved to touch him.

Styxx flinched away from her. "Please don't." It hurt too much for a woman to be this close to him, and for her to lay her hand on his skin....

He'd rather have the priests and their hot brands.

Finally, she stepped back from the bed. "Would you like for me to make you breakfast while you dress?"

"Thank you, but I don't want you to trouble yourself."

"It's no trouble. Trust me. You'll be a lot easier to feed than two Charonte. It'll be waiting on you when you finish." She vanished before he could thank her again.

Danger paused by the boxes of foodstuffs as she glanced back to the room where she'd found Styxx. Acheron had ordered her to stay away from him. He'd been emphatic that she not go near Styxx's island.

But why?

He wasn't the monster Acheron had made him out to be. He was actually rather polite and bashful. Hardly the cocky asshole Acheron and Alexion called him.

She smiled as she saw the way he'd organized his food. Everything was meticulously placed, but then that made sense since he didn't have a lot to occupy himself with.

What did he do all day? There were no books, instruments, or anything of that nature. He had a small collection of handmade weapons and tools. And one really lovely bowl that had been carved out of stone.

She let out a low whistle as she ran her hand over the smooth surface. "You are incredibly talented." He'd even chiseled out a Greek key pattern around the edge of it.

Her smile faded as she realized his food consisted of nothing but Doomsday prep items. Everything was designed to be reconstituted or was dried, with a few fresh vegetables and fruits.

And one box of Simi's Ding Dongs.

"This is not meal worthy." She flashed herself back to the kitchen where she and Alexion cooked for Simi and Xirena, and Urian whenever he was home. As quickly as she could, she fried Styxx two eggs and some bacon and made a small stack of pancakes. Grabbing a glass of milk, she returned to him.

She'd just set it out on the table when he came through the door and paused.

His eyes lit up like Simi's whenever they had Diamonique on QVC. "Eggs and bacon?"

"Yes."

Even though he didn't smile, the joy in those electric blue eyes warmed her. But he didn't come any closer. Curious about that, she stepped away from the table.

Only when she was out of reach did he move to sit.

"It smells delicious. Thank you. I can't remember the last time I tasted eggs or bacon."

When he went to eat the pancakes like bread, she stopped him. "They're pancakes."

"Okay." He folded it to eat.

She bit back her smile. "It's not a pita, sweetie. You put syrup on it and cut it up."

He frowned as if he had no idea what she was talking about. "Syrup?"

They must not have had that in his day. She lifted the small container.

His scowl deepened. "Dark honey?"

"No. It's sweet like honey, but it's maple syrup." She poured it over the pancakes for him.

He hesitated before he tried it then he flashed a grin at her. "Who wants Ding Dongs when they can eat this?"

She laughed at his unexpected enthusiasm.

Then he lifted the milk and sniffed it. "Cow?"

"Um ... yeah." What did he think it was?

His expression said it was ambrosia to him. He took a deep drink. "I haven't had cow milk since ... I can't even remember."

Danger watched him. It was so disconcerting to see someone who looked so similar to Acheron and yet was so different. And as she studied him, she realized his short hair was really butchered and uneven.

Like he cut it with one of his handmade stone knives.

"Do you cut your own hair?"

He set his fork down and touched it self-consciously. "I'm sorry if it offends you. I don't have shears."

"It doesn't offend me. If you like, I could even it up for you."

His mood was much more somber as he returned to eating. "It doesn't matter. No one will see it."

Tears gathered in her eyes at his stoic tone. "I really don't mind. I cut Alexion's all the time."

Styxx considered it. He could only imagine how awful his hair must look to her, but honestly, he didn't want her touching him. "It's all right. I don't want to be any more trouble." He got up to wash his plate.

"Here," she said, holding her hand out. "I'll take it."

He hesitated before he gave it to her. "Thank you for your kindness. The food was delicious, and I really appreciate the gift."

Her heart aching for him, Danger inclined her head. "You're very welcome." Gathering up the dishes, she returned to the main hall.

"Where have you been?"

She paused as Alexion joined her in the kitchen. "I met Styxx."

He growled deep in his throat.

She held her hand up to stop him from saying a word. "Have you ever met the man?"

"Of course not. He's an arrogant asshole."

"Before you start trash-talking his character, sweetie, you should meet him. Believe me, I understand loyalty to Acheron. I have it, too, and I know what I owe the big guy. However, Styxx isn't the three-horned demon you think he is either. Did you know he had a wife and child?"

Alexion looked as stunned as she'd been. "No."

"What are we talking about?" Urian asked as he joined them. "Do I smell bacon?"

She sighed irritably. "Teach a Daimon to eat real food and he's impossible." She went to make more for him. "We were talking about your houseguest you didn't mention feeding."

Urian's eyes widened. "Um..."

"Don't worry. You're not in trouble. I was just telling Alexion that I think there's a lot more to him than we've been told."

Urian nodded. "No shit, right? You know who he is?" he asked Alexion.

He gave Urian a droll stare. "Acheron's brother."

One Urian returned full force. "You ever heard of the Stygian Omada?"

"I'm Groesian. Of course I've heard of it. Who hasn't?"

Danger looked up from the frying bacon. "Well, I'm French and confused. What's the Stygian Armada-"

"Stygian O ... mada," Urian repeated.

"They were a legendary army that waged war against Atlantis," Alexion explained. "In all of Greek history, it was the only army that ever fought on Atlantean soil and won. They were practically on the main steps of the palace when they were called back to Greece for peace talks."

"Yeah." Urian jerked his chin in the direction of the temple where Styxx was staying. "And brother Styxx was their general the army was named for."

"Bullshit!" Alexion roared in denial.

"No. Real. I saw the battle scars on him myself. Ash has always said he was from Atlantis. He's never mentioned the Greek city-state he was born in so I didn't know.... But Styxx is Styxx of Didymos."

Alexion gaped. "You're shitting me."

Urian shook his head sarcastically.

"Again, French Revolution here. Les Mis, I get. This..." She wagged the spatula. "My extent of Greek history is Troy with Brad Pitt and," she looked over at Alexion, "Mr. Luscious in his armor."

Alexion went bug-eyed. "Please don't call me that in front of Urian."

Urian laughed then sobered and explained it to her. "Didymos was the Athens of its day, and Athens was not much more than a big village back then. The largest and strongest of the Greek city-states, Didymos was two border islands that buffered the rest of Greece from Atlantis. And Styxx was the greatest, most successful general in their long and prestigious military history. His battle tactics and the way he ran his army were studied extensively by the soldiers of my time. We all wanted to grow up and be him. In fact, the way he trained, and the principles his mentor taught him were the foundation of the Spartans and their military ethics. That's how good he was. But in all my readings about Didymos and Styxx, I never saw more than one prince mentioned.... Him. And nothing of a princess in anything, not that that was unusual." He held his hand up to Danger to stop her before she spoke. "And don't lecture me on ancient stupidity and their treatment of women.... I am not personally responsible for misogynistic ancient writers just because I happen to be male."

He looked back at Alexion and resumed their discussion. "Because of that, and the fact that he and Ash were babies when they died, I never made the connection that Acheron's brother Styxx was the leader of the famed Stygian League."

Alexion snorted. "That explains his arrogance."

"But he's not arrogant," Urian and Danger said simultaneously.

"Yeah," Urian said, grabbing a slice of bacon, "what she said."

She put more bacon on a plate for Urian. "He's sweet, Alexion. Really sweet."

Swallowing his bacon, Urian snorted. "I would not use that word myself for him. He's lethal and you can't miss it, but I'll be honest. I'd call Ash arrogant before I would Styxx."

Alexion sucked his breath in sharply. "Don't let Acheron hear you say that."

"I know. Believe me." Urian sighed heavily. "Man, I don't know what happened between them, but it's a damn shame. Can you imagine having Styxx of Didymos train you to fight?"

"Be like taking lessons from Achilles or Alexander the Great."

"That settles it then," Danger said as she put the uncooked bacon back in the refrigerator.

"What?" Urian asked.

"We've got to reconcile them."

Alexion burst out laughing. "That is a pipe dream, honey. I've known Acheron for over nine thousand years. And it will be freezing on the equator before Acheron forgives Styxx for what he did."

She shrugged. "Well, you know what they say-"

Urian passed a knowing stare to Alexion. "We who are about to die, salute you?"

She rolled her eyes. "No. Over, under, around, or through, there's always a way."

Urian scoffed at her optimism. "Unless the rock falls on you while you're trying to go under it. Then you're toast."

Alexion laughed. "Well, she is French."

November 2, 2008

Styxx lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling. One of the neatest parts about Agriosa's temple was the way moonlight reflected in through the windows to cast shadows around the room. Or maybe he was so bored as to see images where there weren't any.

The one on the ceiling right now reminded him of his phoenix emblem.

Yeah, he was definitely imagining things.

Sighing, he reached over to the table and pulled the bath salts to him. He took a small amount and rubbed them across his face so that he could smell Bethany's scent and pretend for one moment that she was by his side. In his mind, he could see her in her white dance outfit as she twirled and danced for him with her veils.

She'd tried to tie one to his wrist once, and he'd panicked so badly that it had scared her. But if he could have that one afternoon back, he'd gladly let her chain him to her bed.

His breathing ragged, he was so hard and aching-so damn horny, he couldn't stand it. He pressed his hand to his swollen cock, wishing he could go back in time and change things.

He should have thrown her over his shoulder and run away with her like a caveman on the first day they met.

"I need you, Beth," he whispered. She had always been the better part of him.

No, the best part.

Holding on to an image of her, he slowly thrust himself against his hand. But as he tried to find release, other memories surged to replace the tender ones of Bethany.

Fucking Greek whore!

Piece of Ariclean shit!

Tell me how much of a hero do you feel like now that you're facedown with my cock in your ass, huh, prince?

Styxx bellowed in agony as he shot from the bed. Why couldn't the voices of the past leave him alone? Why?

Unable to stand it, he ran to the pool and threw himself into it, hoping to drown out the voices that haunted him. As fast and furious as he could, he swam laps until his body was exhausted. Only when he was on the verge of collapse did he find any kind of peace.

His arms trembling from overuse, he pulled himself out of the water and lay on the frigid marble floor. Breathing heavily, he looked up at the ceiling where he saw the image of an Atlantean soldier in armor standing next to a woman who held his hoplon. She had her hand on his arm as they gazed silently at each other.

As he stared at it, he remembered the story of Bathymaas and Aricles that he'd been told in Atlantis. Perhaps that was the curse of his family. Their entire house had been founded on pain. On a woman's broken heart.

Now that he thought about it, none of his paternal relatives had ever had a happy marriage. After birthing his father, uncle, and aunt, his grandmother had taken her daughter and returned to her native Athens to never set foot again in Didymos, or see her husband.

He didn't even want to contemplate the misery of his parents' marriage. The death of his father's first wife while in the middle of labor ...

It made him wonder why his ancestor had assumed his brother's name for their royal house. Surely he'd known the curse that name carried.

The House of Aricles had been founded on tragedy and they'd ended in tragedy. Condemned by the gods from beginning to end. But at least Bathymaas's father had been kind. He'd taken her memories and had allowed her to live without the knowledge of her loss.

Turning his head, Styxx stared at the scar on his right hand where the Thracian had speared it to the ground. He could still see the insane, inhuman hatred in the man's eyes. "For all the lives you've taken..."

Maybe Galen had been right when he talked about the death of his son, Philip. Styxx didn't deserve to be happy after all the men he'd killed in battle. He'd deprived them of their futures and families.

Just as he'd deprived Acheron of his place as firstborn.

Perhaps this was justice, after all.

November 2, 2008

Artemis gasped as Apollo appeared in her temple on Olympus. "What are you doing here?"

"What do you think?"

She had no idea. Other than he was an ass and she was tired of dealing with him. "I've already fed you." Her neck still throbbed from his vicious bite. "You should be sated for a while."

He gave her a peeved glare. "Not what I'm here for. What is the disturbance I'm feeling from Atlantis?"

Oh, that ...

"I have it under control. There was a group of archaeologists who uncovered a few items. But I've had them arrested and my Atlantikoinonia are on it to make sure they find nothing else."

Apollo arched a brow. "And what did they find?"

Artemis sighed as she stood up from her chaise. "Eleven thousand years later and your human whore is still causing grief for us. It's one of those stupid journals she kept."

Apollo cursed. "Which one?"

"One that details a few secrets about you and me that neither of us wants exposed." She rubbed at her bruised neck to illustrate her point. The other held the true identity of their mother and origins.

Anger flared in his eyes, flashing them to red. "And where is your pet?"

"Acheron? He's off pouting ... and seeking the journal himself. He doesn't want his secrets exposed any more than we do."

"Where's his human half? And don't tell me Styxx is dead. I'm still furious with you for having hidden the prince from me for so long."

Artemis shrugged nonchalantly. "He's on Katateros, and I don't think you want to go there to get him, brother." Acheron hated Apollo as much as she did. If her brother dared to step one foot in Acheron's home, he'd tear him apart.

Rage darkened his eyes. "The prince is my property and I want him returned."

She growled at her brother. "You need to lay on him before it's too late."

Apollo snorted. "I'm trying to lay on him, precious sister. That's why I need him back."

It took her a second to realize she'd screwed down the colloquial phrase. "Lay off him. You've been extremely lucky Styxx has yet to remember who he was and what you did to him originally. I don't understand why you can't just walk away. Why you didn't walk away the first time."

Apollo shrugged. "Thanks to you and Apollymi messing with his memories and life, I don't have to worry about that. He'll never know how to defeat me. But need I remind you that we're approaching another perilous time when certain doorways will open and unleash things none of us want to deal with?"

"Which is why I'm getting that damn book back. Have no fear. I have it over control."

"Under control, Artemis. And see to it that you do." He snatched her against him and held her arm in a bruising grip. "Remember, sister, if you think I've been cruel to you, you've seen nothing yet. Get me that journal!" Then he was gone.

Artemis grimaced at the purple handprint he'd left on her arm. "I hate you!" she snarled. Most of all, she hated having to protect him.

But she had no choice. If he died, she died, too.

She rubbed at her arm and sighed. There were two places on Earth where no one ever needed to venture. The Aegean and the Sahara. Both locations held the keys that could not only destroy her and her twin, but the entire world.

And she would do whatever she had to to protect them all.

November 3, 2008

Drawing a picture in the sand, Styxx paused as he felt something strange ... like he was being watched. He narrowed his gaze, and searched for the source of it, but saw nothing. Even so, the skin on the back of his neck crawled.

For a minute, he thought it might be Urian or Danger, but they would have called out a greeting.

As he reached for his knife, something slammed into him and knocked him sprawling. Pain exploded through his entire body.

He'd barely recovered before he was bashed again and again. Claws dug into his flesh and shredded him. Gasping, he couldn't move as his back was torn open. The pain and rapid blood loss made him light-headed and dizzy.

Finally, his attacker sank its claws into his hair and jerked his head up from the ground. "You tried to kill my akri!"

Styxx could barely make out Simi in her demonic form with that red and white swirling skin. Her eyes blazed with fury.

"No," he breathed.

She shrieked at him. "The Simi was there. She saw you stab him in the heart!"

Simi was the dragon Charonte he'd seen that had come off Acheron to protect him.

"No one attacks my akri and lives! No one!" She sank her fangs into his throat and ripped it open.

Styxx watched as his blood ran over his shoulder and down his arm, onto the sand. Too weak to move, he had no choice but to lie there and let death take him.

If only the putrid bastard would keep him for once.

November 4, 2008

Styxx stared down at the healing wounds that still stung like crazy. Simi had literally shredded his entire body. But then that was her job.

Protect Acheron.

I can't stay here. Once his brother's demon daughter learned he was alive again, she'd be back. And he wasn't Prometheus to have his liver ripped out every day and devoured. He'd been there, done that, and had no interest in the T-shirt.

The whole reason he'd wanted to come here was to get to know his brother and finally build a relationship with him. While Styxx was a slow learner, even he had to admit that their relationship was a lost cause at this point. Acheron had no interest in him at all.

Time to bury it and move on.

Resigned to the inevitable, Styxx headed for the main temple. But what he hadn't counted on were the horrific memories that tore into him once he entered it. They were so potent, he was shaking.

Or maybe that was the pain from his injuries.

Either way, he winced as he saw an image in his mind of his being dragged, while bound in chains, across Apollymi's seal. Even now, he heard Archon's angry growls echoing through this temple as Styxx fought to free himself from the gods who'd laughed and mocked his "pathetic" human efforts.

"Styxx?"

He turned to see Danger entering the foyer from a side door he knew led to Archon's private bedroom.

"What are you doing here?" she whispered.

"I wanted to speak to Acheron."

"He's not home."

"Do you know when he'll be back?"

"No." She sighed. "Sorry. But if you want, you can wait for his return in the throne room."

The good news was that Simi should be with Acheron. He was safe for a little while.

"Thanks." Styxx headed to the room before she had a chance to tell him where to go. There was no way he'd ever forget the layout of this temple. Every corner was seared violently into his memory.

Closing the doors behind him, he shook his head at the sight of Acheron's black throne. Finally, his brother had one. If only Acheron knew the reality of what being the heir to Didymos was really like. But then most princes didn't have Xerxes for their father. Maybe those princes did have a great, pampered life....

"Who the fuck let him out?" Acheron's angry voice outside the door interrupted his thoughts.

Missed you, too, brother.

Urian's tone was filled with mischievous humor. "The girl ghost who wants the two of you to kiss and make up."

"I'd rather be hit in the head with the tack hammer Tory threw at me."

"Tory?" Urian asked.

"Long story." Acheron let out a tired sigh. "Thanks for the warning. I'll go deal with him."

Deal with me ... yeah. The coward had never dealt with him. He just tossed Styxx into his next prison and put him out of his thoughts.

The doors flew open in a staunch show of power much like Archon used to do when he reigned here. Dressed in an Atlantean formesta that bore Acheron's sun symbol and a pair of black leather pants, his brother walked toward him like a predator. As if such a move would ever intimidate a man who'd been forced to fight every day for his life.

And as Acheron approached, Styxx heard the voice that was tormenting Acheron at the sight of him.

Estes's.

How dare you make me want you like you do. I hate you for what you do to me, you disgusting whore. I. Hate. You.

Yeah, Estes had fucked them both in so many ways.

"I'm really not in the mood to deal with you, Styxx. What little patience I have was eaten alive about two minutes ago."

That explained some of the throbbing pain Styxx had. It worsened as Acheron neared. So, everything he felt wasn't all from Simi's attack. Figured.

Styxx forced himself to be submissive even though it went completely against his nature. "I know. I can sense your moods ... it was a gift," he said sarcastically since Acheron couldn't remember the fact that he'd been the one who gave it to Styxx when their life forces were joined together by Acheron's mother, "from Artemis when she threw me into Tartarus. I'm only here to ask you one favor."

Acheron sneered at him. "You would dare ask another favor of me?"

When the hell had he ever asked Acheron for a first one?

Oh yeah ... that's right. He remembered now.

Please, brother, please, send me to Katateros and let me starve alone in the temple where the gods passed me around like a bitch and beat me. That was the favor Acheron spoke of. And how magnificent was his brother's benevolence....

Don't open your stupid mouth.

A fight wouldn't get him out of here. Acheron was just like dealing with Apollo. Cater to the bastard's arrogant ego and he was pliable. "I ask as your brother and as a supplicant to a god."

There it was. That smug glower in those swirling silver eyes he knew so well from the others of Acheron's ilk. The ancient gods enjoyed their power and they lived to hold it over all humans. "As a supplicant, what sacrifice do you offer for this favor?"

Styxx had to force himself to stand perfectly still and not react to his brother's obvious baiting. At least he wasn't naked in a room full of Didymosian citizens with his father glaring while Ryssa laughed at his degradation.

I have nothing, thanks to you and your whore mother.

He could only think of one last commodity that he'd never need again. "My heart."

Acheron scowled. "I don't understand."

Of course he didn't. He didn't have one himself so how could he comprehend what Styxx meant?

Disgusted, he explained it. "I offered you my loyalty and it wasn't enough. So in this, I offer my heart to you. If I lie or betray you, you can rip it out over and over again. Chain me next to Prometheus on his rock." And hopefully when you rip it out, mine won't grow back.

That seemed to finally appease the bastard. "And what favor do you ask?"

"Let me go." Styxx had to pause to steady his voice and remove the pain and anger he held from it. "I can't live here anymore, isolated from people. I just want to have some kind of peace that neither of us ever had a chance to experience."

It took Acheron forever before he finally answered. "Fine. You'll have everything you need to start over."

Before Styxx could finish expelling a relieved breath, he was sucked out of the throne room and slammed facedown into the center of an apartment.

Loud sirens screamed above a dull roar. Styxx pushed himself up. The walls and ceiling were a stark white, as were the floor-to-ceiling curtains. A small black leather sofa was set against the wall with two matching armchairs facing it. A large, rectangular ottoman rested between them and under it all was a massive zebra-skin rug. Between the two armchairs was a granite fireplace, and a giant TV hung above it.

Where am I now?

Styxx was almost afraid of finding out as he crossed the room. He pushed the curtains aside to discover a large sliding glass door that looked out over some kind of park. None of it told him anything about his location. Not that it really mattered. The only time he'd been in the human world in the last eleven thousand years was the few weeks he'd spent in New Orleans over four years ago.

Opening the doors, he walked out to discover a huge rooftop patio that was even bigger than the apartment. Huge shrubs were in granite planters so that they provided privacy to the area. A travertine table was set in the center of it, along with six iron chairs.

Wow, someone seriously overestimated his social skills to assume he'd ever have six people sitting at a table at the same time.

He returned inside to search for a clue about his new home. Finally, in a kitchen drawer, he found an envelope with the address. 444 Central Park West. New York, New York.

That meant nothing to him. For that matter, he had no idea where Old York was, never mind the new one. But it was written in English. Still not that helpful.

As he searched for more clues, he found a driver's license with his name listed as Styxx Didymos, and his apartment information on it. A couple of credit cards, a bankbook, and other things he wasn't sure about. One of them was a small burgundy red booklet that had his picture inside. What was a passport? Why would he need it? Certificate of Naturalization? None of it made sense to him.

"Thanks, Acheron."

Once again, his brother had dumped him somewhere with no instructions or guidelines. Not even Dionysus had been this cruel.

Styxx took a deep breath and slid the drawer shut. Fine. He'd figured out how to lead an army into war as a child-he could certainly figure this out, too.

But honestly, it was worse here than finding himself alone on the islands. At least those had made sense to him. He'd known how to live there. How to function.

Here ... not so much.

He laughed bitterly. Leave it to his brother to find a place where he was surrounded by people and still totally isolated.

November 20, 2008

Sitting at his bedroom desk, Styxx was busy on his PC playing the "New Atlantis" campaign for Age of Mythology. Yeah, it was weird to him, too, but strangely he found it almost comforting.

He was seriously gaining ground when he felt a strong presence behind him. Assuming it was Apollo, he jumped up, ready to fight.

It wasn't Apollo.

Urian stood there, looking sheepish. That alone made his trepidation worsen. There was only one reason he could think of for Urian to look like that....

"What does he think I've done now?"

Urian scowled. "Huh?"

"Acheron. Is he not the one who sent you for me?"

Urian shook his head. "He actually didn't send me. I came to ask a favor."

That shocked him completely. While he and Urian had kept in touch since Styxx had been put here, Urian wasn't the type of man to ask for a favor. "What do you need?"

"Acheron's woman, Tory, has been kidnapped and taken into Kalosis where his mother is. Ash is ready and willing to go get her." Which would free his mother from her prison and end the world.

Styxx stood completely stoic at the news. I don't have a dog in this fight. What do I care?

At least that was what he tried to tell himself. But it was obvious that Urian cared and didn't want to see his sister-in-law or his niece and nephews harmed.

Hesitating, Styxx knew better than to help his brother. Every time he'd ever tried had cost him dearly.

"Is Tory immortal?" he asked Urian.