“Please,” Daris begged, his voice barely a whisper. “Please help us. Please.”
“Give her to me,” the god said, bending down.
Daris gasped, startled when he saw the giant god pull Terena from his arms. He resisted but Rydon put a hand on his shoulder. “It’s Melanos!”
When Melanos stood, Daris rose as well, only to be pushed roughly from behind.
“Where the fuck were you?!” Croak screamed at him. Daris turned, his eyes bleak. “You fucking let it?—”
“Peace, Croak!” Jason yelled, pushingCroak back.
Gabriol snarled and grabbed Jason’s cloak. Rydon sprang forward and Michael intercepted.
“Enough!” Melanos bellowed as he turned, Terena’s limp body in his powerful arms.
Daris raked a hand through his hair and surged toward the god. “What can we do?”
The god ignored him as he walked toward a sitting area much the same as the night they’d first met him. Rydon yanked his arm out of Michael’s grip and strode after him, Daris close to his side.
Melanos set Terena on the largest couch—almost a bed, by the size of it—then lifted Terena’s arm.
“Well, shit,” the god said, scowling down at Terena’s ashen face. “This wasn’t what I meant, but,” he shook his head, “I get why you keep failing. Came all this way just to die on me? Not now, goddess.”
“Please,” Croak was moaning, “Don’t let her die.”
Rydon’s chest tightened.
Daris moved to the side of the couch where Terena’s head rested and stroked her hair with a shaking hand.
“Move back,” Melanos said, his voice harsh as he motioned with his free hand. “I need room!”
Croak and Rydon moved back a few steps but Daris stayed where he was, glaring at the god.
“What are?—”
“I’m going to remove the fangs.”
Melanos frowned down at the them, his hand hovering. He grasped a fang and yanked.
Terena bolted upright, screaming.
Daris sprang forward, grabbing her shoulders. Croak fell over and Rydon cursed, barely grabbing him before he hit the ground.
“Ready this time?” Melanos asked Daris sarcastically. When the commander nodded, his hands firmly pressed to Terena’s shoulders as she thrashed and cried, Melanos grabbed the other fang and pulled it out. This time, Terena gasped and passed out.
“Eudaemon,” Melanos said. He looked up and his gaze landed on Daris. Rydon stepped into his line of sight.
“Aye, I’m here.”
Melanos narrowed his eyes at Daris and scowled. Daris scowled back, his stare menacing. Rydon caught the look of confusion on the god’s face before he looked up at Rydon.
“What can I do?” Rydon prompted, edging closer to Terena’s side.
“Switch places with this man,” said Melanos. He flicked another glance at Daris.
Daris protested but Melanos glared at him until he stepped back enough for Rydon to sit on the couch near Terena’s head. He scooted closer, lifting her head onto his lap, and looked up at Melanos.
The god looked over at Daris again and ran his hand down over his mouth. He dropped his eyes and pulled one of the short swords at Terena’s hip. He flipped it over and extended the hilt to Rydon. Rydon looked at Melanos, uncertain.
