I’m happy.”
“Hope that’s comforting while you’re rotting in hell,” Ephraim grumbled, shaking his head in dismay.
Snod wanted to snap back and say something foul, but he took a deep breath to stop himself. Calmly,
he replied, “Ephraim, I really hope that someday you know what it’s like to love someone. Then
you’ll understand that the only real hell is being without them.”
Ephraim had nothing to say to that, returning his attention to the road. They didn’t say another word to
each other until they arrived at Athaliah’s apartment building when Snod briefly instructed him where
to park. He quickly led Ephraim upstairs to Athaliah’s door, banging loudly.
Athaliah answered immediately, his face raw from crying, gasping when he saw him.
“I’m okay—” Snod began, cut off with a grunt when Athaliah tackled him into an oxygen-depriving
embrace.
“I was so fucking scared!” Athaliah wailed, burying his face against his chest. “I just knew that fucker
Ephraim had taken you and Frankie! Damn him! I didn’t know what to do!”
Snod held him close, glancing over his shoulder and finding Lorenzo and Rees perched anxiously on
the sofa.
“I swear, I’ll fucking kill him,” Athaliah was ranting, pulling away to wipe at his face. “I’ll rip off his
balls, and...” He froze, howling furiously when he saw Ephraim standing in the hall, “You!”
Snod managed to catch Athaliah as he lunged, hugging his middle tightly and dragging him into the
apartment. “He’s here to help! It’s all right!”
“You son of a bitch! You’re fuckin’ dead!” Athaliah screeched, kicking and trying to wiggle free.
Rolling his eyes, Ephraim followed them in and shut the door.
Rees was on his feet, his little body shaking with rage as he cursed, “This is the motherfucking piece
of turtle feces that burned down my fucking bar?” He took off his earrings and kicked off his shoes.
“Oh, bitch! You’re a fucking dead man!”
Lorenzo yelped, grabbing Rees’ arm and trying to keep him away from Ephraim. “Rees! Don’t! Come
on! Big scary hunter man, bad idea!”
“Let me at ‘em!” Rees snarled, slapping Lorenzo’s hands. He started coughing, wheezing angrily, “I’m
going to claw his fucking eyes out!”
Ephraim did not look impressed by their threats. He crossed his arms, tapping his foot impatiently.
“Please!” Snod groaned, carrying Athaliah to the sofa and forcing him to sit down. “Terrell took
