“Much like when he was able to use black magic to redirect Risen Reckoning to impact the environment instead of people,” Kai said.
Ambrose nodded. “The other vital thing this will accomplish once it penetrates his skin and infects his bloodstream is to override the inability of a non-Celestial weapon to take the life of a Celestial being. This will be able to force a kill condition.” He eyed Sylas with a grimace. “Much like he did to you. Let’s say that we’re returning the favor.”
“Using his own shit against him,” Zayn ground out.
“With some wildly ingenious magical fuckery,” Winter said, easing from me, but holding my hand.
“Compliment graciously accepted,” Ambrose told him with a wry smirk. “Don’t downplay your own gift for ‘ingenious magical fuckery’ either.” His gaze swept over us. “Any of you.Impressive feats have been achieved by each of you throughout this unfortunate ordeal.”
“Is that your way of also saying you’re gonna be keeping an eye on our magical fuckery?” Zayn put to him.
Ambrose looked between Sylas and Kai with amusement. “This is clearly your fault.”
“Nice try. I’m not apologizing for word spreading of my remarkable magical feats born from out-of-the-box thinking and deft experimentation,” Kai said.
“Word spreading? Is that what you call your fan club?”
Ketheron chuckled and stroked Ambrose’s hood of his cloak. “The other day, I was at Haven Initiative and one of them was there, and I thought it was you. Nor is that the first time it’s happened, Kai.”
“What about your highly-attuned senses?”
Ketheron shrugged. “I was in a relaxed state, about to see my gorgeous.”
“Sylas, how come you don’t have those fanboys and fangirls?” Zayn teased. “I mean, in my opinion, you’re more charismatic than Kai. He’s a bit…”
“Harsh?” Kai asked, highly amused. “Abrasive? Absolutely I am. It’s served me well.”
“Well, at least there’s a valid reason,” I said. “Sort of.”
Vaxan caught my eye and grinned, a quiet laugh escaping him.
Sylas eyed Kai.
“Careful,” Kai warned, obviously seeing a look in Sylas’ expression he knew too well.
Sylas’ lips quirked. “Why no fan club? Hmm. I suppose it might have something to do with me not requiring the ego stroke. And not being compelled through egomaniacal desperation to go out of my way to make it known to the populace that such a thing would please me. Not feeling the needto make dramatic impromptu pop-up appearances at academies, covens, hell knows where else, and put on a whole show.” He tapped his chin. “Why else? I’m not comfortable with the worship angle. Content to do the work without the promise of reward—noble, you know? Ah, and another thing? I’m not an attention whore.”
“You son of—” Kai started, while on the verge of bursting out laughing.
“Ah, wait. One last thing… I suppose I just don’t need people down on their knees for me. You might say I’m above it.”
“Not down on their knees for you?” Kai questioned. “You really want me to go there? Your son is here. And Ketheron.”
“You go there, we’re going there about our little connection years ago. Your call.”
Kai glared out at him, but still grinning.
Sylas did the same.
And then Winter stepped forward and snapped his fingers between them. “Done. It’s done.”
As they both blinked and dropped it, Winter muttered, “I’m not hearing about your sexual exploits right now. Been there, done that, just a couple of weeks ago.”
Sylas frowned. “You… what? When did I—”
“My necromancer friends?”
Sylas blinked. “Ah, understood. That’s… unfortunate.”
