Caleb cleared his throat to keep them on topic. “And we still don’t know for a fact that it was Cyprian who got his hands on the swords, folks,” he reminded them. “Focus, escapees from ADD Academy.”
Shadow jerked his chin at Nick. “His theory’s the most sound. Bad as I hate to admit it. It explains how they could have found them.”
“Which means those swords could now be in the hands of Noir and Azura. And if they are …”
Kody’s words put a chill down the spine of them all. Noir and Azura were two of the gods of the original source of all evil. If those swords were in their hands …
It was a bad day for humanity. As the Source, they would have the ability to create new warriors for them. Warriors so powerful that no one could stand against them.
“We have to get those swords back.”
Caleb laughed.
Until he realized she was serious. “Child, my entire army couldn’t take down the Sephirii and believe me, we tried. All the Malachai together, couldn’t defeat them.Theytried. It was basically one bloody standoff every time we went to war against them. Which begs the question of who the hell was so stupid as to tellyou, Shadow, to keep them?” He turned to glare at the man.
“And I repeat … someone I trusted. Short list, that.”
“You’re an idiot.”
“No arguments there. I used to hang out with you. Even worse, I followed you into battle, which says it all about my intellect and great mental abilities.”
Nick stepped back out of Caleb’s way. Given the expression on his face, he wasn’t about to get between them in the event the demon started swinging. He knew that look and it never boded well for the person or demon receiving it.
“Before you two go World War III, can I ask something?” Now they were both givinghimthat glower. “What happened to the demons and swords that attacked you? Did you kill them all?”
“No. We barely beat them off. They were more intent on weakening us.”
“Why?”
Caleb shrugged. “They’re demons. They don’t have to make sense.”
Nick snorted at something he knew was bull. “Since when?”
“Since you never do.”
He had a point. Still … “Isn’t this sending a flag up anyone’s pole, other than mine?”
“He’s right.” Kody bit her lip. “They came at me and Nick, at the same time they attacked you. It was strategic. Why?”
“Divide and conquer.” Caleb pulled the cloth away from his stomach to check his wound. “With those swords, they could have killed us. Yet they chose not to. You’re right. There was some reason they pulled back.”
A bad feeling went through Nick as he took Kody’s hand. “What’s your weakness?”
“You.”
That single word made his stomach tighten and his heart light. But as sweet as it was, it wasn’t what he needed right then. “Seriously, Kode. What are they trying to do with you?”
“While I’m technically dead, this body is living. It can be killed and I wouldn’t be able to stay here. I’d have to leave you.”
That thought tore him up inside. He couldn’t imagine living without her. She was vital to him in a way he couldn’t even begin to explain. Like breathing, only more important.
“What’s the new Malachai’s goal?” Nick whispered. Cyprian couldn’t kill him without ending his own future. If Nick died now, he wouldn’t be around to father him tomorrow. Kody was a different story. She technically didn’t live in this time period, so she wasn’t critical to Cyprian’s future.
And while he’d seen Caleb in the future, it didn’t mean his destiny couldn’t be altered. His death wouldn’t matter either.
Caleb sighed. “We know Sroasha wants you dead.”
Nick nodded, well aware of that fact. “But what about Cyprian? What does he want here?”
