Urian couldn’t agree more. With that cast of Gothamesque villains, the gods were definitely mocking them all today. All he needed was Helios in that mix and he’d have the full list of assholes he wanted a piece of.
Styxx went over them so that they’d all know who and what they were fighting, since most of them had never gone up against them before. “Apollo’s not a problem. He’s an effing idiot when it comes to things like this. And he’s a bully with no courage who will back down to someone more powerful.
“He won’t be leading a charge but will stay back until he can land a punch from safety. Unfortunately, Archon isn’t any of that. He’s sharp and deadly. Vindictive as hell. Brutal. But out of the list, Epithymia and Asteros”—he highlighted them—“are the two we have to neutralizeimmediately.Do not underestimate them, especially Epithymia. The bitch-goddess is crazy and meaner than shit. Show her no mercy or hesitation, because she won’t show it to you.”
He swept his gaze around the room’s occupants. “And whatever you do, donotlet that bitch touch you … Demonbrean is even dumber than Apollo, but he’s also the size of an effing house. His skin is armored and he lives to crush things. Treat him like a python and don’t let him get his arms around you. If he does … you’re fucked. Dikastis will hang back to get the lay of the situation and might not fight us at all. He is all about justice and what’s right. If the fight isn’t about honor or truth, he won’t participate in it. The rest are followers. Lethal, but pawns nonetheless. They are servants for Misos in war, and only do what they’re told to do. You take out Archon and they will stand down.… Now what do we know of their demands?”
Savitar let out a bitter growl. “Because I was their Chthonian, Archon contacted me, not knowing my relationship with the Grom. They want Acheron as a sacrifice so that they can use his blood and heart to bring back the rest of their merry little band of asswipes, except for Bethany. Archon blames her for this, as if he wasn’t the one who caused Acheron to be cursed … what were you telling me about his intelligence?”
“Steadfast denial is not the same as intelligence.” Styxx rubbed at his eyebrow as he digested the little gold nugget no one had bothered to tell him about when they’d asked him to pretend to be Acheron. “Just out of curiosity, what was the game plan you had once you sent me in to die and they discovered that my blood and heart couldn’t bring back their dead?”
Savitar shrugged nonchalantly. “Buy us time to gather enough Chthonians to take them down.”
Styxx scowled. “’Cause what? The Chthonians are such known people-pleasers? Um, yeah? When was that last time you fucks worked together? Last time I checked, your official motto was ‘Does Not Play Well with Others. Do Not Mix with General Population or People. Period.’
“ ‘And whatever you do, don’t feed them after midnight or any other time of the day as they would take the hand feeding them and shove it in an uncomfortable place on your body.’ ”
Styxx shook his head. “I’d be tempted to laugh if I weren’t so pissed. Thank the gods none of you were among my military advisors. We’d have had our asses handed to us,” he mumbled under his breath. Then louder, “Are they at full strength?”
Acheron shrugged. “No idea.”
Styxx passed an irritated glare to Urian, who held his hands up in surrender.
I feel you, brother.Urian sent his thoughts to him. Because he truly did. This was exactly why he’d refused to allow them to send Styxx in the way they’d been planning to do. He wasn’t about to stand by and watch his friend get slaughtered for their stupidity.
Styxx let out a tired sigh. “Let’s assume yes … So our numbers are basically even. The weakest link in our group is me.… What are our strengths?”
Simi opened her bag and pulled out her barbecue sauce. “Demons ready to eat, Sir akri-Styxx! Gimme!”
Laughing at Simi’s enthusiasm, Acheron jerked his chin toward his other daughter. “I don’t want Katra in harm’s way, but she’s a siphon.”
Kat passed a peeved glare to her father. “I’m also a trained soldier, Pops.” Kat glanced at her husband, Sin, and warned him with her gaze not to say a word. She turned toward Styxx. “I was my mother’s primary kori, and unlike my seriously overprotective father and husband, she—”
“Put her ass in harm’s way all the damn time, with a blatant disregard for her safety that still pisses me off,” Sin growled.
Kat smiled and cupped his cheek. “Yes, baby, but had she not been so careless, I wouldn’t have you. Now would I?”
He grumbled under his breath.
And Kat was born of the two pantheons they were up against. A definite plus.
Styxx nodded. “What else do we have that they won’t know about?”
Urian indicated him and Davyn. “Daimon and an ex-Daimon.” Though that probably wasn’t much.
Set folded his arms over his chest. “For thousands of years, my son was the High Guardian for Noir in Azmodea.”
Yeah, they definitely weren’t as good as that.
Seth nodded. “I’m used to battling angry gods. I can also get us a bird’s-eye view of anything you need. What I use, they can’t block.”
But they did have one thing the others didn’t … “Thanks to Davyn, we have this.” Urian held up the necklace they’d bartered dearly with his parents for.
However, Set’s eyes widened with recognition. “How did you getthat?”
Urian snorted. “My enemy’s enemy is my best damn friend. Davyn borrowed it from my father, who was more than happy to lend it and wants us to tie it in a bow around Apollo’s neck.”
“What is it?” Styxx asked.
