Set laughed, low and evil, and made no moves to touch it. “The Eye of Verlyn. That will deplete the powers of any god it comes into direct contact with.”
Which was why every god in the room was currently taking a step back from it.
Styxx looked at it with a new respect. “For how long?”
Urian grinned. “As soon as it touches them, they’re wiped. Then it depends on how long it’s on their body and how strong they are. Too long, it’ll kill them.”
Styxx smiled and inclined his head to them. “Does it work on just full-bloods or any other species?”
Set shrugged. “I don’t know.”
Before anyone could react, Simi grabbed her sister and put her hand on it.
“Hey!” Xirena snapped at her sister.
“You still gots power, Sissy?”
Xirena shot a blast of fire at her.
Grinning and ducking, Simi looked at Styxx and let go of Xirena. “It don’t work on us.”
Urian laughed. “I helped him carry it over, so … I’m only a quarter demigod, and it doesn’t seem to affect me.”
“I think I’m the only true demi then.” Seth bravely took it into his hand and waited. After a couple of minutes, he shook his head. “No effect on me, either.”
“Since my powers are borrowed from Apollymi, I’m not chancing it. We’ll assume I need to stay clear of it. Urian, we’ll leave it in your custody.” Styxx hesitated as another thought occurred to him. “Can the stone be broken apart or duplicated?”
Set shook his head. “Not without destroying it.”
Styxx scowled at Acheron, who was an unknown in all of this. “Would the stone just suck out your god powers and leave the rest intact?”
“That’s what usually happens. Why? You thinking of giving me an early Christmas present?”
Urian laughed involuntarily.
“Don’t distract or tempt me.” Styxx ran over the rest of their arsenal and the layout of Acheron’s temple. They’d definitely use Seth’s powers to get a peek at what they were going into.
But first …
“My most important question of all … Where’s my Bethany?”
Urian and Davynwere behind the demons, Kat, and Styxx as they headed first toward Bethany. The plan was to get her first and then deal with the others.
As Styxx reached for the doorknob, Katra placed her hand on his arm. “I know this is the first time we’ve met, Styxx, but I’d rather you not go in there alone. Someone should be with you.”
“How are you Artemis’s daughter?”
Kat smiled. “She’s not as bad as you think.… Apollo, however, is probably worse.”
Simi stood on his other side and leaned in to whisper in his ear. “We’ll be super quiet. Akri-Styxx won’t even know we’re there.”
Urian put his hand on Styxx’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. What happens happens, and we won’t think anything about it. We’ll just be here for you if you need us.”
Tears welled in his eyes and the emotions there said that he wasn’t used to anyone standing with him. Urian knew that feeling, all too well. It was what he missed most about his brothers and why he treasured Styxx the way he did.
“Thank you.”
Urian tightened his grip before he let go.
