Urian bit back a snort at Acheron’s sick humor.
Locking gazes, Acheron held his hand up in offering to Styxx. Styxx glanced to the crib and Urian could only imagine the thoughts in his mind. The two of them had been through so much betrayal. Ash was as likely to throw him to his enemies as he was to fight for him.
But this was his friend’s best chance to get Bethany back. Like it or not, he had to trust Acheron. Urian inclined his head to him to let him know it’d be okay. He was here and he wasn’t about to let anything happen on his watch.
With a deep breath for strength, Styxx took Acheron’s hand and let his brother teleport them into the throne room.
Urian went to the door so that he could listen and watch through the crack.
Styxx let go of Acheron and took position at his back. He faced Archon, Apollo, and Epithymia while Acheron faced the rest.
Archon rose to his feet. “Well, isn’t this unexpected.” He smirked at Apollo. “We don’t have to play chase for your pet after all. How kind of them to save us time.” He glared at Styxx. “Which of you is Apostolos?”
“I am,” they said simultaneously.
Urian grinned at something that had to piss off the old god.Choke onthat,old man.
Archon growled low in his throat.
“Their eyes,” Apollo said quickly. “Styxx’s are blue.”
Leave it to the weasel to out them.Gah, he hoped Apollo got his due one day.
Acheron turned to stand beside his brother. When they spoke, it was as one. “Not anymore.”
Archon narrowed his gaze on them. “Then we’ll kill you both.”
“No,” Apollo snarled. “That wasn’t the agreement.”
Epithymia made a sound of supreme disgust. “Stand down, both of you. There’s an easy way to get to the truth.”
Urian didn’t like the sound of that. He moved to open the portal to let the others through.
His heart stopped. The portal wouldn’t open. Closing his eyes, he used all his strength to try to breach the realms.
Seriously? Nothing was happening. How could this be?
Yet nothing. Not even a spark.
What the hell?
Epithymia pulled at the black cord around her neck to show them a small crystal vial. She pulled it over her head and placed it on the arm of Archon’s chair, then manifested a hammer. “This is the heart of Bathymaas. If the real Styxx doesn’t step forward, I’ll destroy her. Forever.”
Urian fought harder to open the portal.Come on!
“So you don’t love her?” She hovered the hammer over the vial. “Really?”
Urian tried even harder.
Nothing! Damn it!
What was going on? How could he be locked down so tightly?
Styxx spoke in Acheron’s voice. “You do that and you lose all leverage over both of us. Her life is the only thing keeping you alive right now.”
A light flashed suddenly.
Urian knew they were expecting him with the others, but that wasn’t him …
