Brandor tensed, watching them for any hint of a coming attack. “I know you don’t trust me. You’ve no reason to.”
Brogan finally stepped away from him. She cast a sheepish glance toward Blaise. “I told you it could have been much worse. My brother’s life makes a mockery of mine and my sisters’ combined. To protect me from their fate, Bran gave up the bulk of his powers at puberty—transferred them to me so that I’d be stronger and have more value.”
Sadness darkened Brandor’s eyes. “I’ve been trying to help Ro for a long time.”
“So what news do you have to share?” Medea asked.
“Apollo’s after the goddess Apollymi and intends to use her army of Charonte to kill Acheron and take over the world and Olympus.”
Urian scowled. That was all well and good, except for one thing. “And the Daimons protecting Apollymi?”
“Apollo has sent a plague to kill them and the gallu to punish them for their rebellion against him.”
He looked over at his sister. Well, that explained the foreign illness that was tearing through their ranks. No wonder they couldn’t fight it off.
Falcyn scratched at his chin. “Why do they want my dragonstone?”
“It’s the only thing that can stop them.”
“Yeah, well, they can rot.” Falcyn shook his head. “I’m not about to help any of them.”
Brandor gave him an arch stare. “Not even to save your own sister?”
Urian’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of Xyn.
That cold steel hatred returned to Falcyn’s eyes. “Don’t go there.”
Brandor glanced to Brogan. “I would never taunt anyone with such a cruelty. Family should never be used as a bartering tool. But it’s what they will hold over you and use against you if you don’t do what they want. It’s why I told Ro to bring you here. I know where Sarraxyn is, and I will take you to her before they hurt her to get to you.”
At the confirmation that he’d been too afraid to ask, Urian felt his knees go weak.
Xyn was alive.
For a moment he couldn’t breathe. Those words slammed into him like a physical blow and left him reeling. Dear gods, was it true?
Even now, he could see her beautiful face. So much so that he barely registered their words.
“For what price?” Falcyn asked.
He took his sister’s hand. “You’ve already paid it. You freed my sister from her realm and brought her to me so that I can protect her from her master. I’ll help you free yours from hers. It’s the least I can do.”
Blaise shook his head. “Bullshit. I don’t believe you.”
Brogan’s cheeks brightened with color. “You can trust him, Blaise. He’s a good man.”
“I don’t trust anyone.”
Urian sighed as he cast his gaze around each of them. “Yeah, I don’t think anyone in this group can judge another for their past deeds.” And he damn sure wasn’t about to let them not give this bastard a shot if he really did have a way to free Xyn.
If there was any chance to see her again …
He wanted it.
“This is all well and good, but let’s not lose sight of the fact that Urian and I aren’t here on a vacation. I need your dragonstone, Falcyn. There’s still the matter of the plague that’s spreading through my people. I can’t watch my parents and best friend die. I’ve had enough of death and I don’t want any more of it.”
Brandor scowled at her. “You’re the daughter of Stryker?”
“How do you know that?”
