“Eros. She came with Eros.”
He shook his head. “This is useless.” He threw his hand out and the book skittered back to the shelf. The flames on his fingers went out. “Simple answer is, I don’t know. Where is she?”
“In Kalosis.”
Xander let out a deep guffaw. Until he realized they weren’t joking. “Wait … you’re asking a Dark-Hunter to descend into Daimon Central to save a trelos Daimon that even Daimons fear? Are you fucking kidding me?”
Urian gestured to Xyn. “We’ve got a dragon.”
“And Idon’thave a head injury. Or a fatal dose of stupidity. Nor am I suicidal.”
“What if I said pretty please?”
“Nice, Daimon. Real nice. You’re an effing comedian. And while that might get you a guest appearance on someone’s late show, it’s not going to get me down your daddy’s bolt-hole.”
“But youwilldo it for me.”
Xander let out a fierce growl at Acheron. “I’m reassessing this favor you think I owe you.”
“Don’t think. I know. And remember that Urian is my nephew. I would be terribly put out if anything happened to him.”
Xander raked a slow hand over his face. “On one condition.”
“That is?” Ash cocked his hip as he waited.
He counted them off on his fingers. “I want Simi, with a fresh bottle of barbecue sauce.”
“I can do that. I’d planned to send her with you anyway to keep a certain goddess from eating your head for breaching her portal.”
“Good.” Xander stepped back, clapped his hands together, and made a sound like a hollow cymbal. It echoed through the room with an ethereal recoil. “Shadow!” The call was low and deep. Not the typical kind of shout.
Oddly enough, particles in the air began to swim about as if caught in a vortex. Light formed a cone.
An instant later Shadow appeared. He glanced around the four of them, then grimaced. “Why? Why is it never Emma Stone? Gal Gadot? Hell, I’d settle for Artemis. Nah … it’s always one of you losers whining for me.” He looked up at the ceiling. “Why, Lord? Why?”
“Stop … we have a favor.”
“Of course you do. Figured you didn’t want a weather report, and I know you didn’t call because you were worried about my health or wanted to play Parcheesi. You’re all a bunch of selfish assholes. So what can I do you for?”
“We need to get into Kalosis.”
He laughed a much higher-pitched sound than Xander’s. “What? You’re serious? Who’s been knocking back Drano shots?” He narrowed his glare on Urian. “Remember what happened the last time I opened a portal for you? Didn’t end well for me. I’m still bleeding through my T-shirts.”
“True. Would it help if I said I appreciate you?”
“Not even a little. I thought you had a sister for this?”
“She’s preoccupied withherbrother.” Urian indicated Xyn.
Shadow growled. “Have I said today how much I hate Hunters?” Urian grinned. “Yeah, but we’re not listening.”
“Hope you all get eaten by Apollymi.” Shadow looked to Acheron. “Except for you. You’re to stay here. ’Cause I don’t want the world to end. It might suck, but not as bad as it would if she and her kin were in charge.”
“No worries. I know the drill.” Ash winked. “Simi? Human form.”
The tattoo on his forearm peeled itself off to manifest before them into Ash’s teen Goth, demon daughter who was wearing an adorable panda onesie. She blinked at all of them, yawned, and then changed into her typical skirt and corset wear, complete with a set of purple and black cyber falls. “Are we having a party, akri?”
“No, Simikee. Sorry. I need you to go with them to visit Apollymi. Do you mind?”
