“What did you do?”
“He wanted to go after Phoebe.”
Ash hadn’t been cussed out that effectively or colorfully in ancient Greek in a number of centuries. It was impressive.
Styxx finally stopped long enough to issue one fierce command. “Open the portal to Kalosis!”
“The one I control will take you straight to Stryker.”
“I don’t give a shit where it goes. Get me down there so I can find my child. Now!”
Bethany appeared instantly. “What’s going on?”
Styxx gestured at Ash. “He let our child loose in Kalosis to go after his gallu-infected wife.”
And now Ash was being cussed in ancient Egyptian and Atlantean. Which brought Tory out of the main room, into the hall where they were gathered.
“What in the world is going on? Is that Egyptian?”
Ash gestured at them. “I pissed off my family again … and yes, First Dynasty.”
Bethany’s eyes flared to red. “Tory? Can you please watch Ari for a bit? I have to go find my oldest and drag him home before he does something stupid.”
“Sure.”
“Open the portal, Acheron,” Styxx repeated.
“Stryker—”
“Won’t stand inmyway.” Bethany immediately pulled her hair back into a ponytail.
While Ash would argue with his brother, he was going to cede that point to Bethany. Given the fury in her eyes and tone, he had no doubt that Stryker would get his ass kicked effectively. “All right, then.” He opened the portal. “Urian has friends with him. Please try not to skewer Simi.”
That seemed to calm Styxx a little. “Thank you for sending her with him.”
“You really think I wouldn’t?”
“I didn’t think you’d sendhim!”
“Stop arguing!” Bethany snapped. “Get to my baby!” She pushed Styxx toward the portal. “I’m going to beat both of you later.”
As soon as Ash closed the portal, he turned to see Tory’s perturbed grimace. “What did I do to piss you off?”
Smiling, she pulled him into her arms. “Nothing. You look like you could use a hug.”
Finally, someone who wasn’t mad at him. “I really didn’t mean to put him in harm’s way.”
“I know, sexy baby. It’s all good.”
Stryker was usedto unexpected visitors dropping through their portal. Over the centuries, they’d had quite a few interesting creatures.
Dark-Hunters. Were-Hunters.
A couple of gods. Demons. Forest creatures. A large number of trelos.
Stupid humans by the dozens, especially in the nineties during the height of the vampire craze. He couldn’t count how many Goth counterculture members had dropped in, taken one look at them, and said, “Bite me!” and not in a bad way. They’d wanted to join them.
They’d always provided a quick and easy snack for his Spathi warriors.
