Theo nodded. “So I did it for him. I killed the human and took the soul, then shared it with Archie.”
Urian flinched. “So what does this mean?” He frowned at Archie. “You’re having to live as an Anaimikos?” They were Daimons who fed from other Daimons in order to remain alive—like a baby bird feeding from its mother.
Sheepishly, Archie nodded.
However, that image quickly turned into something much more graphic and horrifying as Urian thought about how Theo would have to “feed” Archie. Surely this wasn’t as sexual as when Apollites fed …
Was it?
His eyes widened.
They immediately protested as they caught on to where his mind had drifted.
“Oh dear gods!” Archie snapped. “It’s not likethat!” He shuddered violently. “I’d ratherdie!”
“Why would you think something that disgusting?” Theo started to slap Urian’s arm, then glanced at the guards and lions before reconsidering. “It’s not the same as a feeding! Besides, if I were going to sleep with a man, I’d pick someone a lot better-looking than that oaf! Uh! He’s revolting! I’d at least go after Davyn.”
Urian scoffed. “Well, how would I know how you share a soul? I’m not a Daimon!”
Theo rolled his eyes. “Soul exchanges are completely different.”
“How so?” Urian had always been curious how it worked. It was the one thing no one would ever go into. Rather the best-kept secret of their people.
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you. It’s something you have to be shown when you’re ready.”
Urian moved closer to Theo so that he could study him to see what else might be different about his brother. “So what’s it like?”
They both sobered.
“I don’t know how to describe it, really.” Theo didn’t move as Urian fingered his ear. “My powers are heightened now. In ways you can’t imagine.”
Archie made a face. “For one, the souls are loud.”
Theo nodded in agreement. “I now know why the treli go mad. You can hear the human in your head all the time. It’s like the worst sort of nagging wife.”
“Aye.” Archie sighed. “They beg and whine and barter. And you can’t escape the sound. It rattles in your brain.”
“Is there anything you can do to quiet them?”
They shook their heads. “Solren says it’ll get fainter as they weaken and the soul dies. That we have to pay attention as that will tell us when we need to hunt again. So for that reason, we want them to be yelling loud and clear in order to maintain our life.”
That was terrifying. His own inner monologue was loud enough at times. He couldn’t imagine having something inside him trying to outshout it. “And there’s no other way to live?”
They shook their heads.
Archie scowled. “What about your wife’s people? How does it work for them?”
“Their goddess bonded them to fire demons to preserve their lives. I don’t recommend it, either.” Especially given some of Sheba’s more particular vicious mood swings whenever the demon in her acted up.
Archie glanced over to the guards. “So are they Apollites?”
Not anymore. Even their young were different from what Urian was used to. “The Marzanni are a different species … more akin to Daimons. With some differences.”
Theo arched a brow at that. “Such as?”
“They don’t age the way we do, but they’re not immortal. They can still have children, at any point.” Unlike Daimons, who couldn’t have children. Once they ceased to be Apollites, they lost their fertility.
“Can they walk in daylight?”
