She kissed his cheek, then cupped Valynda’s. “I’m a sucker for a happy ending.” She glanced over to Papa Legba and then to her husband. “My life hasn’t always been easy, and I’ve had several men I’ve loved. Children I’ve lost. If I could save you two that pain, I would. Sadly, life has a way of kicking us in the throat when we least expect it. It’s why you need my powers.”
“Maman—”
“Shh.” She placed her finger over his lips to silence his words. “You know I think of you as a son. What happened to her before was wrong. I couldn’t stop it then, but I can now. This is my way of making amends.”
That was why he loved her so. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure. Now go. Kick Malachai ass.”
Smiling, he looked at Valynda. “You up to it?”
“Um … not quite sure. I’m a little wobbly on me feet, love.” She gave him a shaky smile. “Are we sure my new powers aren’t projectile vomiting?”
Laughing, he helped her to her feet. “Pretty sure that one’s not on our list of powers.”
“Pretty sure it might be added soon. Am thinking I could take out a whole city block.”
More amused than he wanted to admit, he shook his head. “Fine, let us see about setting this right.” And with that, he took her to the gate that led to the mortal realm. Qeenan better run. He was coming and it was time to finish this.
Nibo had a lot to lose now, and he had no intention of losing anything ever again.
On board theSea Witch, the Dark-Hunter leader, Acheron, sat in Captain Bane’s chair, staring blankly at Thorn. “Are you futtocking kidding me?”
Thorn shook his head. “Why would I?”
“Because you’re an asshole.”
He gave him a droll stare, then rolled his eyes and sighed before turning his attention to the other immortal in the room.
Savitar.
Dressed in a white tunic and loose linen breeches, Savitar was a hard immortal creature to miss. Mostly because his exposed flesh was covered in tattoos and his eyes were an eerie violet shade that wasn’t always purple. Eyes made more vivid by his dark caramel skin and dark hair and goatee.
That would be sinister enough, but when coupled with his lethal smile-at-me-and-I’ll-gut-you-where-you-stand aura, he could easily play the villain role in any Greek tragedy.
Oh wait, he’d already done that.
Several times, and enjoyed it.
Acheron tried not to be amused by his own rambling thoughts. “So, what do you think, Savvy?”
“I think you need to find a new nickname for me before I spank you, Ack-Ack.”
And this was why Acheron had banned the Necrodemian Paden Jack from the room. All they needed was one more sarcastic asshole and Acheron would be forced to throat-punch someone. For that matter, he’d also banned a few others. No need to add those temptations, as none of them would have ridden herd on their tongues and he just wasn’t in the mood for it. He took enough lip from his own Dark-Hunters. He didn’t need to add Thorn’s little group to his migraine.
Out of the whole crew, he’d only tolerated Bane, along with Nibo, Valynda, Cameron, Mara, Kalder, Rosie, Will, Bart, and Belle to join them. They, alone, didn’t test his nerves.
“So, about the plan.” Acheron enunciated each word slowly so that Savitar would follow him.
“I know you meant the plan, Mighty Pain. I just don’t like the name.”
“Would you answer my question?”
Savitar passed a smirk to Thorn. “It’s not as stupid as his last one. The fact that no one is being taken to my island to stay there this time is a plus. I vote for it based on that one fact alone.”
Acheron groaned while Bane laughed at the memory of the crew taking refuge there.
“I vote for anything that keeps us away from any more demons,” Will said. “Had enough of those buggers for a while.”
