Gah, it’d be so helpful if the others were here. They, especially Acheron, might have a clue as to how to help Styxx.
“Styxx? Do you know me?”
He didn’t speak. Rather, he lunged at Nick with a sword.
Nick jumped back and let out another exasperated sigh. How could he cure someone of a spell he hadn’t created and one he had no idea about?
I hate you, Cyprian.
“What are you doing here?”
Nick gasped as he heard that familiar voice.
Like Beetlejuice, he must have said his name one time too many. Because here he was.
Full Malachai.
Nick bowed up and glared at him. “I’ve come to free Styxx.”
“Can’t have you doing that.” Cyprian extended his sword.
The one that was identical to Nick’s.
How could that be?
“You have my sword?”
Cyprian smiled, exposing his fangs. “Took it off your rotting corpse after I gutted you.”
Of course he did.
But that reminded Nick of something. He wasn’t growing weak. Weird. In the past, Cyprian had weakened his powers, and obviously, he’d weakened him when they fought and Cyprian defeated him.
Right now …
Bupkis. He was as strong as ever.
And that made him cocky. Nick motioned with one hand. “C’mon, punk. Let’s dance.”
Arachne pulled back.
Cyprian advanced on him with a vengeance. Nick parried his thrust and drove him back. “How did you beat me?”
“Because you’re weak! Pathetic!”
Nick would give him that. He wasn’t what he’d hoped to be. Still …
“I’m not the one hiding behind my mother’s apron. Can you do anything yourself?”
That set fire to Cyprian, who began raining furious blows on Nick. He swung the sword, then blasted him.
Nick absorbed the blast. He let the pain feed his strength. Along with the unfettered anger. Now he understood his father. There was nothing like inhaling that sweet fury. It surged his powers so much that it made him dizzy.
It was heady and intoxicating.
Nick smiled at his son. “Blast me again.”
That caught Cyprian off guard. “Pardon?”
