“Hit me again. I dare you.”
Cyprian pulled back. “What’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing. I’m the Malachai.”
A thousand emotions went over Cyprian’s face in a matter of seconds. But the one he settled on was fear. That, too, increased Nick’s powers.
“I killed you!”
“No. My fear did that. You struck while my back was turned. Now, you have what you’ve always craved. Your father’s full attention. Enjoy it … son.”
Cyprian cried out in rage before he attacked again.
Nick tsked at him. “That all you got?”
“Don’t patronize me!”
“I’m your dad. Isn’t that what I’m supposed to do? As my Aunt Mennie used to say,If I’m not doing you wrong, then I’m not doing you right. I’m making you interesting. Because without me, you’re just another snot-nose brat no one wants around.”
“How dare you!”
“What? Speak the truth? Are you too sensitive to hear it?” Nick was fully channeling his own father now. And what scared him most was that he enjoyed the meanness. It tasted sweet on his tongue. “C’mon, show me how worthless you actually are.”
Cyprian renewed the assault, but this time, Nick felt the boy’s energy dipping.
He moved in for the kill.
Cyprian gasped as Nick’s sword plunged through him. Gaping, he staggered back. “You can’t kill me!”
“Apparently I can. I did, if you remember.”
Cyprian shook his head. “I will take everything you have. You’re not going to survive me. I killed once, and I will kill you again!”
Nick lunged forward, intending to end it.
Cyprian vanished.
Cursing, Nick growled in frustration. What kind of sick game was this?
But with no idea how to finish it, he turned back to Styxx, who was growling like a mad dog.
“Arachne?”
She didn’t answer, and he didn’t blame her for leaving. This had nothing to do with her.
Fine. It was his mess. He’d have to clean it up.
If only he knew where to start.
Other than getting a pissed-off demigod out of a labyrinth where he could come across more monsters, get lost, or get killed by his future father-in-law.
“My life really sucks.” And the saddest part—he didn’t see it getting any better.
9
By the time Nick found his way out with a snarling, rabid Styxx, no one was in the garden.
“What the hell, people?” Where had they gone?
