Nick shook his head as he returned fireballs. “You keep saying that, and yet, somehow, here I am.”
Roaring, Cyprian ran at him.
Nick used his powers to shove him into a wall. “Where are my friends and family?”
“Kill me and they die.”
That took the fight out of Nick. He refused to fight if it meant harm to them.
Cyprian moved to the side of the throne, where a red cloth was pooled on the floor.
A bad feeling went through Nick.
One that was confirmed when Cyprian used his powers to yank the cloth back.
Kaziel lay there, covered in blood.
Tears filled Nick’s eyes as he felt himself go weak. Unable to handle it, he sank to his knees. He wanted to scream no, but no sound would leave his lips.
How could Kaziel be dead?
Even Styxx went still.
No. No. No!
Cyprian blasted him. “How many of them do I have to kill? Give me your powers or I’ll kill them all.”
Kody’s scream rang out.
“She’s the next one I’ll take.”
Nick’s gaze was fastened on Kaziel. How could this have happened?
Did it matter? The hound was dead, and it was his fault.
Nick struggled to breathe. “How do I know you won’t kill them if I do that?”
“Well, I never did kill Acheron. You know I can’t without Apollymi slaughtering me for it. As for you and the others … I don’t want to kill you. Torturing you will be much more fun.”
Nick didn’t like the sound of that, but as he looked to Kaziel and then Styxx, he knew what he had to do.
“Don’t you dare, Nick!” Kody screamed.
That only made him more determined.
He closed the distance between him and Cyprian. “Take them. But you are not to harm my family or friends again.”
“I won’t.” Cyprian took his arm. “Give me what I want!”
Nick did. He felt all of his powers draining out into Cyprian.
Cyprian threw his head back as his skin crackled with power.
Nick’s stomach heaved. He was so weak now that he could barely stand. In fact, he staggered and fell to his knees.
Styxx started toward him. “Nick!” He vanished.
“You swore you wouldn’t hurt them.”
