But what concerned her the most was the sight of Styxx’s phoenix shield. Twisted and bent out of shape, it was in the middle of the largest pool of blood.
Had they killed him?
Blood was smeared to the doors as if a struggling body had been dragged through them.
Simi’s heart pounded as she feared for her akri-copy.
Two of them ugly Atlanteans, Demonbrean and Ilios, lay moaning on the ground near Apollo who wasn’t in any better shape. Simi hoped Styxx had beat the crap out of the Greek god before they’d overpowered him.
And he better be okay, or the Simi would eat all of their heads …
Without barbecue sauce! That was how angry she was.
Off to the side, Epithymia sobbed uncontrollably and hadn’t moved from her spot where she’d fallen after Kat had drained her powers.
As Styxx had predicted in Savitar’s kitchen, Dikastis stood calmly in the shadows and appeared to have not fought at all.
Akri went to him first. “Where’s my brother?”
Raw anger flared in the god’s eyes. “They took him to the temple arena.”
Akri glared at him. “Why aren’t you with them?”
The Atlantean shrugged. “I’m a god of justice. I will not participate in something that’s wrong and undeserved.”
Akri took a moment to consider that. “Will you fight with us then?”
Dikastis nodded without hesitation.
Simi paused at the entrance of a temple she’d never been inside before. But she knew it.
This was where akri had confined Styxx when he’d brought him to Katateros. The temple that Styxx had hated.
“What is this place?” akri asked.
Dikastis let out a long breath. “It’s our arena where we held games and competitions, and where we brought those who needed to be punished and taught humility.”
Simi wanted to cry. That meant that this was where akri-Styxx had been held when he was a human. How awful for him to be back here with the ones who’d abused him.
Akri swept his gaze over Simi, Urian, Dikastis, Seth, Set, Maahes, Cam, Zakar, and Xirena. “I don’t know what we’re about to walk into, but let’s move forward with Styxx’s original plan. And whatever we do, save my brother.”
Simi couldn’t agree more, especially because she knew how important Styxx and Bethany were.
One day in the future, their daughter, Nekoda, would come back in time to help save Nick Gautier from becoming the scary Malachai. This was more important than any of them knew.
“What do you want from me?” the Atlantean god asked.
Akri sighed. “Help us any way you can.”
Simi looked around, wondering where the other gods were. How strange that none of them Atlanteans had come out to challenge them on their arrival. They should have been out here, tossing a fit and screaming.
Yet it was eerily quiet as they entered the building.
Inside the dark hall, a feral wind howled and plastered their clothes against their bodies. It was so fierce that it forced Simi to tuck in her wings.
Her sissy too.
Where was the wind coming from? It made no sense and because it was so intense it took them several minutes to make it to the arena.
