That wouldn’t do no good. Akri-Lexi couldn’t just leave their home, and he didn’t know anything about saving demons or gods. Akri-Lexi was wonderful, but not at this.
She tried again to use her powers to heal him.
Again, they failed.
Terrified, Simi could only think of one place to go. Wrapping her arms around akri-Thorn, she took them both to akri’s mama who spent most of her time in her dark garden in Kalosis.
As soon as Simi appeared there with akri-Thorn, akra-Apollymi rose from her perch on the side of her fountain. “What is this, Simi?”
“Akra, the Simi needs your help. Please. Akri-Thorn is illed and the Simi can’t help him.”
“Get that creature out of here! Now! I don’t want it near me!”
Those words startled her, as did the venom in her tone. Simi couldn’t remember the last time akra had yelled at her, and she had no idea what she’d done wrong. “Please, akra! Please?” Covered in akri-Thorn’s blood, she stood up to confront akri’s matera. “He a friend to the Simi and akri. We both would be so sad if he died.”
Indecision weighed in the goddess’s swirling silver eyes. She turned back toward her fountain as if looking for something. “You would dare ask me to help the son of Noir—the beast who condemned my innocent child and his father? Why would I ever help a child of his?”
“But akri-Thorn didn’t do that, akra. He helps akri, and he keeps the Simi safe. Akri would be very sad if something happened to his friend.”
The goddess moved toward them slowly. There was no pity on her face as she glared at akri-Thorn. “I should throw him to my Daimons. Let them feast on his worthless soul.”
Akri-Thorn opened his eyes and looked up at her. “Way I feel right now, it’d be a relief. Put me out of misery, Auntie. I need it.”
A strange expression flicked across her features. “Apostolos is really his friend?”
Simi nodded. “Akri lubs him like a brother.”
She hesitated a moment longer before she nodded. “So long as you’re not lying, Simi, go to my garden and see my dragon, Sarraxyn. Tell her I need the elixir. She’ll know what to send.”
Nodding, Simi laid Thorn down very carefully, then flew to the garden as fast as she could. But there was no dragon there. Only a flame-haired woman with green eyes and pointed ears. She met her in front of the falling water that bubbled and hissed.
“Can I help you?”
Simi pressed her lips together as she looked around for the dragon. “Akra sent me to find her dragon, Sarraxyn. But the Simi don’t see no dragons.”
The woman smiled. “I’m Sarraxyn. What do you need?”
Oh, she was one of them shifty people dragons. That made the Simi feel better. “Akri-Thorn is illed and we needs the licksy that’ll fix him.”
The dragon hesitated until her eyes widened. “I’ll be right back.” Sarraxyn headed toward a copse of trees.
Simi hovered over the ground, waiting most impatiently.
It seemed like forever and then some afore the elfy dragon girl came back.
She handed Simi a bottle of something that didn’t smell particularly appetizing. “This is what you need.”
She wasn’t so sure, but …
Thanking her, Simi flew with it back to akra who was standing over akri-Thorn and not looking very pleasant about it.
“Here, akra.” She handed the vial to the goddess.
The goddess took it and hesitated. “I’m not sure if I believe you, Thorn. Don’t make me regret what I’m doing. If you do, my wrath will be immeasurable.”
Thorn had no idea what she meant by that. Or why she was so angry at him for being his father’s son. Not like he had any say in the matter. It was odd to be hated for something he hadn’t done when his sins were so great. This was a first.
Apollymi knelt and handed him the vial.
