Acheron

She scooted back on the couch, trying to escape him. 'Does this mean you're the one who took the book?'

He paused. 'I thought your people had it.'

She curled her lip at him. 'If we had it, why would we be after the bitch?'

The insult to Tory pissed him off even more. 'She's not a bitch, Artemis. Now call your dogs off. I mean it.'

She rose to her knees to meet him without cowering. 'What if I don't do what you want? They're innocent humans too. Are you going to kill them?'

His hands itched to wrap themselves around that perfect, swan neck of hers and wring it until he had satisfaction. 'I am not playing with you.'

'And neither am I,' she shrieked. 'That journal threatens everything and I won't stop until I have it.'

He hissed in anger, but she didn't retreat.

She tossed her head back, proud in her defiance. 'You won't hurt me and I know it. You love Katra too much. She would be devastated to know her father killed her mother. I should have introduced you two a long time ago. So long as I have her love, I know I'm completely safe from your wrath.'

He held his hand up as if he'd choke her anyway, but in the end, they both knew the truth. She was right. As angry as he was, he couldn't hurt her because it would tear his daughter apart.

Artemis smiled seductively. 'I've missed you.' She slid her arm around his waist.

Ash shoved her away from him. 'If you value your worthless life, stay away from me.'

He flashed himself from Olympus to Katoteros.

Urian was on his way out the door of the main hall as Ash entered it. 'What the hell happened to you? You have a bad run-in with Artemis?'

Ash curled his lip at the ex-Daimon. 'One day, Urian, I'm going to bitch-slap you so hard your ears will ring for eternity.'

Urian laughed. 'But it won't be today, mostly because you don't look like you could do much of anything to hurt someone. Seriously what happened?'

'I wrecked my bike.'

Urian rolled his eyes in disbelief. 'Fine, don't tell me. Whatever.'

Ash let out a bitter laugh as he realized how preposterous that sounded. He'd never laid a bike down before in his life. Upset, angry at Artemis and worried over Tory, he paused to look at the Daimon. 'You know, Uri, there's something seriously wrong with me.'

'And you're just now figuring this out? Damn, you're the poster child for slow learning.'

Curling his lip, Ash started past him.

Urian pulled him to a stop. 'That was a joke, Acheron. You were supposed to laugh.'

'I'm not in a laughing mood.'

Urian nodded in understanding. 'So what really happened?'

Ash hesitated. It wasn't in his nature to talk to anyone about anything. And yet he had one burning question that wouldn't go away. 'What is so wrong with me that I'm only turned on by women who hate my guts?'

Urian snorted at his question. 'You're right. That's sick.' He clapped his hand on Ash's shoulder. 'One word for you, my brother. Therapy. Get some.'

'That's three words.'

'It needed expanding… and speaking of expanding things, you have a visitor inside who wants to be your new best friend.'

Ash cursed as he realized who was waiting for him. 'Who the fuck let him out?'

'The girl ghost who wants the two of you to kiss and make up.'

Ash ground his teeth together. 'I'd rather be hit in the head with the tack hammer Tory threw at me.'

'Tory?'

'Long story.' Ash let out a tired sigh. 'Thanks for the warning. I'll go deal with him.'

Ash headed for the doors that led to his throne room. As he passed over the seal in the floor, his clothes changed to his Atlantean formesta and black leather pants. He threw open the doors to find Styxx waiting on the other side.

He paused at the sight of his twin who always caught him off-guard. Every time he looked at Styxx he was reminded of his past. Of the brutality. Of the injustice of their lives.

And against his will, he heard Estes growling drunk in his ear as he held him down by his hair and violated him. 'How dare you make me want you like you do. I hate you for what you do to me, you disgusting whore. I. Hate. You.' The only thing his uncle had ever freely given him had been blows and insults.

Now Styxx stood before him, a perfect replica with short blond hair and normal blue eyes that Ash would have killed to possess.

Ash looked away as he reminded himself that he was a god and not a worthless whore at the mercy of his brother's cruelty. 'I'm really not in the mood to deal with you today, Styxx. What little patience I have was eaten alive about two minutes ago.'

'I know. I can sense your moods.'

Ash narrowed his gaze threateningly.

'It was a gift,' Styxx said sarcastically, 'from Artemis when she threw me into Tartarus and gave me your memories. I'm only here to ask you one favor.'

Ash felt his skin flash to blue as anger pierced him fervently. 'You would dare ask a favor of me?'

Styxx stepped back and nodded before he went down on one knee. 'I ask as your brother and as a supplicant to a god.'

Ash would have laughed had he not been so angry. What game was Styxx playing with him now? 'As a supplicant, what sacrifice do you offer for this favor?'

'My heart.'

Ash scowled. 'I don't understand.'

Styxx looked up with a sincere gaze that scalded him. 'I offered you my loyalty and it wasn't enough. So in this, I offer my heart to you. If I lie or betray you, you can rip it out over and over again. Chain me next to Prometheus on his rock.'

If he ever betrayed him again, he would. 'And what favor do you ask?'

Styxx's eyes were haunted before he whispered. 'Let me go. I can't live here anymore, isolated from people. Alone. Banished. I just want the chance to live a life that neither of us ever had a chance to live.'

Any other time, Ash would have laughed in his face. But today he was weak with understanding and sympathy for the very thing he wanted himself. What had been done to them hadn't been fair. Styxx's life shouldn't have been tied to his and because of Acheron, Styxx had lost his family, his life and his home.

Maybe a fresh start would do them both good. 'Fine, brother. You'll have everything you need to start over.'

Throwing his hand out, he flashed Styxx to New York where the prince would blend in best with the population. It was also an area where he would hopefully never lay eyes on his brother again.

Besides, Styxx was right. He could kill him at any time. Let the man have a life if he could find it. Honestly, he wished him luck.

Most of all he wished Styxx a peace that seemed to forever elude them both.

'Simi?' He'd been holding her on his body, against her will.

She pulled off his arm and manifested beside him. Yawning, she glared at him in aggravation. 'Akri done left his Simi on his arm for far too long. She done got tired and cranky. Why you treat the Simi like that, akri?'

He cupped her cheek in his hand before he kissed her forehead. 'I'm sorry, baby. It's why I brought you here. You should stay for a bit with your sister and Alexion.'

She frowned up at him. 'But what about you, akri? You've been so sad, but you wouldn't let the Simi come off you…'

'I know. I have things I have to deal with and I don't want you hurt. You stay here, Simykee.'

She beamed at the endearment he hadn't used since she was a baby demon. 'Only if akri promises he will call for his Simi if he needs her.'