Devil May Cry (Dark-Hunter 11)

"The Simi is going to get akri to come and make it better."

How she wished it were that easy. But her father was as trapped as they were. "I've already tried that."

Kish studied Simi for a minute. "Why don't we send the demons out to get the Rod and bring it back to us?"

"They can't stand alone against the number of demons outside," Xypher said. "They're two against thousands. It would be a slaughter."

"I'm going to get akri." Simi vanished.

Sin didn't speak a word at all. He just held his brother and looked as if his heart had been ripped out, too.

"I don't understand your moodiness."

Ash rolled his eyes as he stood in front of Artemis's settee with her glaring at him. "I'm not moody, Artie. I'm usually pissed whenever you're around. This is nothing new to you."

Before she could respond, Simi appeared.

Artemis curled her lip. "Oh get that out of my temple before it wets the rug."

"You don't have rugs," Ash reminded her, unamused by her attack on Simi.

"The floor then."

Simi hissed at Artemis.

Ash ignored the goddess and turned to Simi. "Hey baby, what do you need?"

"Akra-Kat is in trouble, akri. Them demons have her caught and she's got no powers. They're going to let the really mean demons out to eat her."

Artemis stood up and came forward, her face white. "What do you mean she has no powers?"

"They got this medallion that sucks all the powers of a god away and they used it on Akra-Kat. Now they're going to kill her."

Before Ash could move, Artemis vanished. An instant later, she reappeared. "You might need to come with me."

"You think?" Sin would tear her apart. But Ash needed verbal confirmation from Artemis before he acted. "You're releasing me from my promise?"

"Yes, now help me protect my daughter!"

Kat looked up as a shadow fell over her. Her heart stopped as she saw Acheron. "You're here."

Using his thumb, he pointed to Artemis over his shoulder. "Nothing like a bear worried over a cub." He frowned at the sight of Zakar in Sin's arms.

Sin laid his brother down as he saw Ash and Artemis, but to his credit, he didn't attack the goddess.

"What happened?" Ash asked.

Kat swallowed before she answered. "Kessar killed him. I was going to heal him, but my powers are gone."

Ash met Sin's agonized gaze. "Don't worry, Sin. You've lost enough. I'm not going to see this happen to you again." Kneeling on the ground beside the body, Ash placed his hand over Zakar's chest. Two heartbeats later, Zakar gasped as his body seized. He lurched forward, coughing.

The relief on Sin's face was tangible. "Thank you, Acheron."

Ash inclined his head before he took the rest of the cavern in.

"Can you stop the Dimme?" Kat asked hopefully.

Ash rubbed the side of his face as he considered everything. "I don't control the Rod. It's not Atlantean. Only Sin or Zakar can stop them."

Sin helped his brother to his feet. Zakar appeared to have a bit of trouble breathing, but he was alive and that was all that mattered. And with every breath he took, he seemed to get stronger.

Sin met Ash's gaze. "We need our powers."

Ash turned to Artemis.

She stared at the men blankly. "What?"

Ash's irritation with her was more than apparent. "Kat is a Siphon. Even weak, she can take powers. One of us is going to have to share with her and the other will have to get the Rod from Kessar and return with it here."

Artemis screwed her face up. "I'm not touching that demon. He's disgusting."

"Then you'll have to share a few powers with Kat... and Sin."

Artemis fumed. Everyone who knew her knew the goddess didn't like to share anything. "Fine. But who will protect her if you fail to get the Rod?"

"Simi... and trust me, I won't fail."

Kat wasn't quite so confident. "What if Kessar takes your powers before you get the Rod?"