Styxx (Dark-Hunter 22)

Styxx used Acheron's diagram of the gods he'd named to highlight each one. "Apollo's not a problem. He's an effing idiot when it comes to things like this. And he's a bully with no courage who will back down to someone more powerful." Which sadly wasn't him. "He won't be leading a charge, but will stay back until he can land a punch from safety. Unfortunately, Archon isn't any of that. He's sharp and deadly. Vindictive as hell. Brutal. But out of the list, Epithymia and Asteros"-he highlighted them-"are the two we have to neutralize immediately. Do not underestimate them, especially Epithymia."

He swept his gaze around the room's occupants. "And do not let that bitch touch you ... Demonbrean is even dumber than Apollo, but he's also the size of an effing house. His skin is armored and he lives to crush things. Treat him like a python and don't let him get his arms around you. Dikastis will hang back to get the lay of the situation and might not fight us at all. The rest are followers. Lethal, but pawns nonetheless. They were servants for Misos in war, and only did what they were told to do. You take out Archon and they will stand down.... Now what do we know of their demands?"

Savitar let out a bitter growl. "Because I was their Chthonian, Archon contacted me, not knowing my relationship with the Grom. They want Acheron as a sacrifice so that they can use his blood and heart to bring back the rest of their merry band, except for Bethany. Archon blames her for this, as if he wasn't the one who caused Acheron to be cursed ... what were you telling me about his intelligence?"

"Steadfast denial is not the same as intelligence." Styxx rubbed at his eyebrow as he digested the little gold nugget no one had bothered to tell him about when they'd asked him to be Acheron. "Just out of curiosity, what was the game plan you had once you sent me in to die and they discovered my blood and heart couldn't bring back their dead?"

Savitar shrugged nonchalantly. "Buy us time to gather enough Chthonians to take them down."

'Cause the Chthonians were such known people pleasers ... yeah. Their official motto-Does Not Play Well With Others. Do Not Mix With General Population or People. Period.

And whatever you do, don't feed them after midnight or any other time of the day as they would take the hand feeding them and shove it in an uncomfortable place on your body.

Styxx would be tempted to laugh if he wasn't so pissed. "Thank the gods none of you were among my military advisors. We'd have had our asses handed to us," he mumbled under his breath. Then louder, "Are they at full strength?"

Acheron shrugged. "No idea."

"Let's assume yes." Styxx ran over the facts. "So our numbers are basically even. The weakest link in our group is me.... What are our strengths?"

Simi opened her bag and pulled out her barbecue sauce. "Demons ready to eat, Sir Akri-Styxx! Gimme!"

Laughing at Simi's enthusiasm, Acheron jerked his chin toward his other daughter. "I don't want Katra in harm's way, but she's a siphon."

That was a good power to have, especially when it was on your side and not theirs.

"I'm also a trained soldier, Dad." Kat rolled her eyes at Acheron then looked at her husband, Sin, and warned him with her gaze not to say a word. She turned toward Styxx. "I was my mother's primary kori, and unlike my seriously overprotective father and husband, she-"

"Put her ass in harm's way all the damn time with a blatant disregard for her safety that still pisses me off," Sin growled.

Kat smiled and cupped his cheek. "Yes, baby, but had she not been so careless, I wouldn't have you. Now would I?"

He grumbled under his breath.

And like Bethany, Kat was born of the two pantheons they were up against. A definite plus.

"What else do we have that they won't know about?"

Set folded his arms over his chest. "For thousands of years, my son was the High Guardian for Noir in Azmodea."

Seth nodded. "I'm used to battling angry gods. I can also get us a bird's-eye view of anything you need. What I use, they can't block."

"And thanks to Davyn," Urian said, indicating the friend he'd brought with him out of Kalosis. "We have this." He held up a necklace that meant nothing to Styxx.

However, Set's eyes widened with recognition. "How did you get that?"

Urian snorted. "My enemy's enemy is my best damn friend. Davyn borrowed it from my father who was more than happy to lend it and wants us to tie it in a bow around Apollo's neck."

"What is it?" Styxx asked.

Set laughed, low and evil, and made no moves to touch it. "The Eye of Verlyn. That will deplete the powers of any god it comes into direct contact with."

Styxx looked at it with a new respect. "For how long?"

"As soon as it touches them, they're wiped. Then it depends on how long it's on their body and how strong they are. Too long, it'll kill them."

Styxx smiled and inclined his head to them. That was a nice toy. "Does it work on just full-bloods or any other species?"

Set shrugged. "I don't know."

Before anyone could react, Simi grabbed her sister and put her hand on it.

"Hey!" Xirena snapped at her sister.

"You still got power?"

Xirena shot a blast of fire at her.

Grinning and ducking, Simi looked at Styxx and let go of Xirena. "It don't work on us."

Urian laughed. "I'm only a quarter demigod, and it doesn't seem to affect me."

"I think I'm the only true demi then." Seth bravely took it into his hand and waited. After a couple of minutes, he shook his head. "No affect on me, either."

"Since my powers are borrowed from Apollymi, I'm not chancing it. We'll assume I need to stay clear of it. Urian, let's leave it in your custody." Styxx hesitated as another thought occurred to him. "Can the stone be broken apart or duplicated?"

Set shook his head. "Not without destroying it."

Styxx frowned at Acheron who was an unknown in all of this. "Would the stone just suck out your god powers and leave the rest intact?"

"That's what usually happens. Why? You thinking of giving me an early Christmas present?"

"Don't distract or tempt me." Styxx ran over the rest of their arsenal and the layout of Acheron's temple. They'd definitely use Seth to get a peek of what they were going into.

But first ...

"My most important question of all ... Where's my Bethany?"

* * *

As Styxx reached for the doorknob, Katra placed her hand on his arm. "I know this is the first time we've met, Styxx, but I'd rather you not go in there alone. Someone should be with you."

The compassionate concern in her green eyes shocked him. "How are you Artemis's daughter?"

Kat smiled. "She's not as bad as you think.... Apollo, however, is probably worse."

Simi stood on his other side and leaned in to whisper in his ear. "We'll be super quiet. Akri-Styxx won't even know we're there."

Urian put his hand on Styxx's shoulder. "Don't worry. What happens happens and we won't think anything about it. We'll just be here for you if you need us."

Their kindness overwhelmed him. He wasn't used to anyone being concerned about him. Not since Bethany and Galen. "Thank you."

Taking a deep breath to steady his dizzying emotions, Styxx opened the bedroom door. The floor-to-ceiling windows were open, letting in the soft ocean breeze. But it was the huge canopied bed in the center of the room that held his attention. White linen drapes were pulled back with gold cords, obscuring most of the bed's contents.

All he could see was a bump beneath the stark white covers.