Styxx (Dark-Hunter 22)

Chapter Eighteen

Right then, Styxx could have killed his father easier than he'd killed his uncle. "Where?" he asked through clenched teeth.

"A stew."

"I want the name of it."

"Why?" His father narrowed his gaze on him. "You want to fuck him, too?"

Styxx went cold. No ... surely not. "Too?"

His father slapped him again. "I never touched that filth. But why else would you want to know where he is?"

Because I might actually care and love my brother.

Yet he knew better than to say that out loud. So, he gave his father the only answer the heartless bastard could comprehend. "I certainly don't want to chance going to it and being mistaken for my brother, now do I?"

As expected, it placated the wretched beast. "Catera's."

"Thank you." Styxx headed for the stairs.

"Where are you going?"

"Ultimately to Tartarus, I'm sure. For now ... out."

"Styxx!"

He ignored his father's shout as he left the palace and headed for the center of the city. At this point, he really didn't care what his father did to him. What difference would it make?

* * *

"If it's a whore you want-"

Styxx cut the man off with a fierce growl. "I told you, I want to see Catera. Now!"

"She doesn't see clients."

Styxx shoved the small man back into the shadows and lowered his hood. "I am not a client and unless it is your wish to have this brothel burned to the ground and everyone in it arrested and then executed, I suggest you get the owner to me immediately and tell no one who I am."

He ran to comply.

Styxx covered his head again, making sure to keep his identity completely hidden. His blood ran cold as he listened to the bargains being cut all around. Worse were the fleeting memories of people bargaining for him....

"Can I help you?"

He glanced over his shoulder to see a tiny older woman with henna red hair. "Catera?"

"Yes?"

"I need to speak with you alone."

She shook her head in denial. "I don't do that anymore."

"I don't want to tup you, woman," Styxx snarled. "I'm here to give you the terms under which this brothel will be allowed to continue operating."

She made a subtle gesture for a burly man to join them.

Styxx scoffed at that. As if he'd be intimidated after everything he'd been through. "If you value his life and yours, you will see me privately, right now."

She held her hand up to stop the man's approach. For several seconds she debated then nodded. "Follow me." She led the way to a small room in the back part of the brothel.

The moment the door was shut, Styxx lowered his hood.

All the color drained from her face as she sank to her knees in front of him. "Your Highness, please forgive-"

"It's all right," he said, cutting her off. "Now get up."

She stood immediately. "What can I do for you, Highness?"

"It's my understanding that you have a ... an employee here who looks like me."

"Acheron."

He wasn't sure if he should be relieved or appalled. "It's true then?"

"It is." Fear and worry lined her brow.

"Relax, woman. I only want to make sure he's cared for."

She scowled. "I don't understand."

For the first time in his life, Styxx took full advantage of his rank and position. "It's not your place to understand. Only to obey." He pulled his purse out and opened it. "I don't want you to overwork him. He's to have half the week off to do as he pleases, and you're to make sure he has the best of everything you can provide him, including care when he's sick." He set his purse on her desk. "So long as you abide by that, I'll have money delivered to you every month. If any word of his abuse reaches me, I will see you personally held responsible, and the repercussions will be neither pretty nor enjoyable."

Her eyes glittered with greed. "Yes, Highness. Is there anything else?"

He shook his head. "Just take care of him."

She opened his purse and her eyes widened then she smiled. "Most gladly." She hesitated before she closed it and slid it into her desk. "May I speak frankly, Highness?"

"If you must."

She ran her gaze over the length of his body. "At first, it is quite startling how much you favor. But you two are nothing alike."

If only that was the truth. They were a lot more similar than anyone would guess. However, there was one important matter they differed on.

"Believe me, I know, madam. I'm the one who's a lethal bastard when crossed." And with that, he lifted his hood and left.

December 10, 9532 BC

It was war. Open and full-scale. His father had received the notice just an hour ago and Didymos, along with all Greek city-states, was rallying troops. They had to leave immediately.

Styxx sighed as he found no sign of Bethany at their spot. "Beth?" he called, hoping she was wandering about, as she did sometimes when she didn't know he was coming.

There was no answer.

Damn it.

He'd be gone by dawn. All he'd wanted was to see her one last time, and tell her what was happening. But then, she'd know. Everyone was well aware that the Atlanteans were stepping up their attacks and determined to conquer all of Greece. They planned to slaughter every royal family they could find.

But it wasn't his family he cared about.

"I will fight for you, my Bethany." And he would make sure that Greece stayed free from Atlantean control to keep her, alone, safe. The rest of them could go straight to Tartarus for all he cared.

He looked down at the ring he'd brought for her. A ring he should have given her on his return from Halicarnassus, but it'd been tainted by Apollo and he'd wanted to wait and give it to her when he didn't have something so brutal to tarnish the joy of watching her receive it.

Unsure if she'd ever find it, he tucked it into the base of the tree where they met and hoped that she'd understand why he couldn't wait for her.

His heart broken that he wouldn't see her again for who knew how long, he mounted his horse and left.

* * *