“Now, now Archie, don’t be hating just because he kicks your ass every time you step into the arena.”
Archimedes shoved at Davyn so hard, Davyn staggered back into Paris. Both of them burst out laughing. When Archie moved forward to strike his much smaller friend, Urian flashed in behind him to catch his hand.
He’d had it with his brother’s bullishness and attitude. Especially today.
“You want to hit someone, adelphos. Return to the field and pick up your sword. I’ll be more than happy to knock you down a few more times until your temper’s spent. But you’re never to lift a hand to Davyn.”
“Fuck you, Urian!” Archimedes, who’d just been defeated by Urian in a sword match, charged at him.
“Archimedes!” Their father’s furious shout quelled his anger instantly. “What are you doing?”
His face swelled up into a sullen pout. “You’re always yelling at me for my temper … why don’t you ever go at him”—he jerked his chin toward Urian—“for his arrogance?”
Their father cut a steel glare toward Urian, who arched a brow in response to it as if daring them both. “I would, if he were in the wrong. Now go cool your heels or else I’ll be the one you’ll face in the arena.”
That succeeded in calming down the massive brute who was second in size only to their father.
Even though Urian was practically a full-grown man due to his Apollite blood, he still lacked a few inches of being as tall as the two of them and doubted if he’d ever measure up completely. While his muscles were well-defined and honed, he tended toward a leaner, faster build than his father’s, Paris’s, and Archie’s bulkier builds.
As did Davyn.
The two of them were about half the girth of the rest of them. Still, they could hold their own. What they lacked in all-out brutish strength, they made up for in speed and dexterity.
Satisfied that Archie was done shoving Davyn around, Urian retrieved his shield from where he’d dropped it when he’d rushed to protect his friend.
“Halt!” The fury returned to his father’s voice and froze them all to the spot.
Urian didn’t move or breathe as his father came over and pulled his shield from his arm. But his brothers were all grateful they weren’t the ones under fire—wretched dogs. They broke apart and even had the nerve to smile in relief.
And too late Urian realized why he was the one blessed with this unwanted attention. His shield was emblazoned with a rendition of Styxx’s black phoenix rising, and encircled by a Greek key pattern with the words “I defend” written above the phoenix’s head.
Shit, I should have changed that emblem more … When he’d redesigned it, he’d thought he’d disguised it enough.
Major miscalculation there.
Just as his mother had predicted, his father’s eyes and nostrils flared with anger. “This is the emblem of the Stygian Omada. The army that belonged to Styxx of the House of Aricles!”
For the merest heartbeat, he considered lying. But he’d always been honest in all things, especially with his father.
Judge me for what I do, not for the lies you hear from my lips, for I will not lie or from those of another about me …
That had always been his motto. He wasn’t about to change it now.
“I know, Solren.” Urian had stopped calling Stryker Baba a long time ago. “Baba” was for children and “Solren” was what men called their fathers.
“He was an enemy to Atlantis. You know this, Urian. Why, in the name of the gods, would you choose to fight under such a banner?”
Because I’m an idiot. That seemed the only logical reason given the amount of fury his father showed over this.
But Urian knew that answer would get him backhanded, so he checked his sarcasm and went with the truth. “He was one of the greatest military commanders to ever grip a sword, Solren. One who was barely older than I am now when he won his first battle at Halicarnassus, and that was against the gods themselves. And he was an enemy of Apollo. Just like us.”
The more Urian read about the man, the more he admired him.
“And our akra hates him as much as, if not more than, any of those gods. If you value your life, pido, burn that shield and never say his name around her. Do you understand me?”
Oh … That was important information to have.
“Aye, Solren. I’ll—” Urian’s words broke off as someone screamed out.
They all turned to see a large, burly male covered in blood. His eyes wild, he was obviously out of his mind and seeking any victim he could find.
“Trelos!”
Urian cringed as the cry went up among their people. Cursing, his father shoved Theo aside, drew his sword, and headed immediately for the deranged man. Paris and Davyn did the same.
He picked up his shield and went to lend a hand with the others who were rushing to defend their people. The trelos Daimon began attacking any and every Apollite he could reach.
Man, woman, child, it didn’t matter. He went for them all.
And with every bite, there was always a risk he could prematurely turn one of their people into a Daimon like him—one who had to rely on human or Apollite souls to elongate their lives or else they would decay into dust.
Which was what had driven him insane. For that was the chance every Apollite took whenever they decided to thwart Apollo’s curse in the manner that Apollymi had taught them. It was the risk no one ever mentioned or talked about, except in hushed whispers or fearful tones whenever they thought the goddess or his father couldn’t hear them.
It was hard enough to make the decision to become a true predator who lived off the life force of other sentient beings. To consume their souls so that you could live one more day past your curse.
It was quite another once you realized that every soul you consumed came with the very real possibility that it could drive you insane and turn you into this crazy, mindless beast that might cause your friends and family to be forced to put you down, with extreme prejudice.
But his people had no choice. Once the trelos madness took hold, there was no way back.
Death was the only option, as a new soul only worsened the madness of the previous one. Urian felt terrible for the beast, but his feelings didn’t matter when it came down to it.
Trelos Daimons posed as much a risk to the Apollite population as they did to the humans. They were akin to a rabid animal that killed indiscriminately. Without mercy, compassion, or comprehension. Therefore, he had to put aside his own emotions and help destroy them.
“Where is that bitch!” the trelos screamed. “I want the throat of the goddess who turned us into this!”
Stunned and shocked, Urian drew up short as he heard lucid words. It was the first time a trelos had said anything remotely sensible while in this state.
His father moved to cut off the trelos’s path to Apollymi’s palace.
For once, his father was no obstacle. With an astounding ease of motion, the Daimon knocked his father aside and slammed Archie into Davyn. Then he picked up Paris and threw him into Theo. Both of them crashed to the ground, tripping three others in the process.
Urian barely cut the trelos off before he reached Apollymi’s doors. “Don’t.” With a move he’d learned from studying Styxx’s journals and diagrams, he used his shield to press the Daimon backward.
The Daimon slung him to the side with the unexpected force of a Titan. It was so great that for a moment, Urian feared the bastard had torn his arm from its socket.
That hadn’t been in the manual.
Urian hit the ground hard but refused to stay there. No one would ever keep him down. Not for anything.
Rather, he quickly rolled over with his shield and in one fluid motion sprang to his feet. Prepared for war, he held his ground, but he knew his legs were wobbly. He only prayed that it wasn’t obvious to anyone else.
Especially the beast he faced.
With a loud, furious roar, the Daimon moved to wrest the shield from his arm. Afraid that this time he might actually lose his limb, Urian let it drop and stabbed him in the side. The trelos screamed and staggered back. His breathing labored, Urian unsheathed his kopis and stepped forward to slice upward with a stroke that landed straight in the center of the Daimon’s chest to hit the black mark where the human souls he’d feasted upon had gathered to form a giant stain over his heart. Instantly, the Daimon burst apart, showering them with a fine golden powder.
More relieved than he wanted to admit, Urian barely suppressed his nervous laughter. Mustering as much bravado as he could, he used his arm to wipe away his sweat and tried his best to act nonchalant about his victory. As if he did this kind of thing all the time, instead of it being his first real victory in battle.
But inside, he was turning cartwheels.
Who’s the Daimon-slayer? I’m the Daimon-slayer. Kiss my ass, bitches!
Archie began cursing him while the crowd around them cheered his name. His father smiled proudly. Yet in all honesty, and in spite of his relief, Urian was more shocked than anything. Stunned he was still standing and that his strike had worked.
Given the size and immense strength of the Daimon, he was lucky he wasn’t bleeding on the ground, lying next to his shield in pieces.
Come to think of it …
Where was his shield?
Urian scowled as he realized it was nowhere to be seen. What the …?
“You were amazing!” His father clapped him on the back and hugged him.
As did Davyn and several others who rushed to congratulate his victory.
Until they realized that Apollymi and her Charonte stood in the open door of her palace, glaring at them.
That cut short everyone’s revelry and merriment. A scowling goddess usually did.
Especially when it was Apollymi. No one wanted to come under her scrutiny, as those who did usually met with a massive calamity of some sort.
Even Urian swallowed hard as he prayed that her expression wasn’t directed at something he’d done. He could literally feel his testicles trying to climb back inside his body.
“How did that Daimon get so close to my domain?” Oh yeah, that tone was chilling.
His father rubbed nervously at his neck. No doubt his own nuts were shriveling, which made Urian feel better about his. “He came through the portal, akra.”
She folded her arms over her chest, with a sarcastic sneer. “You were supposed to be monitoring it, were you not, Strykerius?”
“I was, akra. Forgive me.”
Her gaze narrowed dangerously as a wind began to stir through Kalosis, warning them of her temper. They all dreaded whenever the goddess did that. “It appears these treli are becoming problematic for us. We need someone who hunts them. A group who can make certain they are dealt with before this happens again.”
“Agreed.” His father glanced to Trates, who paled instantly.
Apollymi also turned toward Trates, who shrank back from her stare as if she’d shot fire from her eyes at him. “Gather forty of your best warriors, and designate them as an elite force to hunt them down.”
“I will, akra.” Trates’s voice actually cracked. He cleared it before he spoke again. “We’ll have an Illuminati guard you, and the portal to make sure no other comes this close again.”
“You do that. And make sure Urian is among them.”
Urian’s stomach hit the floor. Why was he drawn into this?
His father’s eyes widened. “But he’s just a pido, akra.”
“A boy who succeeded where the rest of you failed. Do not underestimate your son, Strykerius. Even at his tender age, he’s already among the best of your fighters.”
He barely caught the groan in his throat. Great …
Urian could already feel the ass-kickings that were headed his way as he met his brothers’ angry glares. Single me out, goddess. Not like they don’t already resent my father’s favoritism that he never seeks to hide. By all means, add yours to it, and put another target on my back.
If his father wanted to know why he was such a good fighter, all he had to do was start by counting how many sons the man kept producing whenever he dropped his loincloth. Sons who took aim for Urian’s head whenever they were left alone. Even Tannis was known to take a whack at him from time to time, if he let his guard down around her.
And she had incredible aim with her shoes. Thank the gods she didn’t sharpen the heels.
Oh, to have been an only child …
But no, he had to have been born to fertile parents.
Theo shoved his shoulder into Urian’s back as he walked past, letting him know they would have “words” later.
Beautiful.
There were times when he truly felt as if he were an outsider in his own family.
This was definitely one of them. Especially when he caught the snarled-up grimace that contorted the features of his own twin as everyone began dispersing.
Damn. It was particularly bad when even Paris resented him. Davyn passed him a sympathetic stare before he followed after Paris.
Urian …
He didn’t react to those summonses he’d learned long ago only he could hear. Sadly, this one didn’t come from the one who brought him joy. But rather from the one who scared him witless.
Suddenly, he felt as if he were being watched. His skin crawled with the sensation. He rubbed at his neck and glanced about until he caught sight of a petite blonde he’d never seen before. She was stunning.
And the moment their gazes met, she quickly rushed off and vanished with the crowd.
Damn it! He’d give anything to find out who she was. But right now, he didn’t dare. Not while he was being called.
His little timid rabbit would have to wait.
Taking care to make sure no one saw what he was doing or where he was headed, he made his way through a hidden back door, into Apollymi’s palace and down the hall that led to her private garden where she spent most of her time by the pool she’d first shown him many years ago when he’d been a small boy seeking daylight. A pool he’d visited many times in secrecy since that fateful dawn.
He slowed as he drew near her position.
As always, she was breathtaking in her beauty. Ethereal and strangely serene in her sadness that tugged at his heart. He’d never seen anyone so graceful.
Her long white-blond hair was dressed in tiny braids that coiled around her face in an intricate style that framed her delicate features. The back of her hair had been left free to fall in waves over her thin, pale shoulders. Her long black gown fanned out across the dark stones, blending with it as if she were part of the landscape. A cold, brittle piece that would mercilessly crush anyone who dared disturb her.
Someone sane would run as far away from this place as they could. But he’d been summoned, and so running seemed more like suicide. Therefore, he stepped forward so that he could kneel before her and bow his head. “Akra.”
She pulled her hand from the black waters and wiped it off in the folds of her gown. “You were incredibly brave today, Urian. A credit to your solren.”
“Thank you, akra. I try.”
“No, Urian. You succeed.” She rose to her feet so that she could approach him. A peculiar air hung around her. One that was unfamiliar to him and left him puzzled as to her mood, which was even more somber than normal.
Cocking her head, she narrowed her gaze. “Should we discuss this?” His shield appeared between them.
Urian’s eyes widened as he realized why she was angry at him. Ah … crap, not this again. Why didn’t I listen to my mother?
“I meant no disrespect, akra.”
Instead of anger, a strange light danced in her pale, swirling eyes. “None taken, but I imagine your solren was quite put out by it.”
That was a mild way of stating his mood. “He said you would be livid.”
She pursed her lips. “I have to say that Styxx of Didymos was no friend of mine. And I find it … odd that you would admire such a beast, given what he did to Atlantis.”
Urian shrugged. “He was strong and resourceful. Fearless.”
“And he almost marched his army up the steps of Katateros, into the hall of the gods.”
“So it’s true?”
She nodded. “But for an act of treachery on the part of Apollo, Styxx would have defeated Atlantis, and this would have been his home. He would have ruled us all.”
“Is that why you hate him?”
“Nay, child. My reasons run much deeper than that. And are far more personal.” Her grip tightened on the shield until her knuckles turned as white as her hair. But after a moment, she let out a ragged breath. “However, I won’t take your hero from you. A boy should always have someone he looks up to. Someone he aspires to be. And as much as I hated that bastard while he lived in the mortal world, I will grant you that he was fair to his men in war. An undefeated commander in battle. There’s nothing wrong with acknowledging that even a mangy dog has noble traits when he’s not scratching his fleas or licking his balls.”
Urian wasn’t sure how to take that last bit. Especially when a moment later she changed his shield so that Styxx’s phoenix merged with her dragon emblem to form a unique chimera of the two.
A Daimon symbol.
With a motherly smile, she held it out toward him. “Here, m’gios. You shall form a Stygian Omada of your own and lead it for me. Your army will eclipse Styxx’s and be remembered long after his is nothing more than a forgotten memory.”
Stunned and amazed, he gaped at her graciousness. “Thank you, akra. I shall do my best to honor you both.”
“I know you will.” There was a longing in her gaze that he didn’t understand. It lingered with a haunting pain.
As he started to leave, she stopped him.
“Answer me another thing, Urian.”
“Akra?”
“I know why your brother Paris has no interest in wenching, but I’ve noticed that you refrain as well. Yet not for the same reasons. Why?”
He felt heat sting his cheeks as this inevitable question came up yet again. Why was everyone so fixated on his diet? Or lack thereof? It was bad enough that he was embarrassed by the fact that he was alone. Why did everyone have to keep making him explain it?
“Did you swallow your tongue, pido?”
“I think I died of shock, akra.”
She tsked at him. “Have you no answer for me? Or, like Paris, do you prefer the company of men as well?”
“In truth, I prefer to keep to myself, akra.”
Her look turned dark and foreboding. “You’re lying, Urian. You should never lie to a god. We can smell it on you.”
Shame filled him as he fidgeted with the edge of his shield. This was the one thing he’d never liked to speak about.
To anyone.
“Urian?”
He glanced up to meet her swirling silver gaze. “You know that I’m not like the others.”
“How do you mean?”
“They fear me, akra. Because of my eyes, they say that I’m even more cursed than the others.”
“Your solren has spoken to me of this foolishness and I’ve told him to pay it no heed. Neither should you.”
Tears choked him as his humiliation rose up again to burn like an inferno. “Easy for you to say, akra. And for Solren. But it’s hard when I’m the only one here who has to take my meals from a cup. And everyone knows it.”
“I see.”
But it was Urian who felt the pain and shame of it all. “That is why I keep to myself.… which is fine. Really. I’ve no desire to father children and watch them be faced with the decisions we have to make. I would much rather be alone.”
At least that was the lie he tried to convince himself to believe.
She moved to stand beside him so that she could brush her hand through his hair with a tenderness no one would believe her capable of. But she’d never hesitated to show it with him. At least whenever they were alone.
Sadly, she and his father were the only two who weren’t afraid of him.
And Davyn. For some reason, he’d always been a good friend.
“Poor child.”
He shifted uneasily under the weight of her sympathy. “Why are my eyes blue, akra?”
She cupped his cheek in her cold palm and turned his face so that he met her gaze. “Because you are special, Urian. Not cursed. Special. Never doubt that.”
“I don’t feel special.” He felt like a bastard stepchild. Hated and unwanted.
She tensed and pulled back as if something had disturbed her. “Your father’s looking for you. You’d best go before he worries.”
Nodding, he lifted his shield and bowed to her, then turned to leave.
“Urian?”
He paused and looked back over his shoulder. “Aye, akra?”
“Never doubt your destiny. Greatness isn’t something you feel. And it’s not taking up a challenge or a fight that you know you’ll win. Greatness comes when you’re scared and yet you take action against a greater foe, while others cower in terror and allow themselves to be victimized and do nothing to protect themselves or others. What you did today, both for Davyn and for me … that was greatness. And that you have in spades.”
His heart swelled with pride. Whenever she spoke of such things, he could almost believe it. “Thank you, akra.”
She smiled and this time it reached her frozen eyes. “Trust in your destiny, Urian. For it will find you. Even if you hide from it.”