"I hate to break it to you. She already did. I just left the two of them at your place to have it out."
Astrid's head spun. How could this be?
"You're sure it was Thanatos?"
"That's what he said and after the way he tore through us Hunters, I tend to believe him."
Astrid felt ill at the news. This couldn't be happening.
Why would Artemis breach their agreement?
She knew Artemis had been anxious for a verdict, but still...
"You've got to get me back. Zarek can't kill him. None of you can."
"What do you mean?"
"Only Acheron has the power to kill Thanatos. Only Acheron. None of you stand a chance against him."
Sundown cursed. "All right. Hold tight and I pray God you're wrong, lady."
Astrid felt Sasha stirring as Jess turned the car around in a move that reminded her of a carnival ride.
"Shhh, Sasha," she said, reaching down to touch and soothe him.
"Where are we? What happened?"
She felt him shifting slightly to look up at Sundown. He let out a low growl.
"And who the hell is this refugee from A Fistful of Dollars? "
"He's a friend. So be nice."
"Nice? Fine. I won't bite him. Just yet." Sasha settled back a bit. "Why am I in a truck? How did I get here? And why does my head feel like it's about to explode?"
"I drugged you."
She had a distinct feeling Sasha had his eyes narrowed at her and his teeth bared. "You what?"
She flinched at the anger in his voice. "I had no choice. But yell at me later. We have a problem right now."
"And that is?"
"Thanatos is loose. And he's already after Zarek."
"Good, the Dayslayer has taste."
"Sasha!"
"I can't help it. You know I don't like the psycho-beast."
Sighing, she buried her hand in Sasha's fur and used his eyes as her own. He climbed into her lap so that he could look out the window for her.
After a few miles, she recognized the scenery as they neared her cabin.
But what scared her was the sight of a huge fire off in the distance.
Sundown cursed and accelerated.