"And how do I know you're not lying to me now?" Apollymi demanded.
"Because I've lost my children, too, and I know the ache that lives inside the heart that no amount of solace or alcohol will squelch. I know what it's like to have the powers of a god and to not be able to hold the one thing that means the most to me. And if you think for one minute that I would ever serve that to another being, even Artemis, who I'd like to torture for eternity, then go ahead and call down your army on me. I would deserve whatever death they give."
Kat swallowed as she saw the utter agony in his eyes as he spoke of his children and their loss. This was a man who felt that tragedy to the depth of his soul. It was enough to bring tears to her eyes, and it made her heart soften toward him. No one should hurt like that.
Apollymi stood as still as a statue. Her gaze was haunted and her skin was pale.
Sin backed the approaching demon up with nothing more than an angry glare before he spoke again. "I consider Acheron one of my very few friends, Apollymi. I would never have seen such a decent man hurt for any reason."
Still Apollymi didn't speak, but she did finally move. She came down from the dais with a regal grace. She moved to stand just before Sin. Without a word, she reached out and touched his bleeding arm and shoulder, which were instantly healed.
When she finally spoke again, her voice was only a whisper, but it held enough power to be heard plainly by all. "My son has few friends and even fewer who know him for what he is. So long as you protect him, you live. Sumerian or not. But if you prove false in anything you've said here today, I will bring a wrath down on you so severe that you will spend eternity trying to dig out your own brains to alleviate the pain of it."
He glanced past her to Kat. "Now I know where you get your gift for imagery."
Kat stifled a smile. Only Sin and her father would be able to find humor at a moment like this.
Apollymi ignored Sin's comment. "Katra." She spoke without looking at her. "He is your guest in my world. Take him from here and make sure he doesn't wander into those who would kill him."
"But I thought we could eat him," the little boy Charonte whined.
Apollymi turned a gentle look to the child. "Another day, Parriton."
Parriton pouted as Kat came forward to take Sin. "Can I just have a little bite of him, akra?"
Kat laughed at his eagerness. "Another day, Parriton, I promise."
The boy gave an exaggerated sigh before he went back to his steak.
Kat paused before Sin and held her hand out to him. She half-expected him to refuse, but instead he wrapped his large hand around hers so that she could flash him back to her house. A strange thrill went though her at the sensation of his touch. There was an indescribable power that was innate to him. An inner peace.
At least until they were back in her living room.
He released her hand and gave her a droll look. "Wow," he said, his tone flat. "That was fun. Anyplace else you want to take me while we're here? Maybe there's a darker corner of hell than that hall of flesh-hungry demons, huh?"
Kat smiled at his sarcasm. "There is the Daimon hall. I'm sure Stryker would love to lay fangs on you."
He scoffed at her threat. "Stryker's a pussy. I'd have him wetting his pants three seconds after seeing me."
His bravado only amused her more. "Yeah, right. I heard he kicked your ass last time you met." Not true, but she felt the need to tease him.
"Bullshit."
"No," she taunted, moving closer to him with her hands on her hips, "serious shit. It's all over the Dark-Hunter bbs how he mopped the floor with you and then laughed while you bled."
"Says who?"
Kat froze as she realized she'd unknowingly walked right up to him during their mock fight. Now they were so close that she could feel his breath on her face.
He was tall and sexy. There was no denying it. And those eyes...
She could see to eternity in those sharp, golden eyes that were fringed with thick, dark lashes. What's more, she was suddenly enticed with the texture of his skin. There was something electrifying about a man's jawline. Something edible. And it beckoned her to want to touch him.
Sin stood completely still as his gaze focused on her parted lips. Kat had a beautiful mouth that complemented her pale features, and a sudden burst of desire pierced him, She really was beautiful all over. Her skin was so smooth and pale. Her eyes bright and intelligent.
The more he got to know her, the less like her mother Kat appeared.
And it'd been a long time since he'd been around a woman who dared to stand up to him, never mind openly taunt him. A long time since he'd felt such heat in his loins.