But the one leading them...
He stood out even more than they did. His hair was a dark caramel-colored blond with lighter blond streaks. His features were sharp and fine. Aristocratic. And even though it was dark inside the casino, he wore a pair of dark brown sunglasses that hid his eyes. It wasn't until he moved closer that she realized why.
His eye color was blood-red.
A sinister half smile curved his lips as Sin stopped in front of him.
There was something insidiously evil about Kessar even though he was beautiful. No doubt he'd been the kind of kid who had pulled wings off... well, most likely Charontes and then laughed while they cried.
"Well, well. Nana," he said in a voice that was almost jovial. "How long has it been?"
Sin ignored his question and quipped with his own. "Who the hell let you out?"
Kessar laughed low and evil, and like Sin, he chose not to answer the question. "The Dimme are stirring. I know you know it." He closed his eyes as if savoring something delectable. "I can hear their wings unfurling even as we speak. Feel the blood beginning to pump through their veins. My sisters will be hungry when they wake up. We shall have to make sure they have a smorgasbord."
Sin scanned the demons behind Kessar before he gave the demon a pointed stare. "And I know just what to feed them."
Kessar asked at him. "We're not a cannibalistic species, so you're out of luck there. Just consider this a friendly call to let you know you won't find what you're looking for... So don't waste your time. We found the Moon first and now it lives where you can't touch it. And when my sisters awaken, you shall join it in utter misery."
Sin's face went white as his features hardened. Kat could feel the concerned panic inside him swell. "What have you done with Zakar?"
Kessar ignored him as he focused that cold, lethal gaze on Kat. A slight frown darkened his brow before he moved to stand in front of her.
"What have we here?" he asked in a singsongy tone. "An Atlantean. I thought you were all dead."
"Surprise," Kat taunted.
He seemed to savor her rancor. He lifted his hand to trace the angle of her jaw with the back of one knuckle.
Sneering, Kat jerked her head away from his cold touch. She wanted to spit at him, but she was too dignified for such a thing.
Sin separated them with the cane, using it to force Kessar away from her.
Kessar looked down at the cane and his face paled a degree. "You can't use that in front of the humans. What will they say?"
Sin shrugged. "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. It is, after all, Sin City."
"Hmmm." Kessar raised his hand and snapped his fingers over his shoulder. The demon with the ponytail moved forward. Kessar opened his hand and the demon laid a small box in his palm. Kessar then handed it to Sin. "In that case, here's a small token to remember me by."
Sin opened it. Kat turned away as she saw a severed finger with a ring attached to it. It was disgusting.
Hissing, Sin moved toward Kessar, but Damien pulled him back. "Not here, Sin, Not now."
"You bastard," Sin snarled from between clenched teeth. "You better watch your ass. I'm coming for it."
"Funny, that's what Zakar said, too. But he hasn't spoken in quite some time. All he does now is whimper and cry." He smiled coldly. "Just like you will."
Damien kept his grip on Sin. But Kat had had enough. She might be too dignified to spit, but at the end of the day, she was her father's daughter. Without warning, she walked up to Kessar and kneed him as hard as she could in the groin.
He doubled over instantly, groaning. Nice to know the demons were as susceptible to that tactic as a human. When the ponytail came forward she punched him so hard, he spun around. The others didn't so much as blink.
Kat pulled Kessar up by the hair so that she could whisper in his ear. "Never underestimate an Atlantean. We're not your average pantheon."
His face changed at that. Large veins protruded from his forehead before his eyes glowed. His mouth grew larger as the double-row of fangs appeared. He went to bite her, but Sin caught him by the throat.
Sin shoved him into Damien's arms. "Take out the trash, Damien. I don't want it stinking up my casino."
Kessar's face returned to normal so fast that it stunned Kat. He shoved Damien away from him. "Don't touch me, Daimon. You're not worthy."