Ash jerked awake at the shrill pitch that rattled through his head. He was lying naked in his bed with his black silk sheets wrapped around his lean body.
I'm tired, Artie, and I'm sleeping. He sent the mental note through the cosmos to her temple on Olympus in a much calmer tone.
"Then get up and come here. Now!"
Ash let out a long sigh. No.
"Don't you dare roll over and go back to sleep after what you've done."
And that is?
"You released another Dark-Hunter without consulting me!"
The corners of Ash's lips twitched as he understood her latest rant. Wulf had bitten Cassandra.
He smiled, relieved at the truth. Thank the gods, Wulf had chosen wisely.
"That was not the way this was supposed to turn out and you know it. How dare you interfere!"
Leave me alone, Artie. You've got more than your share of Dark-Hunters.
"Fine," she said, her voice brittle. "You bent the rules of our agreement, then so shall I."
Ash bolted upright. "Artie!"
She was gone.
Cursing, Ash willed his clothes back on his body and flashed himself from his home in Katoteros to Wulf's house.
It was too late.
Wulf was in his living room with Cassandra in his arms. Her face was pale with a bluish tint to it.
As soon as the Viking saw him, his teary eyes blazed with hatred. "You lied to me, Ash. My blood poisoned her."
Ash took Cassandra from Wulf's arms and laid her gently on the couch.
Erik started wailing as if he understood what had happened. As if he knew his mother was dead.
Ash's heart stopped beating.
He'd never been able to stand the sound of an infant crying. "Go to your son, Wulf."
"Cassandra-"
"Go to Erik!" Ash snapped. "Now, and get out of the room."
Luckily, the Viking obeyed.
Ash cradled Cassandra's head in his hands and closed his eyes.
"You can't resurrect the dead, Acheron," Artemis said as she flashed into the room. "The Fates won't let you."
Ash looked up at her and narrowed his eyes. "Don't mess with me right now, Artie. This doesn't concern you."
"Everything you do concerns me. You know our bargain. You gave me nothing in exchange for Wulf's soul."
Ash rose up to his feet slowly, his eyes flashing.