"If he kills Nick, Jared will die, too," Menyara's voice echoed around them.
"What?" Zephyra said.
Menyara paused. "It's true. So think before you send him after my Nick again."
Zephyra narrowed her gaze on Jared. "Why didn't you tell me that?"
His features were blank and hollow. "You know why."
Because he wanted to die, too, and that was one thing she could never allow him to do. "For that you won't have a moment's freedom for your ser vice." Zephyra squeezed Medea's hand. "Take him to Kalosis. I'm sure your father has a hole adequate for his punishment."
Nim took a step toward Jared, but Simi stopped him. "Wait."
He stepped back, his face a mask of fear, unsure of her intent.
Smiling gently, she pulled a small bear out of her coffin-shaped purse and held it out to him. "It's a Teddy Scare," she said. "Much more fierce than your bunny." She placed it in his hand before she flounced toward Acheron. "QVC time, akri." She disappeared.
Jared stared after her as if amazed by her act of kindness. "You should go with Acheron, Nim."
Nim shook his head defiantly, then returned to Jared's body. Jared cursed. "I really hate demons."
Medea's gaze held a trace of sympathy before she placed her hand on his arm and took him back to his captivity.
Tory peered into the room where the statue of War was now encased. "Do you think he'll go free again?"
Hades cut a chiding glare to Stryker. "I'm sure there's another asshole out there who'll free him."
"But not this one," Stryker said. He looked at Ash. "Thank you for your help."
"I would say anytime, but . . ."
Stryker held his hand out to him. "Enemies forever."
"Or at least until you learn to leave the humans and Dark-Hunters alone."
"When you leave my Daimons alone, I'll stop, too."
"I can't let the Daimons kill the humans."
"And I can't stand by and watch my people die over a curse my father gave them. So long as the curse stands, we hunt."
"Then our war is far from ended." Ash shook his hand, then took his leave with Tory.
Stryker draped his arm over Zephyra's shoulders. "You ready to go home?"
She nodded.
Without another word, he took her back to his palace in Kalosis. As soon as they were alone, he glared at her. "You were supposed to stay out of the fight."
"And let you get my daughter killed? Never."
"Your daughter?"
She folded her arms over her chest. "My daughter."
"So we're back to that, are we?"
"Absolutely. Besides, I had no intention of watching you die."