Alexion searched his mind for the words it would take to make his friend believe him. But he could tell it wasn't working. There was too much anger and mistrust. It was as if Kyros were looking for a reason to hate him.
"C'mon, Kyros. Trust me."
"Fuck you."
"Then trust me," Danger said, moving nearer to Kyros. "You've known me for five years. You trusted me enough to introduce me to Stryker and let him spiel his bullshit about Acheron." She looked over at Alexion who stood with an anguished glint in his eyes. He wanted to save his friend and she wanted to help him. "I believe Alexion, Kyros. Completely. Stryker is lying to us. He wants you to die."
Kyros glared at Alexion. "I made myself sick over your death. Why didn't you ever tell me that you were alive and well? Why didn't Acheron?"
"Because I can't live in this world," Alexion explained in that same rational tone. "What would have been the point of telling you?"
Kyros returned the words with even more rage. "The point was that we were brothers. You owed it to me to let me know you were all right."
"Maybe I was wrong then, but I came here now to save you."
"Bullshit. This is just a game to you, isn't it?" Kyros looked up at the sky as if searching for something. "Are you watching this, Acheron? Fuck you, you lying bastard. How could you not have told me?"
Kyros started away from them.
Alexion grabbed his arm. "What happened to Marco?"
He shoved Alexion away from him. "What do you care? You were sent here to kill him anyway."
It was true. Because he'd killed the college student the night before, Marco was destined to die. "He'd crossed over to the point there was no way back for him, no reprieve. But you... there's still time. I can save you, Kyros. If you'll let me. Don't be stupid, adelfos."
Kyros curled his lip at him. "I don't want your damned help. I don't want anything from you."
Alexion fought his own temper down. He had to remain calm and rational to get through this. But really, what he wanted to do was shake Kyros for being so blind and stupid. "Acheron isn't a Daimon."
"Then what is he?"
Alexion looked away, unable to answer. Yet he was torn. Part of him wanted to betray Acheron and tell his friend the truth that he needed to hear to save his life.
But if he did that...
No, he owed Acheron too much to betray his trust.
"He is one of you," Alexion said with a calmness he didn't feel.
"Yeah, right," Kyros said sarcastically. "Then why can't I walk in daylight?"
He had to give him that. "Okay, so Acheron is a little different."
"A little? And what are you?"
"I'm a lot of different."
"And I'm a lot of pissed off." Kyros pushed past him and headed toward the parking lot.
Alexion closed his eyes as he debated what to do. What to say.
What would make Kyros listen to him?
Then suddenly he thought of something. "It wasn't your fault Liora killed me."
That succeeded in stopping Kyros's retreat. He froze in place. "I should have told you she was a whore," he said without turning around.
Alexion was grateful that he was at least talking to him in an almost civil tone. "I wouldn't have believed you. Ever. I would have hated you for trying to save me. Please, don't make my mistake, Kyros."