"Yeah, but I haven't had mine with you. Why did you call and warn me about the Charonte?"
Kyros shrugged. "I was feeling sentimental. But the feeling has passed. I gave you one warning, there won't be another."
"Kyros-"
"Don't," he growled.
He started to close the door, but Alexion stopped him.
"Let me in the house, Kyros."
Kyros's face turned to stone. "You need to go home." He spoke each word slowly, with careful enunciation.
"I need to talk to you."
A tic started in Kyros's jaw. "You never did listen, farmboy." He shoved Alexion back with a curse. "Leave."
He slammed the door shut.
Before Danger realized what was happening, Alexion had kicked the door open. It rattled as it was flung back against the wall and torn free of the top hinges.
Kyros looked disgusted by the damage done to his house. "Don't make me kick your ass, Ias."
Out of nowhere, a maelstrom of power seemed to coalesce around Alexion. An invisible wind whipped at his coat and hair. It swirled around him, making the very air around him crackle with energy. Danger forced herself to stay calm in the midst of the chaos as she joined the men in the foyer.
The door slammed shut behind her and was instantly repaired.
Alexion's eyes glowed an eerie, supernatural green. "The days of your kicking my ass are long gone, Kyros. I'm the one who wields the power now."
"Actually, that's not entirely true, is it?"
Danger hissed as she heard Stryker's voice. The Daimon sauntered out of the parlor to join them. He stood beside Kyros and eyed the two of them with hatred.
The Daimon tsked. "It seems my Charonte idea was a complete waste of time. Tell me, what command did you use to quell Xirena?"
The air calmed as if Alexion were pulling the power back inside himself. "I didn't. Xirena likes me."
Stryker laughed even though he didn't look particularly amused. "I will give you credit, you are a resourceful bastard. But even resourceful bastards can die."
Alexion laughed at him. "I'm sure you would know."
Stryker turned toward Kyros. "Your friend is very arrogant for a man wielding borrowed powers. But you know the thing about that is when they're not your own they are limited."
Alexion snorted. "Even limited, they're greater than yours."
"Are they?"
A bad feeling went through Danger. Had all this been a setup? It was starting to feel like one. Maybe that was why Kyros had called to warn them. He'd probably known that if the Charonte failed, then Alexion would come seek him out for an explanation.
Stryker moved to stand just before Alexion. There wasn't even the smallest amount of fear in his eyes. He raked an amused glare over him. "It is a wonderful thing to stand at the right hand of power, isn't it?"
Alexion shrugged nonchalantly. "I'm not complaining."
"No, but perhaps you should."
Before anyone realized what Stryker had planned, he plunged a dagger straight into Alexion's chest.
Alexion burst apart instantly.