Kyros cursed. "What the hell did you do to Ias?"
Danger rolled her eyes. "That was a waste of time."
True to her words, Alexion rematerialized before them. But just as he was coming into form, Stryker shoved his hand, which held a strange-looking plaster rock, into Alexion's chest. Stryker squeezed the rock, shattering it instantly, then jerked his hand out again.
Alexion gave him a droll stare as he came back into being. "You knew better than-"
She watched as a look of horror descended on his face. His breathing became ragged, labored.
"Alexion?" she asked, taking a step toward him.
He stumbled back as pain darkened his eyes.
He gave Stryker a disbelieving stare. "What did you do to me?" he gasped in an agonized tone.
Stryker smiled snidely. "I thought you might be missing your soul, Alexion. Of course, I don't have your original one. However, after a little search I did find you a substitute." His pitying tone was belied by the gleam of satisfaction in his swirling silver eyes. "Poor thing. She's a bit whiny and you'll find her extremely weak and helpless. She'll probably last no more than a day or two before she dies completely."
Stryker held the dagger out to Alexion that he'd used to stab him originally. "You know the rules. You're the only one other than a Charonte who can end your life. So be the good guy you claim you are. Give up the ghost. If you don't kill yourself to save her soul, you'll have to stand by and listen to her die. Imagine the poor little human, gone forever from this world. Her soul forever lost. Surely you're not that callous, are you?"
Danger saw the horror she felt mirrored on Kyros's face. But it didn't last long before he recovered his stoicism.
How could they do such a thing to him? Alexion didn't deserve this. Damn both of them for it!
Rage clouded her sight an instant before she ran at Stryker. "Vous encule!"
He lashed out to hit her. Danger ducked the blow, then spun low to swipe his feet out from under him. She launched herself on top of him, pulling out her dagger as she went.
Just as she would have buried it in his chest, Kyros pulled her back.
She sank her fangs into Kyros's arm. He let go, cursing. Immediately, she went for Stryker who vanished.
"You coward!" she screamed. "Come back here and get the ass-kicking you deserve!"
But he didn't return.
The three of them were alone now.
She turned on Kyros with a snarl. "Why did you stop me?"
"You can't kill him, Danger. No Dark-Hunter can."
"Bullshit. If he bleeds, he can die."
"He doesn't bleed, Danger," Kyros said. "He's a god."
"And you're a complete and utter asshole." She shoved him back, wanting to tear him limb from limb, "Ias came here to save you and look what you've done to him. I hope you sleep well tonight, but then people like you always do."
His face turned to stone. "You don't know anything about me."
"You're right. I don't. All I know is what Ias has told me and he's been living under the delusion that you were some kind of hero and friend. God save me from such delusions."
Shaking from the force of her anger, she sheathed her dagger, then left him to see to Alexion. He was covered in sweat as he leaned against the wall.
Her heart ached for him and for the pain he must be in. His skin was pale and clammy. He looked so lost and hurt. So tortured. She'd never seen anyone in so much pain.
"C'mon, sweetie," she whispered. "I'll get you out of here."
To her amazement, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and leaned his weight against her. Danger staggered ever so slightly. It was a good thing that as a Dark-Hunter she was stronger than the average male. Even so, he was heavy and solid.