"A stew."
"I want the name of it."
"Why?" His father narrowed his gaze on him. "You want to fuck him, too?"
Styxx went cold. No ... surely not. "Too?"
His father slapped him again. "I never touched that filth. But why else would you want to know where he is?"
Because I might actually care and love my brother.
Yet he knew better than to say that out loud. So, he gave his father the only answer the heartless bastard could comprehend. "I certainly don't want to chance going to it and being mistaken for my brother, now do I?"
As expected, it placated the wretched beast. "Catera's."
"Thank you." Styxx headed for the stairs.
"Where are you going?"
"Ultimately to Tartarus, I'm sure. For now ... out."
"Styxx!"
He ignored his father's shout as he left the palace and headed for the center of the city. At this point, he really didn't care what his father did to him. What difference would it make?
* * *
"If it's a whore you want-"
Styxx cut the man off with a fierce growl. "I told you, I want to see Catera. Now!"
"She doesn't see clients."
Styxx shoved the small man back into the shadows and lowered his hood. "I am not a client and unless it is your wish to have this brothel burned to the ground and everyone in it arrested and then executed, I suggest you get the owner to me immediately and tell no one who I am."
He ran to comply.
Styxx covered his head again, making sure to keep his identity completely hidden. His blood ran cold as he listened to the bargains being cut all around. Worse were the fleeting memories of people bargaining for him....
"Can I help you?"
He glanced over his shoulder to see a tiny older woman with henna red hair. "Catera?"
"Yes?"
"I need to speak with you alone."
She shook her head in denial. "I don't do that anymore."
"I don't want to tup you, woman," Styxx snarled. "I'm here to give you the terms under which this brothel will be allowed to continue operating."
She made a subtle gesture for a burly man to join them.
Styxx scoffed at that. As if he'd be intimidated after everything he'd been through. "If you value his life and yours, you will see me privately, right now."
She held her hand up to stop the man's approach. For several seconds she debated then nodded. "Follow me." She led the way to a small room in the back part of the brothel.
The moment the door was shut, Styxx lowered his hood.