Sherrilyn Kenyon - Holiday Gatherings

That was why there was still a wedge between them. Styxx had forgotten an event that had left an indelible scar on Ash's soul. It was one of abject humiliation and bitterness.

And it made Ash want to put his brother through the wall behind him. He had the powers to do it without making a move.

So easy…

But he refrained for the time being. "What are you doing here, Styxx?"

"I don't like being alone all the time."

When Ash spoke, he made sure there was no emotion whatsoever in his voice. "Yeah, it really sucks to be alone, especially on days of celebration."

Styxx flinched. "I was stupid, Acheron. Please, give me another chance."

"You want me to throw him out?"

Ash looked past Styxx's shoulder to see Urian approaching them. Tall and lithe, Urian had white blond hair that he normally wore tied back in a queue. Since the day Urian's father, Stryker, had cut his throat and left him for dead, Urian had lived here with Ash, Simi, and Alexion.

"It's all right, Urian. I have it."

"You sure? It's been a whole day since I last killed someone, and I'm getting antsy."

Styxx turned a menacing glare on him. "You can't kill me. If you do, Acheron dies."

Urian tsked. "Nice try, but I know better. The tie only works in reverse. I kill Ash, you die. I kill you, it's just another day to rejoice."

Ash shook his head. "I thought you were spending the holiday with Wulf and Cassandra."

"I was, but then Cassandra got all weepy-eyed over the holiday and I couldn't take it."

In spite of his harsh words, Ash felt the grief Urian still carried over his dead wife, Phoebe. She'd been Cassandra's sister, and no doubt that was what had made Cassandra so sad on this day.

"It's still your day off."

Urian shrugged. "I hate days off. They're such a waste. Hell, there aren't even any Daimons out and about. They're all holed up as if there's some kind of truce or something."

"Don't worry. They'll be out in force for New Year's."

Urian looked hopeful. "Flash me forward in time, Ash. I want to start cleaning house."

"You know I can't do that."

Urian scoffed. "You mean you won't. We both know you can."

"Just because you can—"

"Doesn't mean you should." Urian shook his head. "I really wish you'd get another saying. That one is lame." Urian swaggered over to the demons and plopped down on the floor between them. "Any chance we can watch a horror movie?"

Simi lifted her head to look at him. "Is there any where the demons win?"

"Not really."

"Then pooh on them. I'd rather shop."

Urian grimaced. "I'd rather have my eyes gouged out."

Simi arched a brow. "If I do that, can the Simi eat them?"

Xirena pulled a bottle of barbecue sauce out of her purse. "You have to share if you do."

Urian whimpered in feigned pain.

Ash paid them no attention as he started away from Styxx.

Styxx took his arm and pulled him to a stop. "You can't ignore me forever, brother."

"True," Ash agreed. "But I can ignore you for now." And with that, he snapped his fingers and left Katoteros to visit Olympus.

Normally, he'd be like Urian and would rather have his eyes gouged out than be here. Today, however, it was different.

He opened the doors from the balcony of Artemis's temple to find his daughter, Kat, visiting her mother in the main room. Kat sat on the cushioned throne with her long, blond hair gleaming. Her husband, Sin, stood behind her with one hand possessively on her shoulder while Artemis glared at him. Her long, wavy red hair fell around her body, and Ash could tell she was one step away from blasting Sin out of her temple.

"Did I miss something?" Ash asked as he joined them.

Artemis turned on him with a hiss. "Kill Sin already."

"I would, but I think Kat would miss him."

"Like I care?"

"Matisera!" Kat said, placing her hand on her distended belly. "Be nice. He is the father of your grandchild."

Artemis let out a squeal of pain before she flashed out of the room.

"Grandma, grandma, grandma," Sin said in a very infantile manner.

Ash gave him a droll stare. "Is that really necessary?"

Sin laughed. "Absolutely, and don't pretend for even an instant that you're not loving every minute of it."

Ash couldn't resist smiling. "Not every single minute."

Kat rolled her eyes at them. "You two are rotten."

Joining the laughter, Ash moved forward to take Kat's hand, and as he did so, he caught a bright flash of something in his mind.

He gasped.

"Solren?" Kat asked, using the Atlantean term for father. "Is something wrong?"

Ash couldn't speak as a strange feeling overcame him. There was something… something…

No, it was someone, he realized, and it was casting a dire pall over everything. He looked at Kat as he tried his best to home in on it.

It was no use. Whatever it was, it was gone now. But even so, it left behind a rift.

Something was coming for him.

And it was going to change him forever…