"For that I'm sorry. But until he betrays me, I owe him my loyalty." Ethon moved to stand by Sam. A sad smile hovered over his lips as he took her marked hand into his.
In that moment, she returned to the day she'd married Ioel. Ethon had been there then too. Standing by her side just as he was now.
He kissed the back of her knuckles. "I'm happy for you, little sister. If Artemis comes for you, call me. I will stand and I will fight for you anytime."
Because he loved her.
Sam's lips trembled at a truth he didn't want her to know but one she'd seen so clearly. He'd been in love with her since long before their deaths. He'd loved her so much that he was willing to say nothing about his feelings for her in order to keep from tainting her happiness. And it was a love she'd never been able to return to him.
He would never be more than a brother to her.
Life was unfair and as Acheron so often said, emotions had no brains. Ethon deserved someone who could return his love with the same passion that burned inside him and she hoped that one day he'd find her.
She squeezed his hand. "I love you, Ethon."
He swallowed. "Like a brother. I know." He held his hand out to Dev. "Take care of her, Bear. I'd say I'd kick your ass if you didn't, but she's a better fighter than I am."
Dev laughed. "Thanks, E."
Ethon inclined his head before he headed to the door. "Time to patrol. There are Daimons on the street and stupid humans willing to feed them. You coming, Chi?"
"I have Nick duty tonight."
"Then good luck. May the gods be with you and don't kill the lippy bastard." Ethon left them.
His gaze bitterly amused, Nick stepped forward. "Congratulations, Dev. Sam." To her amazement, he shook their hands.
And he was actually happy for them.
Chi smiled. "I'm so thrilled for you guys. And I hope Acheron is wrong and that Artemis is understanding about this." She turned to Nick. "You ready to start our lessons?"
He shook his head. "Not tonight. I have something else I need to take care of."
"Nick..." Her tone was thick with chiding. "You have to learn. You're still extremely vulnerable."
"Yeah, but a good friend once taught me that sometimes you have to put others first. Tonight is one of those."
Sam scowled at the odd note in Nick's voice as he teleported out and left them alone with Chi. "What are teaching him?"
Chi sighed. "Demonology."
That was impressive and a rare talent. "Does he have your powers?"
"No. His powers make mine look weak. But he has to understand why the others are coming for him." Chi pressed her lips together as she thought about something that troubled her. When she spoke, Sam heard the undercurrent in her voice. "The more I'm with him, the more he scares me. There are times when he's so kind and then something comes over him. Something so evil that it gives me chills." She shook her head. "Anyway, don't let me taint your night. You two have a lot to discuss and decide. Shoo! Go and enjoy. We can catch up later."
Sam inclined her head to her. "I love you, Chi."
"I love you, too, babe."
"You ready?" Dev asked her.
"For what?"
He teleported her to his room.
She cringed as a wave of nausea swept through her. "I really hate traveling that way. It does not like me."
"Sorry. I just couldn't wait to be alone with you and it was the quickest way to get here."
Sam bit her lip as she scanned his lush, scrumptious body. "I know how you feel."
He kissed her gently on the lips. "So what did Stryker want with you?"
"Information on his father and how to break their curse."
"Did you tell him?"
She nodded. "I told him the truth. There's no way to break their curse. And that his father, even after all that's happened, still cares about him."
Dev let out a low whistle. "I'll bet he didn't take that well."
Sam fell silent as she considered that. "He took it better than I thought, but I have a feeling this isn't over."
"How so?"
"The Daimons can still walk in daylight and we're their enemies. Sooner or later, they'll be coming for all the Dark-Hunters and Stryker seems too determined to give up. I think he's got something even more sinister brewing."
"And I hope you're wrong."
So did she. But her gut was kicking and it had never been wrong in the past. They'd won this battle.
The war was still on.
EPILOGUE
Sam paused as someone knocked on the door right as dawn was breaking. She and Dev were just getting ready for bed. "Aimee?" She was the most likely candidate for someone disturbing them at this hour.
Dev shrugged. "Come in," he called.
It wasn't Aimee.
The door opened to show Nick. Once again, he had that sick pallor to his skin like he was in pain or about to hurl. He leaned heavily against the doorjamb as if he didn't have the energy to stand on his own. "Sorry to disturb you guys. But I wanted to give you a mating present."
Sam was touched by his kindness. The Weres had already been spoiling them with gifts and good wishes. "You didn't have to do that, Nick."