Nick watched and then imagined a similar weapon for himself. To his amazement, it appeared. He felt the power of it vibrating down the wood. Acting on instinct, he swung it at the Keres. As soon as it connected, it dissolved them. So this was one of his powers . . .
Stryker paused as he watched Nick taking out some of their enemies. At least until he saw Zephyra. Then he could think of nothing except getting to her. Before he could take a step, War seized her and pulled her toward the Italian monument.
They were just about to head out of sight when Savitar appeared behind them and headbutted War. Zephyra turned on War with a kick so fierce that Stryker felt the impact of it. As War reached for her, Stryker was there to catch him and shove him back. Ash grabbed him while he was off balance and Katra flashed in behind him. She kicked War.
Cursing, War slammed her to the ground and wrenched his arm free.
Stryker caught him. "Where's Medea?"
He laughed. "Kill me and she dies, too."
"Mache has them," Ash said. "He's the only one missing."
Stryker slugged War. "Where?"
War kicked Stryker away from him as a dozen Keres moved in to attack.
"How do we stop them?" Stryker asked Ash and Savitar.
"We have to find the one true Ker," Savitar said. "Stop her and the others will fall."
Stryker scoffed. "Care to tell me which one she is?"
"That one," Zephyra said, pointing to the one attacking Nick.
Stryker scowled. "How do you know?"
"Instinct."
Perhaps, but it wasn't until Ker headed for Tory that Stryker saw his opening. He exchanged a knowing look with Ash before they rushed Ker together. As soon as they had Ker on the ground, the others vaporized. War shrieked in outrage before he sent a blast at Tory. Jared intercepted it. He hissed as it smoldered through his body and sent him to his knees. Nick attacked then, rushing for Wars.
Ker bit Stryker. He reached for her throat, but before he could choke her, Ash had her subdued. War was another matter. He wouldn't go down. Not for any of them. Ash shook his head at Savitar. "Three months to subdue him, you said."
Savitar nodded. Stryker cursed. "I don't have three months."
"Me neither." Stryker frowned at the childish demon's voice as Acheron's demon Simi appeared. She slammed something against War, who snarled at her. Stryker pulled the demon back before War could hurt her. War reached for him, but the moment he did, his hand turned to stone. Frowning, Stryker watched as it crawled up the god's arm all the way to his body until he was nothing more than a frozen statue whose face was a mask of fury.
"What is that you hit him with?" Zephyra asked Simi.
"Aima," Acheron answered. It was the same substance Stryker had once used to freeze him. Hopefully, War didn't have any friends who'd be willing to bring him the antidote after this.
Wiping her hands together, Simi grinned. "Your mama-akra sent that to you, akri to hurt the heathen-god. Now it's Dimonique time. The Simi can't be bothered with no Greek god messing with the one who pays the plastic bills." She held her hand out to Ash. "Can the Simi have that black metal card she loves so much?"
Ash pulled his wallet out with a short laugh. "Sure, baby." He handed over the black American Express card.
"But where's Medea?" Zephyra asked.
They all looked to Jared who held Ker on the ground. "I'll never tell you," she snarled.
Zephyra's heart stilled at those words and the thought of never seeing her child again. "Jared? Do something."
She saw the resistance in his eyes before he let out a long, tired breath. "Nim? Human form."
His demon pulled out from under his collar to take the form of a small adult male. The instant he saw Simi, he ran and tripped.
"Nim!" Jared snapped. "She won't harm you."
Nim looked less than convinced as he crawled on the ground to the other side of Jared. He crouched beside him. "What does Jared need?"
He met Zephyra's gaze. "Find Medea."
"Why can't you just pull the information out of her?" Zephyra asked Jared.
"There are too many voices in her head speaking too many languages for me to differentiate any real words. She's blocking me on purpose." He looked at Nim. "Find Medea for me."
"Nim's eyes glowed red as he touched Ker and she shrieked in anger. "Medea in the hole with that god who died."
"What hole, Nim?"
"Deep one in the ground."
Sucking her breath in sharply, Zephyra started for the demon. "This is worthless."
Stryker pulled her to a stop. "I think I know where they are." He glanced past her to where Hades stood. "Tartarus."
Her throat tightened as she realized the significance of that. Once taken there, no one could leave without Hades's permission.
Zephyra turned to look at the god of the Underworld. "I owe you nothing," Hades spat at Stryker.
"But that's not true of me," Acheron said as he stepped forward. "Let them go, Hades." A tic worked in Hades's jaw. "Ma'at I can't keep anyway. Her soul doesn't belong to me."
Ash narrowed his gaze. "What about Medea?"
Hades growled. "Take her. But this clears our slate. Understood?" Somehow that seemed too easy to Zephyra. "What about Mache?"
Hades laughed evilly. "If your demon is right and he's in my domain . . . he will regret it."