suspected Reyes wanted to stay behind to guard Lucienâs body from the enemy. Lucien could take it with him to the spirit world only when he was strong enough, which he probably wasnât now.
âYour women are going to give me hell,â Sabin muttered. The two had recently fallen in love, and both Anya and Danika had asked only one thing of Sabin before the warriors left for Egypt: bring my man back safely.
When the boys arrived home in this damaged condition, Danika would shake her head at Sabin in disappointment as she rushed to soothe Reyes and Sabin would feel slimier than the mud on his boots. Anya would shoot him exactly as Lucien had been shot, then comfort Lucien, and Sabin would feel pain. Lots and lots of pain.
Sighing, Sabin eyed the rest of the warriors, trying to decide who was good to go and who needed to remain behind. MaddoxâViolenceâwas the fiercest fighter heâd ever known. Right now the warrior was as blood-soaked as Sabin and panting for breath, but heâd already moved beside Amun, ready for action. His woman wasnât going to be any happier with Sabin than the others.
Slight shift, and the lovely Cameo came into view. She was the keeper of Misery, as well as the only female soldier among them. What she lacked in size she made up for in ferocity. Besides, all she had to do was start talking, all the sorrows of the world in her voice, and humans were likely to kill themselves without her ever having to lay a finger on them. Someone had sliced ather neck, leaving three deep grooves. It didnât seem to slow her down as she finished cleaning her machete and joined Amun and Maddox.
Another shift. Paris was the keeper of Promiscuity and once upon a time, heâd been the most jovial among them. Now he seemed harder, more restless with every day that passed, though Sabin couldnât fathom what had caused the change. Whatever the reason, he currently loomed in front of the Hunters, huffing and growling and so keyed for war he vibrated with brutal energy. And though there were two gushing holes in his right leg, Sabin didnât think the warrior would be asking to rest anytime soon.
Beside him was Aeron, Wrath. Only recently had the gods freed him from a curse of bloodlust where no one around him had been safe. Heâd lived to hurt, to kill. At moments like these, he still did. Today heâd fought as though that lust still consumed him, hacking at and mauling anyone within his reach. That was good, exceptâ¦
How much worse would that bloodlust be when the next fight ended? Sabin feared they would have to summon Legion, the tiny, blood-hungry demon who worshipped Aeron like a god and was the only one who could calm Aeron during his darker moods. Unfortunately, she was currently doing surveillance work for them in hell. Sabin liked to keep up-to-date on Underworld happenings. Knowledge was power and one never knew what one would be able to use.
Aeron suddenly slammed a fist into a Hunterâs temple, sending the human to the floor in an unconscious heap.
Sabin blinked at him. âWhat was that for?â
âHe was about to attack.â
Doubtful, but just like that, Paris cut whatever invisible tether had been holding him in place and swooped through the rest of the huddle, methodically punching the Hunters until every single one of them was down.
âThat should keep them calm as Amun for the time being,â he rasped darkly.
Sighing, Sabin switched his attention yet again. There was Strider, Defeat. The man couldnât lose at anything without enduring debilitating pain, so he made sure to win. Always. Which was probably why he was digging a bullet out of his side in preparation for the battle to come. Good. Sabin could always count on him.
Kane, keeper of Disaster, walked in front of him, ducking as a shower of pebbles fell from the ceiling, plumes of dust spraying in every direction. Several warriors coughed.
âUh, Kane,â