For his hybris in thwarting Apollo’s will, Lycaon was cursed by the Greek gods. They demanded that he kill the creatures he’d created, including his own sons. When he refused, the Were-Hunters he’d made out of desperation to save his children were condemned to know no peace. For the rest of time, the Katagaria and Arcadians were doomed to be at war and to fight until no more of their kind were left.

It was a war that still continued, and it was why Stone and Alex, as well as other Were-Hunters in Nick’s school, were constantly going at each other.

Nick had always wondered how Lycaon had learned that dark magic to create a whole new species. Now he knew. The answer for it stood in his living room.

Dagon.

Even as a god himself, Dagon definitely had a set to defy the others of his kind. Not many cells in the head, but a huge set in the trousers. “Are you serious? You gave that knowledge and ability to Lycaon?”

Dagon gave a subtle nod. “And like Prometheus, I was punished for it.”

Xev frowned. “Why would you help an Arcadian king?”

“Why ever do you think, cousin? He implored my Shala. She cried. I acted.”

Menyara turned toward Nick. “Dagon was the ancient Akkadian god of seasons, magic, and time.”

Xev arched a shocked brow at her list. “That’s not the ruthless god I remember. In my day, he, alongside Cam, judged the dead and was one of his father’s best generals during the Primus Bellum. He was a war god then who served the Malachai army well, and gleefully slaughtered everyone who came near him. What changed you?”

Menyara let out an ironic laugh. “As you told Nick earlier, Dagon went to see his mother one afternoon, and met the goddess of compassion, Shala. She changed everything about him. Gave him a heart and a soul.”

Dagon’s features turned to stone. “And it is for Shala that I’ve come. Because of me, Noir still holds her and I have to awaken Azura in this realm. Now stand aside.” He started for the couch.

They all blocked his way.

“Yeah, buddy, that ain’t gonna happen.” Nick stepped forward. “You need to leave now. Either out the door or through a window. Your choice.”

Fire rolled over Dagon’s shoulders. “Out of my way, boy. You have no idea who you’re dealing with.”

Nick unfurled his wings and for the first time ever, he let his true Malachai fly. He knew it was all hanging out by the way Menyara and Kody gasped. “The last fool who called me boy ended up as a stain on the bottom of my shoe.”

Licking his fangs, he narrowed his eyes on the ancient god. “You want to dance, name the tune. Just remember, I ain’t Xev and I hold no love, kinship, nor friendship toward you.”