Devil May Cry by Sherrilyn Kenyon Page B

weeping hysterically in grief and pain—it was something Apollymi couldn’t stand for other people to see.
    As the Great Destroyer, she only wanted people to see her strong and ruthless. But Kat’s grandmother was much more than just that. She had a heart and she ached, just like everyone else in the universe.
    All Apollymi wanted was to have her son, Kat’s father, returned to her. A son she’d loved more than anything and one she’d only held twice in her life. Once briefly when he’d been taken prematurely from her to be hidden in the womb of another woman and on the day the Greek god Apollo had killed him.
    There wasn’t a day Apollymi didn’t mourn their separation and ache for her son to come home. And she reacted harshly to anyone who caught her weeping. She was a strong, proud woman who didn’t believe in showing any weakness to anyone.
    Not even her own granddaughter. But Kat could feel Apollymi’s sadness and grief in all its harsh bitterness. Her father’s empathy was one of many things Kat had inherited from him. It was why she would never embarrass Apollymi or anyone else if she could help it.
    So Kat approached slowly, just in case Apollymi needed time to compose herself. There was a light breeze whispering by. The garden itself was surrounded by high black marble walls that shone so much they reflected images like mirrors.
    Apollymi sat on a black chaise with her back to Kat. Two Charonte demons, a male and a female, flanked the chaise. The male demon was dressed in a loincloth that left the whole of his lean, muscular body bare. His skin was a pale maroon that had yellow mingled with it. His eyes were as black as his hair and wings. The female was orange and red in skin tone and dressed in a black leather halter top and shorts. Her hair was a dark brown bob that only emphasized the sharpness of her features and the redness of her eyes. The demons were as still as statues, but Kat knew they were highly aware of her presence and watching her every move.
    Dressed in a black flowing gown that left her shoulders bare, Apollymi cradled a small pillow in her lap. It had been a gift that Simi, Acheron’s personal Charonte demon, had brought to her years ago. And because it held Acheron’s scent, Apollymi kept it ever near her so that she could feel closer to the son she could never touch.
    Kat’s grandmother was absolutely beautiful and appeared completely serene. With long white-blond hair and swirling silver eyes, she didn’t appear any older than her mid-twenties. Her pale skin was luminescent, and small drops of glitter sparkled in her hair.
    She turned her head slightly to greet Kat, but Apollymi’s welcoming smile turned to a frown as she saw Kat’s broken arm. “Child,” she breathed, moving from her chaise. She placed the pillow on her seat before she crossed the short distance to Kat so that she could inspect her arm. “What happened?”
    â€œI got caught in the cross fire.”
    â€œIf that bitch Artemis—”
    â€œPlease!” Kat said between clenched teeth. “Enough with everyone insulting my mother. Am I the only one in existence who loves her?”
    Apollymi arched a brow. “Of course you are. Everyone else sees her for what she is.”
    Kat growled at her, “Be that as it may, if not for her you wouldn’t have me. So could we please not insult her and just make my arm better, okay?”
    Apollymi’s features softened instantly. “Of course, my baby.” Apollymi touched Kat’s shoulder and immediately her arm was cured.
    Kat took a breath in gratitude as the pain finally receded. She’d inherited her grandmother’s healing powers, but unfortunately, they didn’t work on herself. Only on other people. Which really sucked when she couldn’t get to her grandmother for comfort. “Thank you.”
    Apollymi smiled, then kissed her lightly on the forehead