Ares waited, signaling his dogs to stand down. They stopped barking, but their growling rumbled on the air, a baritone to the baby’s squalling soprano. As Kaden fumbled the last clip, Ares stepped forward and took the baby out of his hands with uncharacteristic gentleness. “Too late for apologies,” he said, his voice a rumble of thunder, lightning about to crack. “You can join your brothers on the banks of the Styx, cursed to wander until you fade to a wisp, and nobody remembers your name.”
He backed up, looking the boy up and down with cold contempt. This whole fucking mess was over. He could go home, and be rid of the whole tragic lot of them at last. The two dogs held Kaden in place, teeth bared.
Ares turned away, walking back up through the trees towards the motel, looking down at the baby. Gently he rocked him, patting his bottom firmly and holding him against his chest until the screaming subsided into low murmurs.