"But hate is evil, isn't it?"
"I don't give a shit, Darian. I don't second-guess what I do, who I am, or who I serve."
Darian rolled onto his side with a noisy sigh. Dusty couldn't help but wonder how he'd gotten stuck with a pregnant Oracle and an equally moody teenager with godlike powers and no ability to control them. It definitely wasn't because he was the most patient of the three brothers.
"I want to go sail boating," Darian said.
"If you're headed towards the tropical storm in the Gulf, you can't take any human or Guardian with you," Dusty said, drawing a chair near the bed and seating himself in front of the Grey God.
"I don't know how to sail!" Darian replied in irritation. "Who cares if I kill a stupid human?"
"It's rule number one: protect humans at all cost. You know this. Rule number two applies to Guardians. I won't let you sacrifice any of my Guardians so you can jump into the middle of a hurricane."
"Fine." Darian bit off the word. "Why don't I have minions like the White and Black Gods? Damian gets Guardians, and Czerno gets vamps. It's not fair."
"I'm not Sofia. Don't bitch to me," Dusty said. "We need to talk about something."
"Gods, what now? More fucking rules?"
"I'd like to ask a favor of you. Sofi's pregnant."
Darian sat up, joy crossing his ugly features. Dusty gazed at him, reminded of the man Darian used to be before he was destroyed by the Black God himself. He hoped one day Darian took his place beside the other gods. Darian wrung his hands like an excited child at the news.
At the very least, Dusty hoped Darian grew out of the terrible twos.
"Boy or girl?" Darian asked.
"Boy."
"That's so awesome!"
"Yeah. But Darian, she can't help you and be pregnant," Dusty said quietly.
Darian's gaze grew pensive. "Dusty, I can't deal with this on my own," he said, gesturing to his head. "There are so many bad things in here …"
"You'll have to try, Darian."
The Grey God's face grew stormy, and anger colored his features. "I'll figure it out on my own," he said resolutely. "If that means I go crazy and break the rules, you'll just have to kill me. It's okay, Dusty, I'll accept that fate. You're the only one allowed to kill Guardians. You can kill me."
"Darian," Dusty said with patience he didn't quite feel. "Sofia needs you right now. You can help her."
"How?"
"Right now she could use some company," Dusty suggested. "She looks terrible."
"I would never hurt her, Dusty," Darian said and stood. "I'll take care of her and the baby. I promise. I can deal with the mess in my head. I have to, because Damian's going to be gone for another week and a half, and then a lot of bad stuff is about to happen, but whatever. I have to help Sofi."