They spent the next week together, Styxx constantly debating with himself about what to do. As his deadline drew closer, he became tenser and tenser. He tried to bring up the subject of her staying, but she wouldn't hear it. Finally, it came right down to the wire, and Fancy still demanded he return her. Unable to say no to her, he returned her to her apartment one last time and reluctantly left.

When he returned home, he found Acheron waiting in his study. "So you left her."

Styxx sighed and fell into his chair. He dropped his face into his hands and nodded.

"She's going to die then."

He sighed angrily. "Don't remind me. I tried, I really did… that girl is stubborn."

Acheron nodded. "I can't tell you when, you know that."

Styxx nodded.

"Don't go to her. It'll interfere and cause more pain than you could expect."

Styxx looked up at his brother, anguish in his eyes. "Keep her safe for me, then," he whispered. "I'm nothing without her."

Acheron nodded once and flashed away.

XxXxX

Fancy sighed, resting her chin in her hands. She glanced up the street for Styxx, who had yet to show. Instead of her usual dress, she wore white converse and tank top with black rinse jeans and a black leather duster. She saw him come up the street, finally, and a grin split her face. Instead of picking her up in his Mustang, though, he was walking, and his hair was dyed black. She stood, walking to him.

"Hey, Styxx!" Boo called. "Take care, Fancy."

Fancy smiled and waved at Boo, sidling up to him. "Hey, lover, what took you?" she asked, draping her arm around his waist. She tensed, realizing this wasn't Styxx.

"Keep walking," Acheron said under his breath.

"You two do look a lot alike," Fancy murmured, keeping her arm around his waist. "I'm supposed to see him tonight, so if you don't mind-"

"Don't."

"Don't what?"

"Don't see him. Not tonight." They were far enough away now that she could release him.

She narrowed her eyes at him. "He's told me. Everything. I don't care; it's past. He's changed. You can't-"

"So he's told you I'm a god of fate."

Comprehension dawned in her eyes. "Oh."

Acheron instantly felt guilty for what he was doing.

Fancy bounced up to him and kissed his cheek. "Thanks, love. Y'know, even now, he beats himself up over it." She glanced away, pain in her eyes. "The nights I've spent with him… he doesn't sleep." Her expression became troubled. "He's told me he's slept better with me there… are you sure I shouldn't…?"

Acheron nodded, but his resolve was crumbling.

Fancy smiled apparently set at ease. "We're not so different, you an' me. If you think about it." She returned to her girls.

Acheron hesitated, then sighed and flipped open his phone. "Go to your woman," he said to his brother.

Styxx closed his phone and started running. He reached there just in time to see Fancy put herself between an young girl and an older – and very drunk – man, fire in her clear green eyes. He saw the flash of metal and threw himself in front of her. The blade of a knife was embedded in his stomach, and screams echoed across the small space. He heard feet running: more than just one person had left.

Fancy bit off the cream when she realized ti was coming from her. She gently eased Styxx to the ground, sobbing. "Acheron!" She cried out. "Acheron!!"

Acheron flashed before her. She narrowed her eyes at him, blinded by her tears. "You meant for me to die," she accused, her voice thick.

Acheron nodded once.

"Instead, it's going to be Styxx."

Acheron glanced down at his brother, who was panting, his head in her lap.

Fancy let out a sob. She grabbed the knife. "I'm not living without him, Acheron," she whispered.

"Don't," Styxx breathed, his voice pained. "I'm not worth it."

She looked down at him, gently stroking his face with the backs of her fingers. "I can't, Styxx," she whispered back. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me. This past week…" her voice was cut off by a sob.

Acheron ran his hand over his face, then knelt next to his brother, placing his hand over the would. Styxx clenched his jaw, knowing what was coming. As the fiery pain spread through his wound, a soothing touch stroked his cheek, ran through his hair. He opened his eyes and looked up at Fancy, meeting her gaze. The pain abated in his stomach, but he didn't look away from Fancy.

Acheron stood. Fancy looked up at him, still running her fingers through Styxx's hair. Instead of condemning, her gaze was understanding. "It's a burden, fate," she murmured.

Acheron nodded.

She looked back down at Styxx, love and pain mingled in her eyes. "What will be the payback, diverging fate like this?" she asked, stroking Styxx's cheek.

Styxx caught her hand and pressed her knuckles to his lips. "My doors are always open, Fancy," he whispered. "To you and any of your friends that need shelter."

A tear slid down Fancy's cheek. She smiled softly at him. "Acheron, can you get him home? He needs to sleep."

"I can't sleep if you're not there."

"I'll go as soon as I'm sure my girls are safe. I promise."

Styxx nodded. "I'll be waiting."

She dropped a kiss on his forehead, then helped him to his feet. She glanced at Acheron, her eyes pleading. He nodded, taking Styxx and flashing them to Styxx's study.

Styxx sat in one chair, Acheron in another. "What's her last name?" Acheron asked softly.

"Cooper," Styxx responded, his voice as soft.

"She means a lot to you."

"I've only known her a week." He didn't deny it, though.

"Doesn't matter. I knew Soteria for only two weeks before Apollymi bound her to me."

"How romantic," Styxx said dryly.

Acheron grinned. "The heart isn't ruled by time. Sometimes one only needs to see their soulmate and know that person is the one." He stood, clapping his brother on the shoulder. "Keep your heart open. you'll find love in the oddest of places." he flashed away.