Balance (Book 9 )

The door to the box opened, and glowing green eyes looked down at me. Anubis’s mind opened to me, giving his forgiveness and love. I could feel my power surge back through my veins. He stretched a hand toward me, offering to help me up. I took his hand. He silently teleported us to our bedroom.

“Go cleaned up and return to me.” He said softly.

I saw my reflection in the mirror. Blood and soot covered me. My mane is wild and unkempt. My clothing is torn in several places. The handprint and the wound in my side are gone, but the ice cold grip is still there.

The water felt good as I laid in a bathtub and soaked my body. I fully immersed under the water, getting my hair wet. The warmth of the water did little to alleviate the chill deep inside me. I took my time, hoping the warmth of the water will overcome it.

When the water turned cold, I stepped out and wrapped a towel around my body. I shivered uncontrollably. I must gain control of my body. Anubis gave me vampiric abilities. I took the chill and welcomed it. My shivering ceased, and I felt slightly better. I can still feel deaths call deep down.

I began untangling knots in my hair as I returned to the bedroom and sat on the bed. Anubis appeared and quietly sat behind me. His legs straddle me as he helped me untangle and braid my hair.

“Anubis, I am sorry.”

“Do not speak.” He said gently.

His love washed over me. What was done was done. His heart is still raw from the pain he felt. He hated seeing me in that box and hated hearing my screams from the pain. I had to suffer the consequences of my actions. My disrespect to him and to Kyle required punishment.

“How is the earth?”

Anubis’s hand covered my mouth and forced my head to rest on his shoulder. I sent my love to him and allowed the quiet he requested. His hands rested on my shoulders as he held me to him. We sat like that for a long time. There is no way to tell day from night in the god’s realm. I would need to project my mind out to see the realm of the living. Anubis needed me to be with him. I kept my mind opened to him alone and snuggled into his powerful arms.

“You have made an enemy of the death knights” Anubis finally spoke. He was saddened, and his heart broke. “When your body dies, your soul will be tortured for all time.

“Your wounds will take longer to heal. Each time you are wounded, your body will die. You are a goddess, so it will take a long time and a lot of wounds to mortally kill you. You will die, Anput.”

“Is that why I can still feel his hand on me? I have a chill I cannot let go.”

“It is.”

My heart sank. I doomed Anubis and Kebachet. Anubis will be single once again, and Kebachet will be without a mother. “I thought we were immortal. Gods cannot die.”

“Our bodies will remain alive as long as our soul lives. No amount of poison or mutilation will kill us. We will bear the marks of battle; however, we will not die unless the soul leaves our body.

“Now more than ever, it is important you listen to me. Trust me and submit to me. If you need to let your anger go, come to me, and I will allow it.”

He went silent for a moment. I understood the silence now. He is lost in thought, fighting for a way to correct the problem. He simply desired my company while he searched for a solution.

“It is rare, but there may come a time when a death knight will release you if they find you worthy. I cannot protect you from this. I would have taken your place if they had accepted me.”

“I am glad they did not accept you. You are master here. If you die, the process of judging souls will be lost. Anarchy could destroy the world and then destroy the god’s realm. What you do is important.” Anubis thought of his heir.

“No! Do not dare give in!” I turned to him. “This is my problem. I did this, not you. Let us focus on the task hand. I have a world to bring to Atum.” I paused and made sure his eyes met mine. “Will you help me?”

“I will.” His voice is mournful. I can tell there were more choices he was considering.

I took his head in my hands “Please, do not become overprotective. Now that I know my body is mortal, I will not abuse it.” Anubis’s eyes twinkled as he smiled inwardly.

“I shall try, wife.” He was amused at how well I knew his private thoughts.

He was always open to me. I could feel his emotions and hear his thoughts, but he had a way of keeping private thoughts and emotions away. Somehow he keeps me from knowing everything about him. If ever I was curious, all I had to do was ask. Most of the time, he would freely tell me what I wanted to know. He knew I liked the mystery of who he was. I loved being surprised by him, and he loved the awe I had when he did something unexpected.

“Good. Tell me what you were working on that you could not join me up above.”

Anubis straightened and took a deep breath. “Come with me.”

He stretched his hand out to me to take and led me through the halls and to the temple’s front gate. He paused for a moment and went through.

The sun was high in the sky as a sea of sand continued on as far as I could see. Staying in our true form, we traveled north toward the Mediterranean sea. The pyramids and ancient temples were long gone. They were consumed by the sand. Cities still hugged a shrinking river. The Nile was nothing more than a trickle. People fed off it too much.

A black cloud of smoke started becoming visible. As we came closer, I noticed the cloud was growing. It covered the city of Alexandra, Cairo, and Giza. We stopped about a mile from Cairo.

“Use your spear and tell me what you see.”

I let the power go magnifying my eyesight. The city burned as people ran away. I followed the destruction and the way people were running from and found an individual. I had to look harder. It looked like Gabriel. He was well built and had wavy auburn hair. He held two chakrams in his hands. His body movements matched Gabriel’s fighting style. He cut his way down the road killing anyone within hands reach. A flaming chakram flew from his hand and severed five heads from their bodies before returning to him.

“Is that our son?”

“It is.”

“He is magnificent. He is ever bit your son. He is a quick study.”

“Anput. It does not feel like it to you, but you were confined for a month.”

“What does our son know of my confinement?”

“Nothing. He has not asked of your whereabouts.”

I felt comforted in that. I wanted to join him.

“This is his battle. He must take Egypt on his own. Once he does, he will join us in the western land. Once the western landfalls, we will split up and take the remainder of the eastern continents.”

“Is he strong?”

“He is strong enough for this.”

I turned to Anubis. “What is his strength?”

“He is not quite as strong as you, but he would prove a challenge for you in battle. He is agile and quick minded. His godly powers grow with him.”

“I have an idea that will hasten our goal.” I looked down into the earth. It is still very weak, although I can see a small growth in its life force. “Instead of taking the world one city at a time, we might be able to take one continent at a time. It would take all three of us.”

“It is too dangerous for you, Anput.”

“As long as my body remains unharmed, I will live.”

“I have said you could not destroy the living unless it was in Horace’s name. They must come to Atum.”

“This world is connected through computers and television. Kebachet is probably being shown worldwide as we speak. My image has been seen by all by now. The world knows of the war. There is no reason to warn them any further.”

I turned and watched Kebachet destroy the city. A black figure darted collecting the living that bowed to Ra. I quickly looked away. Anubis covered me with his arms. I could feel his muscles tense, and a low growl emanated from him.

“Is Kyle truly upset with me? Is there no forgiveness?” I asked Anubis. He remained quiet, holding me.

Anubis’s muscles began to relax after a time, and his hand rubbed my back.

“Your contract has changed.”

“Can they do that?”

“Your soul belongs to them. They can do as they please.”

“What do they want?”

“You were told not to look upon a death knight. It came into your vision, causing you to see it. He came to collect. I told him you turned away. He agreed to allow simple glimpses only during our war. After the war is over, you will become blind.” I held onto Anubis as I felt the knight’s reprimand and took comfort in Anubis’s protection.

“He heard your plea for forgiveness, Anput. Continue showing respect. They may release you.”

“How do you have authority over them?”

“That is none of your concern.” He said sternly.

“As you wish. Take me home?” I could feel his concern. “Please Anubis, do not worry for me. This is my burden. If I had listened to you, none of this would have happened.”

I nuzzled my head under his jaw. I could tell he was deep in thought, trying to find a way to release me. The world disappeared, and our room appeared in my vision as Anubis teleported us home. His mind was distant from me.

“Master of my heart, come back to me.”

I tasted his neck and rubbed his muscular chest with my hand. Anubis’s hands held my hand to his chest, preventing me from going further.

“All is well, Anput. I am here.”

I looked into his glowing green eyes. They were full of love and passion. My great god brought to his knees by a lowly vampire. I would do anything he wished.

I offered my body to him, pressing a breast into his hand. My breathing became rapid. I could feel tears fill my eyes. I felt I would die if he did not make me his. His hand traveled between my breasts down to my loins. He messaged me while nibbling on my neck and ear. I wanted more of him. He will not allow me to beg him for more. Anubis is giving me a gift of release until I can return to him.

“Give me your love, Anput.” A soft purr came from deep within him.

I allowed my sweet release with a soft moan. I loved Anubis more than anything, even through his faults.

He removed his hand and inhaled my scent then licked his fingers clean. He wanted more but resisted touching me. I am fragile to him.

“This will not do, husband. Do not forget the consequences of your distance from me.”

His green eyes darkened as his anger of my disrespect surfaced.

“Do not think I will allow you to be distant from me. I will do what is necessary to keep you unharmed. If that means denying my pleasure, I will do so without your consent, wife.”

He annunciated the last word to remind me of my position. It is not my place to command anything from him but his love.

I moved away from him and crossed my arms. The defiance should have caused him to lash out at me. He made no move to reprimand me. It is as if I were pregnant once again.

“I will stay here until Kebachet is through with his test.” I spoke, finally ending my standoff. “Once he is done, we need to have a meeting with him.”

“He does not need to know about your dilemma.”

“Forgive me, but he does. He will wonder why I become blind. He will not forgive us if we keep this from him. Would you wait until my death to tell him?”

Anubis looked away from me. He knew I was right.

” We also must speak of my plan. If the two of you disagree, I will defer to your plan. I cannot stand to see death and destruction any longer.”

“As you wish, wife.”