Balance (Book 9 )

Anubis’s presence left the room as he teleported to wherever he was going. It makes sense he would make his duties with the jackals wait. His family needed him more than the jackals did at the moment. They must wait until he completes his duties as father and husband.

The journey to Anubis’s throne was slow and arduous. The hallways were too big for me to see anything. I navigated my way to his throne room by memory alone. Once I successfully found my husband’s throne room, I walked around the room, trying to become familiar with my surroundings.

The floor pulsed, and the entire room vibrated when the throne doors opened. I looked into the blackness and walked toward the doors until I saw two beings walking toward me.

I walked to them, seeing only outlines. Anubis is taller and more muscular than Kebachet. I touched Anubis to confirm it was him. He said I no longer need to worry about the imposture. I no longer desired his blood.

“I would like to speak privately,” I said as I began becoming familiar with Kebachet.

“As you wish.” The strong vibrations came from Anubis.

I began caressing Kebachet’s head and followed down to his shoulders and chest. He is more petite in frame than Anubis but built the same. I imagined Anubis to look this way when he was young. I touched Kebachet’s chest and neck. Kebachet’s hands went to mine and held me against him.

“You must speak with your body. I am blind and deaf. I wish to speak to you.”

Small vibrations came from Kebachet’s chest.

“Continue slowly. It takes time to learn the words.”

“Why do you wish to speak to me?” Kebachet’s vibrations were soft and smooth. I could feel his heart pound hard in his chest. He was nervous about meeting me. I did not expect him to run into my arms and embrace me with joy. We have an estranged relationship. It was only recently he had opened his heart to me. Why would he be nervous?

“I have slept for a year and have woken up blind. This means the war is over. Tell me about your success. You will need to speak slowly.”

“Father has not told you?”

“No. I woke hours ago and began learning how to see and hear with my abilities. He only said my task is finished, and he refused my request to work to break free from deaths grip.”

Kebachet’s heartbeat changed to a quickened beat. My heart makes the same rhythm when I desire intimacy. A powerful scent of lust permeated the room as Kebachet’s hand caressed my cheek. It was an uncomfortable feeling. One that should not happen between a parent and a child. I allowed it to happen and dropped my hand from his neck. Kebachet held my other hand tightly to his chest.

“You would have been proud of me. I fought an army of demons. They came to feast on the souls in Bardo and were too many for the jackals to fight. I was victorious. Father abandoned me under some notion that his jackals were defecting.

“I conquered each city and each continent. I touch the earth like you showed me and made everything burn. I did it all for you, mother.” He paused for a moment, then continued, “You are beautiful and proud and strong. Father does not deserve you. He does not treat you like the goddess you could be.

“You should be feared and loved and worshiped by the living. The world should be yours to command.” His other hand went to my cheek, cupping my face in his hands. The shadow of his body changed into his human form. “I have made it possible for you to take what is yours.” The vibrations changed. I caressed the side of his face and traced his jaw. He has the same structure as Gabriel.

Soft lips met mine pleading for my love. I accepted him and kissed him back, holding him to me. I must gain his trust and force him to tell me what he has done. I will find the solution to achieving my freedom.

“Is that why you commanded the death knights to take my soul.”

“What I do with the death knight is my business.” That is something his father would say. The death knights like their business to be private. That is something I can now add to the puzzle that is their species.

I softly kissed his lips once again and caressed his chest and pressed my hips against his. Allowing him to think I desired him.

“You show great strength, son. Not anyone can command the death knight. I have a theory. Tell me if I am right.” I whispered and kissed him more passionately and slid my hand down to his groin. “The death knights follow your orders to take my soul so you can reincarnate me and rule the world together. You have already chosen a body I would be attracted to. It would be easy for me to fall in love with you.”

“You drive me mad with your beauty and strength. You are a work of art that should not be dimmed by the underworld. I will raise you up to the goddess I see in you if you will call me yours.” The vibrations felt stronger than before.

His hands wrapped around me and pinned me against his body. He was stronger than I anticipated. A year of battle has done well by him. I could feel his passion stiffen against me. His fangs suggestively scrapped my neck as he kissed me.

I could not believe what I was seeing. I hoped beyond hope that I misunderstood him, but I knew in my heart I was wrong. Incest is not uncommon among the gods; however, loyalty and morals are highly respected. I am married to the god of the dead. My heart, body, and soul belong to him alone. Kebachet knows this.

“Oh, my dear son. The death knights will not be enough to kill your father. He will not let me go and will come after you.”

“I have command of his army. His jackals and hybrids belong to me. Father has nothing and has lost the underworld. He does not even realize it. Offer yourself to me. Allow my knight to take you so we can be together.”

“How do you control Anubis’s army? You must be stronger than him.” I took Kebachet’s shirt off and ran my hands across his chest and nibbled his neck. It was revolting. His body is so much like Gabriel’s. I would have thought it was him if I did not know better. His scent is different. He smells sour to my nose.

“If you promise to give me an heir, I will tell you everything.”

“I cannot promise such a thing. My body is worn and damaged.”

“You will have a new body. A living one that walks among the living. You would be Eve and I would be Adam, and together we will repopulate the earth with pure strong children.”

“It sounds like a dream. Tell me how you did it.”

“The jackals have medallions in their waistbands. I have all but one. They are in the realm with Set. The hybrids saw the jackals turn and saw their food destroyed by fire. They came to me for help. I told them I planned to build a new world, and they agreed to help.”

“Anubis will not allow me to leave him. I have been his mate for almost ten millennia.”

Kebachet’s body froze as his hand took my jaw. “How have you lived with him for so long? Your soul is not that old.” He paused for a moment and then said, “There is something different about you.”

I took hold of his stiffened desire and sent my power into him. He cried out in pain.

“My son, you do not know the depths of my beauty. You do not know who I am. I am a goddess. An ancient and powerful goddess. Tell your knights to end the contract.” I commanded him.

“Not until you become mine. Egyptian Goddess.”

Good! He figured out who I am! My anger grew dangerously high. I wanted his blood. Within a heartbeat, my rage shifted, and I no longer needed to see him suffer. A serene calmness washed over me. I released him from my grasp and began walking around him.

I no longer saw him as my son. This is a trial. It reminded me of when I was the matriarch, and one of my subjects was brought before me for punishment. I had a cool indifference toward him. He has betrayed me and betrayed his father which is punishable by death.

“What do you know of the Egyptian goddess?”

“She was the most powerful vampire of her time. She won the hearts of the gods. During her reign of power, she performed miraculous feats. Her wrath was legendary, but her kindness was just as memorable.

“She befriended creatures and stopped wars. She grew her kingdoms of human and vampire to match her power. I was told Atum killed her. That is not true, is it Ancient Egyptian Goddess?”

“Atum killed the vampire Lara. That is truth. Her body was sent back to the earth. Her soul ascended. Atum created my body and placed her soul within to allow me to stay with your father.” I continued slowly walking circles around Kebachet. “What do you know of your father?” Kebachet was silent.

“Speak up and tell me about your father.” I said coolly.

“My father is the god, Anubis. He judges the souls that come after they depart from their body.”

“This is true, what else do you know.”

“He created the jackal army and the hybrids. He left his domain to live with a vampire for eight millennia. Until recently, I did not understand why. He was born of the gods, Set and Nephthys.”

“What do you know of them?”

“Why do you ask me these questions? This is not for you to know. Only accept me as your mate and allow the death knight to finish his contract.” Kebachet regained his composure and stood before me. The vibrations emanating from him were strong. I could tell he was angry with me. I wondered what his voice sounded like. I imagined his voice to be deep and commanding like his father’s. Kebachet was close enough to Anubis to be able to imitate him flawlessly.

“You would command a goddess born of fire with powers that outmatch your own? How prideful and conceded you must be. Let me tell you what it is you are dealing with. Set is an unruly god. He has his morals; however, he feeds on chaos and anger and fear. He is much more powerful than you are, and possibly stronger than Anubis.

“Anubis grew up learning to be cunning, manipulative and mastered the art of torture and hand to hand combat with any weapon. Set made sure Anubis would become a warrior for his gain.

“Anubis is formidable in battle and very respected among the other gods. He is a master of the mind and soul and can easily control someone and torture them to death. This, you should know, since he has taught you the ways to break a soul.

“It took him centuries to find love in his heart and several millenniums to convince a vampire she would not be enslaved by him. He has learned patience and sacrifice. He has learned how to control his emotions and do what must be done for the betterment of everyone else. When he accepted the role of husband and fatherhood, he died to his selfish desires and gave his life to his family. Does that sound like a weakness? Are you greater than him?”

“Father cannot touch the earth like we can. He is bound to the underworld and governs death.

“He has become blind to everything around him because of his love for us. I have been able to take everything away from him. If he is as powerful as you say he is, then how have I been able to accomplish this? I control life and death just as you do. We are more than a god of the dead.”

“You know nothing and have accomplished nothing. I know of your father’s deceit. I am no longer bound to the death knight. The blindness and deafness are from his power, not the death knights. Anubis overcame a being more powerful than him in a battle of the gods. He knows of your betrayal. His strength is not only physical, it is deep within. He has overcome the lust of his bloodline and chosen love instead. It is his love of you that has stayed his wrath.

“You have succumbed to the lust of your bloodline, Kebachet. You have lied to us both. You have taken honor when honor belongs to another. You did not save the world, nor did you save the souls from annihilation. Those were feats performed by your father.

“You have stolen from your father and planned to create a war between Set and Anubis. Your cowardice shows you know you are no match for Anubis. You have lusted after things that do not belong to you. You do not love me. You wish to rule me. Power is your most desired thing.

“You have proven you are not worthy of the vampire goddess or the tile of god. You will die for your transgressions, Kebachet.” I said smoothly and devoid of emotion.

I sent my power into him and found his soul. It is blood red and hungered for death. I began strangling it to execute Kebachet. He screamed and tried to fight me. He is not strong enough to escape me. The ground vibrated, and the doors to the room opened. Someone walked in. I ignored it and continued strangling Kebachet’s soul. I could feel his soul weaken under my power. His body relaxed slightly.

“Mother, stop.” weak vibrations floated around me.

“I will not. Your crime is punishable by death. You admitted committing your crime. Do not fight it.”

A hand touched my shoulder. “It is not your place to judge the living or the dead, wife.”

I released Kebachet from my power with indifference and walked away.

The room went quiet.

Kebachet vanished to be replaced by Anubis’s embracing arms. I looked around the room for Kebachet’s form.

“Where is Kebachet? We must stop him, Anubis!”

Anubis pulled me away from him and looked at me for a moment.

“What is the last thing you remember?”

“Kebachet admitted stealing your jackals and commanding the death knights. He stood where you stand now. I had him in my grasp!”

Anubis took me to him and held me tightly.

“Husband, you are frightening me. What it is? What has happened to our son?” I spoke into the crook of his arm. I could feel the thump of his heart in his chest. He is worried about something and does not wish to speak of it. Now is not the time for secrets. I must know how to free myself, and only Kebachet can provide the answers.

Anubis pulled away from me and kept his hands on my shoulders. If I could see, I would see his green eyes piercing mine with grave news. His movements are the same as they have always been. Not being able to see with my eyes does not mean I am completely blind.

“Anput, you must listen to me very carefully. Do you understand?”

“I do. I am listening.”

“I am bound by secrecy to the year you have slept. The ripple effect is still taking place. You must trust me and not question me with anything I do. If I am released from my vow, then all will be revealed. Will you trust me?”

“You are master of my heart, and now, keeper of my soul. I am under your command. If you command me to trust you, I will have no choice.”

His hands cupped my cheek. “I do not wish to command you. You are more beautiful as a free spirit. I only ask you to keep your vow to me as my wife. Allow me to take care of you.”

“I will do as you ask. Does your secret have anything to do with Kebachet?”

“It does.” I could almost feel him look into me as his power flowed through.

I remained silent and opened to his assessment.

“I must speak with Set. Do nothing until I return. Do not speak to or look for our son. Do not interfere with the jackals. Do nothing. Do you understand?”

The vibrations he emanated were strong. He was commanding me. I have only seen Set twice in the last two millennia. He was at our wedding and he made an appearance to welcome our child when he was born. I only knew the lore of Set. Set is more cunning and more evil than Anubis. He craved chaos. This would have been something Set would do. Our family is in chaos and shattering around our feet.

I feared for Anubis.

“Take me with you to Set. He will not suspect I can defend myself. Do not go alone. I will remain quiet as I am deaf and cannot see.”

“My love for you runs deeper than you know. You honor me greatly, Anput. Set will not harm me. This was not his doing. Have faith in me.” His body vibrated as he spoke. I missed the sound of his voice. It would rumble and purr as he spoke. The words he spoke were from the deepest love he has for me. I kissed his cheek and put his forehead against mine.

“I will know of your death even if I am not connected. I cannot live without you.”

“Do not worry for me.” I released him and nodded. I became alone in the silent darkness as Anubis’s vibrations left me.