Balance (Book 9 )

I followed him silently, allowing him to deal with his emotions. He not only lost his son, he lost his heir. Kebachet no longer had rights to his throne. Anubis did his best to at least keep Kebachet’s soul alive. It was up to Kebachet to desire to live. I hoped I would be able to mend the damage I caused Casandra. I would hate to see her soul destroyed.

Anubis guided me to the council’s table and pulled a chair out for me. “Have a seat, Anput.” Anubis commanded gently.

Anubis took a chair out for me. It was beautifully decorated with rubies and blue diamonds. The chair was cedar, and mountainous scenes were carved. Nature, to its fullest, felt like it should jump out of the chair. I looked to Anubis for a moment then sat. He glided the chair to the table, then silently sat next to me in his chair. The last time I was in this room was when Anubis presented his vampire lover.

“What are we doing here?”

“You must remain quiet and wait, Anput. Do not speak unless spoken to.”

I calmly sat quietly and waited. Little by little, the other gods showed up. Set’s hand gripped Anubis’s shoulder in condolence as he took his seat. Anubis kept his emotions locked and did not respond. I felt more than I heard the room shake, announcing Atum’s arrival. We all stood in respect until Atum came and took his seat, and then we sat as one. The room around me closed with an invisible shield, and my mind opened on its own accord. I was able to hear and feel everyone’s thoughts. Many of the gods felt saddened at our loss. Some had greater respect for Anubis and me. Horace was one that was not pleased to be at the table. He was angry and blamed me for something. I heard a very low rumble come from Anubis. I was unsure if I was the only one who heard him. He must remain calm and respectful. Quarrels or arguments at the table would not be tolerated. A powerful stench of fear came from Nut.

“Thank you, everyone, for coming.” Atum began, “The last three years have been full of changes. Anubis and his family have restored the balance between life and death and led the living back to us. They suffered through it all and ended with a tragedy recently.” I felt pride and respect from Atum as he spoke.

“Anput, tell me what you see when you look at the world.” I closed my eyes and focused on the world.

“Its heart beats lightly, and the veins of power flow strong and smoothly. It is healing beautifully.”

“What do you hear or feel?”

“I can feel her joy. She used to be chained by the living who fed off her. She feels free now.”

“She?”

“Yes, I am uncertain why I feel this way, but I understand the world to be nurturing and giving like a female to her children.”

“What of the living?”

“They are a little confused, but remain loyal and wish to worship the gods. Their souls seem to sing praises. Life is at its fullest.”

“How do you feel, Anput?”

“I am sorry, I do not understand.”

“Look into yourself and tell me how you feel.”

“I am angry and saddened at the loss of my son. Much has happened that I am still dealing with. I find joy that the world is as it should be, and I feel loved.”

“By whom?”

My first thought was Anubis. My ear twitched as I heard the worlds call for my touch. Her lullaby is beautiful and told of life. I smiled inwardly as I remembered the first time I heard her song. She has been there and comforted me my entire existence.

“My husband and the earth.”

I could feel wonderment from most of the gods. Geb felt jealous and anger toward me. I understood the jealousy. He was the one who gave life to plants and had a connection to the earth. I looked at him, trying to understand the source of anger. Atum’s voice brought me back to the conversation.

“You have challenged Horace. You challenged me, and you challenged Geb” His voice was menacing, but his emotions betrayed him.

“You leave your husband to meddle in things you should not, you allowed your son to run ramped and dishonor your family and Set, and yet you sit here unafraid and confident in your work. You feel no remorse for your actions.”

“My lord...”

“Silence! I am not done, Anput. Through this trial, you have earned the respect of everyone here.” He glared at Horace then glanced at Set.

“You have become the one who we should look to as an example.”

If my skin was not so black, I know I would be bright red at his compliment.

“I am not worthy of such a thing. I selfishly fought for my life and the world’s life.”

“No matter your reasons. You did so at a great cost and without being told. You will be responsible for the well being of the world. You will be its watcher. Horace and Geb will answer to you. Life will flow where you command it, and you will still send deserving souls to Anubis. You will determine when war or famine must come. You are uniquely connected to the world. She knew you as the vampire, Lara, and recognizes your soul. She has accepted you as her guardian and requests me to send you to her. You are a wonder to behold. You were born with a new soul and conquered each trial and never met Anubis’s scales. You are a unique individual.”

I was uncertain how I should feel about that. I have gone through many changes due to those changes a part of me died. I lost my humanity when I turned vampire. As a vampire queen with responsibilities, I died each time I lost a family member. I then lost my vampiric body and my memories returning to my humanity. My humanity was short-lived when once again, I lost it to the ways of the vampire. Through it all, there was a struggle no other female vampire had. It caused me to ascend and my body to die. The Death Knights had taken my soul little by little until I was close to death. Such an ordeal changes one’s mind and leaves scars on one’s soul.

“No doubt you have had to go through changes, through those changes, you kept your memories and the essence of who you are. You have never been reincarnated. Outside of the gods, your life is the longest lived.”

I had the feeling he was not telling me everything. I will not tolerate liars, no matter the God. I looked closer and studied Atum. Time slowed, and his mind and heart opened to me. He was thankful I restored the living’s faith in him. I was the one who finished my task.

How did I restore the living’s faith?

He will be watching and monitoring me very closely. If ever I had a moment of madness again, he will destroy me entirely. He understood I was not in control of my actions when I attack Nut and Geb.

Anubis’s hand touched my knee under the table to bring my attention to what Atum was saying. The room was very quiet as they waited for my response. I almost forgot what Atum had said. My discovery confused me. I looked at Horace then Geb. Both were unhappy with the arrangement. I looked at Anubis and got nothing from him.

“My Lord, I am truly touched and honored. I do not think I am the one for the position you have presented. I do not wish to create animosity among us.”

This was the right answer. Atum’s features brightened, and his worry about my instability lessened slightly.

“I understand the position I have put you in. You do not have a choice, and neither do they. You were courageous enough to fight me when the world began dying, do not think to continue your defiance.”

“Forgive me. I will do as you ask.” I lowered my eyes from him.

“I see the fire you speak of Anubis. You have your hands full.” Everyone laughed. I was not amused. “Come now, Anput your fire is what saved us all. Do not be insulted.”

I relaxed my features and let the burn roll off my shoulders. Atum grew serious, and everyone quieted down.

“You, my dear, are under my protection. If anyone wishes you harm…” His eyes met everyone at the table and lingered on Set for a fraction longer. “…He will answer to me. I will consider any attack on Anput as an attack on the world and an attack on me.”

I already had protection from Anubis. Does he mean to split us up?

’Worry not Anput. Your marriage is sacred. You will still serve your husband.’ Atum’s voice came to my mind.

“In regards to Kebachet. I give my condolences. It is not easy to lose a child. He cannot come back.” A small trickle of emotions escaped Set and Anubis. Set seemed glad of his. Anubis was nervous about the decision. I felt nothing. If Kebachet served his time and came back, I would love him as a mother should unless he is not repentant of his actions. At the same time, I was comfortable if Kebachet remained in confinement serving out his sentence

“I have made arrangements to return Kebachet’s soul to be reincarnated to the living.” Anubis spoke.

“He has been touched by the death knight. His soul is tainted.”

“The death knights have agreed to release him. The contract is for millennia. The soul will come to me in judgment after the contract ends.”

“Will you be able to judge him without prejudice?”

“My Lord, forgive me. But you forget I am the one who sent him to be tortured. Do you think little of me?”

I could feel Anubis’s anger burn, and a silent memory flashed so quickly I did not catch it. I thought I saw two swords clashed in a brilliant storm. Anubis would have given his soul if the knights would have accepted it. I concentrated on Anubis trying to revisit the memory.

“You are being disrespectful, wife.” He projected to me.

I quieted my mind and only listened to what was said.

“I only ask to make sure you understand a tainted soul cannot be reborn. If one is reborn, the being will be monstrous and uncontrollable.”

“I know of the risk.”

“Out of respect for what your family has done, I will allow this to continue. If his soul comes to you tainted and you allow it to pass, you will be the one who suffers the consequences. Is that clear?”

“It is.”

“Good. Anput, you may walk among the humans as you are or in any form you desire. Your duties to the earth are immediate. This meeting is adjourned.”

Everyone vanished as they went about their lives.