Balance (Book 9 )

“How is this possible?”

The bedroom was in perfect order. Not one piece was out of place. All that was missing was the tendril painting, and the whip Gabriel had favored.

“Those will be coming soon.”

“Why would you bring the painting and the whip here?”

“You are to work among the living. You will occasionally work in the underworld when a soul is ready to come to me. You can rebuild and make this your home.”

“My home is with you.”

“You will be with me. When I am not at the scales, I will be here. You can come to me when you have free time. This will not separate us. You have proven that even death cannot separate us.”

“Should I be nearer to the people?”

“You can be where ever you wish. This can be your sanctuary. Remember, you can teleport or walk in the god’s realm to go from place to place.”

I looked away from him, feeling a bit overwhelmed.

“I thought this would please you.” Gabriel projected with concern.

“I am unsure how I feel. I love this place. So many fond and sad memories are here. I find myself yearning for the past when I must look to the future, yet I can see myself working here with the world. I do not necessarily need to be with the living. I am only the world’s voice. I can hear and connected with her in the underworld as well.”

“You have not been happy living in the underworld. You are happier when you can be part of the living. I would rather you shine than to be dulled by the dark.”

“What of you? You are lord of the underworld. Your army and scales are there. You prefer the dark. How can I make you come here?”

“You do not need to concern yourself with me. Allow me to provide a home for you. I will give you two homes and follow you to whichever you choose to rest in. I vowed never to get lost in my work again. Without intentions, I ended up enslaving you to the underworld. You only desire to be with me, and I wish to be with you. We must be comfortable being away from each other from time to time. Just as I was away on business for two years. Just as you left me for three years here. We came back together, and we will continue to do so. You and I will be together as much and as often as you need, my queen.”

His reassurance and playfulness that this would not tear us apart brought joy and happiness to my heart. I embraced Gabriel and held him to me tightly. I took in his scent and poured love to him.

“You are master of my heart and keeper of my soul. I could never be a queen to someone as mighty as you.”

“You were my queen for eight millenniums.” He chuckled.

Gabriel returned my embrace feeling my joy and feeling happy he was able to give me something that made me happy. Gabriel’s body felt warm and natural in my arms. It was as if we had always been together.

Gabriel’s hand began to glide down my back and push my hips into his. His passion teased me as we swayed together. I took his lips on mine, demanding his love. I needed his command over me. I closed my eyes and traced Gabriel’s muscles on his shoulders and down his chest and body. Feeling his muscles tighten under my touch, thrilled me. I began to pant in anticipation for his special touch. Gabriel’s strong arms tighten his hold on me, and he began nibbling my neck and slowly guided me down to the floor.

Gabriel was lost in thought as he gently teased my skin back and forth with his fingers tips.

“Master, where are you?”

“I am here with you.” His voice was distant, and his gaze did not look at my skin. His body was in the room with me, so the stench of deceit was not powerful; however, Gabriel was not with me as he demands me to be with him.

“Do not lie to me.” I said gently. I knew where his mind had wandered. Only mere hours ago, Kyle took his son’s soul to be tortured.

“The underworld will not be the same without Kebachet. I will miss his constant presence. I am in disbelief over his lust of you.”

“Why? My beauty attracted you. Do you not lust for me, husband?” I teased.

Gabriel chuckled, “I suppose so, though I do not find my mother attractive in that way.”

“Hopefully, a thousand years with the death knights will change his mind. If he comes back to us, I will watch over him here.”

“I am unsure he will be able to come back. His soul was damaged.”

“Kebachet was born of your blood. He has your strength and resilience. I will have faith Kebachet will return. When the time is right and if you desire another child, I will give one to you.”

Gabriel’s heart melted. “I am pleased you are willing to do that for me. I am uncertain I will want another.”

Anubis did not have the heart to tell Anput she could not conceive. It will take time to heal fully. Her soul is complete and more beautiful and stronger than the day he discovered her. She has given him her heart and entrusted him with her soul. She is entirely his now.

Anput is his most prized possession. He will ensure her safety and her happiness for as long as he exists.

Their relationship suffered damages unseen and will require a lot of patience and work. Her love for him is definite. She willingly melded with his mind earlier. There is hope she will be whole once again. If she truly wished for another child, he would watch and grant it to her.

The pain he felt from Kebachet’s betrayal is almost too much to bear. He does not wish to sire another god and have him or her turn evil the way Kebachet did. Set’s blood runs in Anubis’s veins. Apparently, Set will control this part of his life as well.

***

“We have eternity. Whatever your choice, know I am here for you.”

Gabriel responded with a kiss and stood up. “Let us go back.”

I looked around my chambers and saw the swords. A mischievousness thought came.

“You say I am still your queen? Let me see if you are just a weak vampire or a god.”

I threw a sword at Gabriel. He caught it mid-air and grinned a dangerous grin.

This will be fun.

I would see Gabriel as he should be. He shut his mind off, and I shut mine off. We will dance as enemies. Gabriel waved me to him as he backed up. I cautiously followed him to the foyer and waited for his attack. We have not spared since Kebachet’s birth. I do not know his strength. When we killed a hive, he bested me.

He came to me and put me on the defense. I did not have my staff to help me this time. I only had one sword. It will take all my training to defeat a god. Our swords clanged and echoed in the hall. He is quick and strong. I feared the swords would break from his attacks. It is all I could do to keep myself from being cut. Gabriel’s muscles moved and flexed with each strike distracting me. They danced perfectly along his frame, willing me to give in and caressed them. I pulsed power into him, knocking him back.

I moved to attack him, and each time he blocked me. His spear appeared in his hand, and he threw the sword at me then stood perfectly still. My god stood before me. A smile slowly spread across my lips. I quickly took the second sword and attacked furiously and quickly, hoping to get the upper hand. He is able to block everything. His spear met my shoulder. It encouraged me to try harder. Gabriel’s admittance that he used Life and defeated me, concerned me that he was indeed stronger than me.

I summoned my power, making my skin glow. Gabriel’s eyes lit up with excitement. He was enjoying this. He met me and began attacking me. Each opening I found, his spear would close and block me. Power pulsed into me. It was painful, but I ignored it and continued swinging and blocking with my swords.

This is going nowhere. It required a new tactic. One, I learned being blind. I pulsed power into Gabriel and pushed him back, then I calmed my heart and mind to a quiet lull and closed my eyes. I listened to Gabriel’s footsteps and his movements. I listened to his spear swing. As his spear came closer, I blocked and thrust a sword. It connected to Gabriel’s leg. I again stood in the quiet and listened. Gabriel saw what I was doing. This is when I am most dangerous. I have used this tactic as a vampire before. My senses are better now that I spent two years in the dark. I could feel Gabriel’s feet shuffling, deciding on the best tactic.

His feet stopped moving and became silent. He quieted his heart rate and breathing. Something entered my mind. I projected out and saw a green dagger quickly coming toward my tendril. I knew where Gabriel stopped. He was only a couple feet behind me. I felt the air thicken as his spear came at my back. I turned and blocked it then made for a strike. I missed him. The room went silent again.

Quickly like lighting, I grabbed the dagger with my web and opened my eyes for a strike with my swords. He was nowhere to be seen. The dagger left my mind. And his spear appeared out of nowhere, connecting to my side. I swung at the opening he left and connected to his side as well. He disappeared again and quieted. I heard where he moved to. I closed my eyes and projected my mind out, looking deep within my web. He was a cunning jackal. He knew how the mind worked and could use it to his advantage. I knew of his tactic.

Another dagger raced to my tendril. The dagger was a distraction. I saw him within the creative tendril. The room was not actually empty.

He still stood right in front of me. I just could not see him. I took my sword and sliced where his ribs would be. The dagger left my mind, and my blade hit.

“Ha!” I laughed at him

With renewed determination not to lose this round, he began attacking me furiously. I could tell he gave everything he had. He is much stronger than I am. I could not let him know I could see my defeat. I took my power and used it to quicken my mind slowing time down. I could see Gabriel’s movements, and I was able to cut him two more times. I could see his frustration of allowing a female best him.

Paralysis hit me and made me fall. This was stronger power than I was used to. Gabriel’s spear raced toward my chest. I broke the paralysis just in time to roll over. His spear was quick and true. As I rolled to my feet, it pierced my hip. The pain I felt from the spear was none like I have ever felt. I felt like millions of scarabs dug into my flesh and crawled their way up my arm. It weakened me. I adjusted my power to stabilize my leg and arm. Time became normal.

Gabriel continued attacking me and closing in the gap. A sword flew from my hands. His spear came in for an attack. I grabbed it with my hand and slashed at Gabriel’s chest. My mark hit, but the same slash came across me. It surprised me, and the spear knocked me to my feet and pointed at my neck. Gabriel’s look was dangerous.

I smiled.” You win, my master.”

Gabriel nodded and walked away. The burning in my hip and arm stopped. I stood up to face him and opened my mind to him. The seriousness of his composure loosened, and a twinkle sparkled in his eye.

“I truly feel a fool. Thank you for that.”

“You do not need to feel a fool. I am impressed with you. You gave me a challenge I did not expect.”

“All of those times, I bested you. You were only toying with me. You do not take well to being humbled in such a manner.”

“It was what I was willing to do to bring you to my domain.”

I took a look at him, inspecting his wounds and looking over mine.

“When next we spare, we will fight as equals. I will have my spear or Adrestia.”

“I might as well forfeit as we speak.” His voice was light and playful. I looked up into his eyes. He spoke the truth, but there was sarcasm as well.

“You are afraid of me!” I playfully taunted.

“I do not fear you, wife. You are stronger than you know. It will be good to continue training and learning.”

I felt like his new toy all over again. I will not make it easy for him. Gabriel’s laughter rang through the hall. I have not heard him laugh that hard in some time.

“What is it?”

“I love that fire, Anput.” He knew I would not be an easy target. It is what made me so desirable.

I sighed in defeat, “We need a bath.”

“Then let us go back through the lake.” He held his hand to me. I returned the swords, then came to him and took his hand. He led us back through the spire and to the bank of the lake. My clothing lay on the ground drying.

After we dressed, I looked out over the lake toward the mansion. Gabriel embraced me from behind.

“Do you wish for your mansion to be restored?” Gabriel projected. My heart pounded in my ears. To see it standing tall and my land restored would be wonderful. But it was in the past.

“It is such a big place for one person. It was meant for a community.”

“Then move the humans here, or move the vampires here. Atum has been reincarnating. In a couple hundred years, this land could be colonized once again.”

“I love how you see things. You have a point. I only need to be patient. Maybe we can rule as we did for another eight thousand years.” I teased

“That can be arranged. We have a clean slate to do as we please.”

“Let us do it. Let us bring our home up from the grave.” Joy and hope surged through me. Most of my happiest memories were when I was a vampire matriarch with a powerful male as my mate. I would love to relive those days.

The ground shook beneath my feet. I connected to the earth. She sang to me with joy. Nothing was wrong. The water began to bubble and churn as if it was boiling, then I saw a spire of the mansion peak. The house emerged from the water. Land came with it and formed a path, like a bridge, from the mansion gates to the edge of the lake. I stood staring, stunned by what I saw. I heard a chuckled from behind me.

“How did you do this? You do not have command over the earth.”

“Geb agreed to do it as long as you desired it.”

“When did you talk to him about this?”

“The gods knew of your promotion weeks ago. Geb agreed to do this at that time.”

“And you kept this from me? We are never to have secrets.” I grew angry with him.

“We have been a little occupied, do you not think?” he said light heartedly.

“I suppose you are right.”

I stood staring at the mansion. It was perfectly preserved. No rot or decay from the last two millenniums could be seen. Minor cracks along the surface, from the building falling, was all that could be seen.

“I would love to see this mansion restored with your life force in it.” Gabriel suggested smoothly.

“Are you trying to make me into the vampire goddess?” I accused him. He is a master manipulator. I did not wish to make manipulating me an easy task.

“Not at all, my mate. This mansion is a part of you. This is where you were happiest. You loved Egypt, but this house was born of you. It was similar to the bond a parent has with her child. I only wish to see you happy. I will not chain you to the underworld. I am of the dark, and you are of the light.” I turned around and looked at him.

“Master of my heart, do not release me. Please do not leave me.”

“You are mine, Anput. You always will be. I will be here as often as you require. You are the goddess of the underworld and the earth. You command both domains.” He grew serious and took my hand. “Do not forget who you are and to whom you answer to. It will be easy for you to become queen and demand respect from everyone. You are in no position to demand anything except my love and loyally to you. You belong to me, not the other way around.”

I got closer to Gabriel and pushed my hips against his.

“Would my master become angry with me and punish me?” I remember the days when he shackled me to the pillars in our bed chambers.

Gabriel transformed into Anubis and grabbed my throat, forcing me to my knees. His anger and fierceness came forth. His eyes darkened, and his lips curled.

“Do not take me lightly on this, Anput. This is your only warning.”

His fangs came inches from my face as a low growl vibrated through him.

“Disobey me, be little me, or disgrace me, and punishment will be far from your mind. I will not hold back my wrath.”

At first, I thought he was exaggerating. Anubis’s mind and the feeling of anger are definite. He is commanding me as my god. His word is final. I remembered my vow to summit to him fully.

“Yes, master.” I said and lowered my eyes.

He watched as what he said sank into my mind then released me. His anger turned into relief as he stood tall before me. Something had happened while I waited in the dark. I am uncertain if Anubis will ever tell me what has caused him to be secretive. I suspected it had something to do with his father, although any one of the council members could have played a part.

“I must return to the underworld for a time. Call me if you have need.” He said in a softer commanding tone. He looked around the area. “You will be busy for a while.” Then he disappeared, ignoring the torrent of questions in my mind.

I immediately felt isolated and desired his presence. He has been away from the underworld for three years. It was time to go back and regain what he lost. He would be very busy reestablishing his authority and organizing the souls.

Anubis was like me in that way. We both saw a task and wish to complete it quickly, giving everything we had to the task. If the centuries and millenniums have taught us anything, it is time cannot be reversed. We are immortal and can take as much time as we please to work to make things new. The world of the living and dead will never be the same.

I looked around the area. Geb was busy starting new growth. Tender grasses and small blooms began to grow. It would be springtime soon. No trees or shrubs could be found. Those will not be seen for decades. Geb understood time better than I did. He had more patients than I could ever have. I could learn a lot from him. He is my partner in this.

Perhaps I should go to him and learn from him. Allow him to show me his world. Apparently, I owed him a great deal. I should try to make amends.

I hummed old tunes in my mind as I walked around the lake, remembering when it was my land. The earth vibrated and glowed. I heard her sing the same tune. Blue light pulsed at each footstep. I sent a tether to the earth and connected to her intimately. Her song is beautiful and gave me chills. I allowed the song to escape my lungs and used my power to bring the song up from the ground letting the living hear it. The blue light pulsed brighter as new growth sprang up, feeding on our love. I heard people leaving their homes in wonderment.

The lake sparkled like diamonds and rolled with the tune. I walked the entire circumference of the lake and ended by the path leading to the mansion. I felt the earth encourage me to touch my home and bring it back to life. It was a time of peace, and she longed for that time again.

I brought the tune out and added more power to it, magnifying the tune. My skin felt chilled with excitement like a bride meeting her groom. Love poured out as the song continued more vibrantly. I touched the gates, and a powerful concussion rang out as if I unlocked a barrier. The gates glowed a golden hue, and the home began to vibrate. I pulsed more power of life and love into the home while singing to it. I could feel its life resurface. It connected to my mind and began healing the destruction. When the song ended, the mansion was fully restored. It had a blue aura about it that slowly faded.