Soul Unbound (Key to the Cursed Book 3)

by Jean Murray

  “That is far enough,” Menthu barked at the siravant. The deformed hands tied off the chains and locked her into position.

  The siravant snapped its jaws as it shifted close to Siya. Its demon breath washed over her. She suppressed the will to breathe, fearful it would try and enter her as it did the humans suspended in the basement. The once human face was distorted with long jagged teeth smeared with black saliva and eyes, the color of tar. The overemphasized bones stretched the skin of the face.

  Siya met the demon’s stare. Similar to the time before, the energy connected with the demon inside her, coaxing and prodding it to come out. She could see her reflection in the oily stare, but in the depths behind the mirror writhed something sinister. Apep, the Lord of Darkness was watching her through the eyes of the siravant.

  A sudden rush of power filled her. She gripped the chains above her head, twisted and snared her legs around the siravant’s neck. The demon’s eyes widened in surprise and a choked scream escaped its black lips. The snap of bones and cartilage filled the room. Siya ignored the gush of blood from her wrists in favor of snuffing the demon. The siravant thrashed against her legs in a failed struggle to expel itself from the body.

  The other siravants stepped clear of the violence and looked towards their master. “Will you not stop her,” one of them asked.

  “Why should I,” Menthu said without looking. “It was stupid enough to get close. Maybe that will serve as a lesson for the rest of you.”

  Siya’s breath burned in her lungs, and her strength faded as quickly as it had come. Only when the eyes paled did she release the siravant. The body crumpled to the ground. Black oily blood flowed from the mouth. The siravants stepped away from the pool spreading on the floor.

  “Restrain her legs, unless another one of you has a death wish.”

  Siya gasped as the shackles cinched tighter on her ankles. A fresh dose of venom flowed through her veins. A yellow fog filled her mind and her head hung forward. A bitter scent jerked her back to consciousness. Her father gripped her hair and lifted her head to meet his gaze.

  “I admire your tenacity. Soon we will put your skill to good use. No one will stop us. Even the Underworld will bow to our forces.”

  Siya lurched back. “You might as well feed me to the siravants because first chance I get I will kill you.”

  “Spoken like a true warrior,” he said with a laugh. “I have someone who wants to meet you.” He looked over his shoulder to the doorway.

  Once with beauty to rival her mother’s, Nebt now stood with black skin and red rimmed pupils. Festering wounds on her forearms oozed black oily blood. In Nebt’s hands, she clutched the black demotic text.

  “It is nice to finally meet you, Sekhmet. Your father has told me so much about you. We will get to know each other intimately,” Nebt said with a smile, her fingers tracing the gold hieroglyphics on the black page.

  Siya exhaled a breath, her hope faltering.

  Death could not come soon enough.

  Chapter Forty

  Each step jolted sharp pains up Bomani’s legs, but damn if would he have the guardians carry him to the prison. He would go on his own accord no matter the amount of pain or blood trail he left along the sandstone.

  Males he had once commanded stared at him in contempt. As he suspected, he no longer belonged here. Nor was he welcomed and that was fine with him. Problem was, he needed to get back to the human realm and save Siya. She did not have long. Although he was concerned about Menthu, he feared Nebt.

  He stared at the shackles bound about his wrists. How many had he placed on others? Far too many to count. The barbs dug in precision points on the wrist. The more the captive struggled, the deeper the penetration into the skin, releasing more venom. If he remained still he would be less affected by the poison, preserving his ability to dematerialize.

  Flanked by the wall of muscle he rounded the corner, but slowed when he saw Kit, the middle Carrigan sister. Dark circles rimmed her normally bright blue eyes as if she had not slept in weeks. Her black leather uniform emphasized the paleness of her skin. She leaned against the wall and twirled one of the blades from her belt. He scanned the hallway, looking for his uncle. Kamen was tasked to protect the black haired beauty.

  Bomani stared at the floor, unable to muster the courage to look her in the eyes. She pushed off the wall and fell in step with the group. He had no words to make up for hurting her sister. Not waiting around for Kit to lay into him, he forged down the steps of the dungeon, despite the bone rattling pain. His pants stuck to the fresh blood on his legs.

  By the time he reached the cell, Bomani feared his legs would crumble beneath him. He received a hard shove from behind, which sent him stumbling through the iron gate. The lead guardian slammed the door with a resounding clang that pierced his ears.

  He turned and raised his wrist, still bound in shackles. “You are not going to remove these?” Bomani said, looking around the cell designed to contain even the strongest of gods.

  “Key is on the bench. Unlock them yourself.” The male smiled and left him to his isolation.

  Bomani waited for the last of the four to be out of sight before collapsing down on the small bench. Nausea rolled through his gut. He leaned his head back onto the cold black stone. His warrior-half was not strong enough to regenerate. He had been stupid not to allow his powers to do the job for him. Siya was right, he was thinking like a warrior and not a god.

  See it and take it, she had said.

  Looking around the damp black prison, he had few options. Focusing on healing his wounds, he searched for that dark place. After millenniums of suppressing his god’s will, it was like a skeleton key in a rust encrusted lock.

  Sharp daggers ricocheted in his soul until it burst. An inferno shot through a network of arteries in his body. He grabbed his chest, fearing it would explode. It was now or never.

  Bomani loosened his control and let the god’s will take hold of him. Inside the threads of his powers, Siya’s essence consumed his body. Her hold on him spread far greater than his soul. He fell forward on the floor, wincing as the shackles bit into his wrists. Sweat dripped from his brow. Healing power infused his lower extremities, spiking his pain.

  He rolled onto his back, no longer able to support his weight. Finally, his agony faded. Steam rose from his body in the cold cell. He jerked his wrists apart, ignoring the burn of the venom. The shackles snapped and fell onto his chest. He lay a moment gathering his wits and registering the change in his body.

  Grabbing onto the jagged rocks, he pulled himself to his feet. Weakness filtered through him, but his legs were solid. His senses hyperactive. Voices that had been distant now seemed clearer. Energy bounced off the walls of the cell and penetrated his skin. He experienced a new awareness of the proximity and temperature of the objects around him, even the subtle changes in air currents.

  Shit, he should have done this a lot sooner and saved himself the pain. He blew out a breath. The back of his neck prickled with pins and needles. He did not need to turn to see who it was.

  “After all this time, you finally open yourself up.”

  “Never expected to see you again,” Bomani said and straightened to face his brother through the bars.

  “That is what we do, isn’t it brother? Push each other away as we always have.”

  True.

  Bomani never could stand to be in the same room with his brother. Polar opposites, like repelling magnets both determined to win. Bomani had always been the victor on honor and will alone, until Kendra.

  After losing her to Bakari everything changed. Bomani was the outsider. The monster. Bomani thought he loved Kendra, but since meeting Siya it made his affection for the demi-god seem like some prepubescent infatuation.

  Bomani shook his head. The Goddess of War had connected with him in a way that made him crazy, disoriented and impulsive. Willing to give up everything to find her. His life, if necessary.

  Shit, he hated being wrong.
Bomani stepped towards the metal bars. “We have perfected it, it seems.”

  “Fucking perfectionists.”

  Bomani huffed in agreement. A lifetime at odds. A rivalry from the day of their birth, each hating the other. For what? Jealousy and greed. Even now it was hard to face Bakari without anger welling up, but his brother had changed and regained his honor.

  “Kendra chose the better male,” Bomani conceded.

  “I am not sure better, just destined.”

  Bomani was surprised by his brother’s humility, a quality lacking prior to Bakari’s kidnapping. Oddly, Bomani understood what he meant.

  Prior to the Carrigan sisters’ arrival to the Underworld, Bomani started questioning his bachelorhood. Warriors should not want a companion, a female to bond and share life. Yet, it consumed his thoughts. He had thought the demi-gods had been a sign of some kind and mistakenly assumed it was Kendra.

  Fate had brought Bomani to Siya as if it was written or spoken in the past. Even though they bonded by accident and their own mutual lust, they had found each other. Siya certainly deserved someone better than he.

  “Things are good? Kendra is okay?” Bomani asked, remembering the mortal wound.

  “She is stronger than I am, especially when it comes to getting over the past.”

  Bomani met his brother’s haunted gaze. Tortured, starved and entombed, Bakari must have nightmares to match the darkness of his eyes. It dawned on Bomani that maybe Kendra was the catalyst for much more. Salvation and reconciliation.

  Why now was everything so clear? Even his feelings for Siya. Sadly, Bomani had not told her.

  “Tell her I am sorry,” Bomani said.

  “I will let her know.”

  A long silence settled between them.

  “Listen, I have something to ask you about Sekhmet.”

  “Is that how it is?” Bomani frowned. His brother did not descend into the dungeon to resolve their issues. He wanted gods' damn information.

  “Please do not take it the wrong way. I was wrong to get angry with you before. Things are very on edge right now.” Bakari held up his hands.

  Bomani stepped back from the bars. He had fallen for Bakari’s sincerity. Damn if he was going to give his brother any ammunition against Siya.

  Bakari rubbed a hand on his skull trimmed hair. “Kendra sent me to talk to you for several reasons. I want things to be better between us, but I also need information.”

  “If you think I am going to offer Siya up so you can be the hero, you are fucking high.”

  “Kendra wanted me to ask you about this symbol. She thinks you might know what it means.”

  Silver glinted in the corner of Bomani’s eyes. His brother held out a blade. Not just any ordinary blade, Siya’s saber. “Where did you get that?” Bomani growled and advanced towards the cell door. He jabbed his hand through the bars. Sparks of energy burst and burned through his hands. Shaking it off, Bomani forced himself to relax. His anger would only serve to extinguish any opportunity to save Siya.

  Bakari balanced the saber in his palms. “The youngling, named Dennu, brought this and the Book of Creation under Sekhmet’s instructions. Dennu was given specific orders to give it to the demi-gods. Do you know why Sekhmet would do this?”

  “No. I did not even know she had the book. I suppose Siya wanted to keep it safe.”

  “And the saber?”

  “Khalfani gave it to Siya during the ancient war. She would never give it up unless—” Bomani could not speak the words.

  “The symbol Kendra is interested in is here.” Bakari rubbed the hourglass figure on the handle. “Did Sekhmet ever tell you what it meant?”

  “No,” Bomani said on a sigh. “I have few of Khalfani’s memories. He made the blade and tattooed the same symbol on the inside of her wrist. I had assumed it was because she was born of both bloods. Light and dark.”

  “Sekhmet was marked?” Bakari’s eyes widened. “With the same symbol?”

  Bomani looked his brother in the eye. “Yes. Why?”

  His brother backed away from the cell. “Sorry, brother. I need to leave.”

  Bomani grabbed the cell door and shook it. Sparks and overwhelming pain drove him back. “Bakari!”

  Chapter Forty-One

  “She is not breaking,” the siravant said, returning the barb laden whip to the wooden table.

  “She does not fear you,” Nebt said, tucking her arms into her long black robe.

  “Everyone fears us,” the siravant said and paced in front of where Siya hung.

  Siya spit the sour taste of venom from her mouth. The fabric of her shirt clung to her blood soaked skin. The cold air at least numbed the fresh jagged wounds. At the start of the flogging Siya feared she would black out again, but then a strange sensation washed over her. A renewed strength of sorts. Her heart rate slowed, her body cooled and the pain in her wrists and shoulders receded to a bearable ache.

  Her body changed on an elemental level. Why?

  Without raising her head, she scanned her surroundings. The black demotic text sat on the table next to the instruments they had been using on her throughout the last twenty-four hours. At least she assumed that much time had passed, it was difficult to track when she went in and out of consciousness.

  “Apparently you and the previous demon she killed were misinformed,” Nebt said with a sneer.

  Nebt shifted silently forward, floating across the blood slick cement. The Underworld goddess’ foul breath brushed against Siya’s face, and she turned away.

  “I give you points for effort, but we both know how this will end,” Nebt hissed.

  Siya stared at the Underworld goddess. “Why did you do it? Betray your family. Your husband.”

  “So pious, you are. Self-righteous.” Nebt raked her fingers against Siya’s lip and brought her bloody fingertip to her mouth. “Why do you stay when no one loves or needs you?”

  Siya opened her mouth, but Nebt clamped her palm over her lips. “Do not speak, for I already know.” Nebt leaned into Siya’s ear and ran her tongue over it. “I know all your fears, Sekhmet. Or shall I call you, Siya? Do you think changing your name will erase the blood on your hands and in your soul? No amount of good deeds will change the blackness in your heart.”

  Siya swallowed, hating she could not hide from Nebt’s probing gift to read souls. The goddess had yet to say something about Bomani’s mark even though she had to have sensed it when she touched Siya’s skin.

  “You are alone, Siya. No one will come and save you. Your fears will become reality.” Nebt released her and walked over to the table. “I think you were looking for this.” She raised the black spell book.

  Siya’s heart thumped in her chest, louder and harder with each step Nebt took forward.

  Nebt flipped through the book and stopped at a page of significance, as evidenced by the sneer on her face. “Siya and I know there is only one thing I can take from her. The one thing she is willing to fight and resist us so valiantly for.”

  “No!” Siya thrashed against the chains restraining her wrists and feet.

  “Why? You never wanted it.” Nebt ripped open Siya’s outer shirt, leaving only the thin tank top. “I am here to grant your wish.”

  Siya retracted from Nebt, but there was nowhere to go. Helpless, Siya could only suffer while Nebt traced Bomani’s mark with her sharp fingernail. Siya choked on a sob.

  “No one wants to die alone. Certainly not you.” Nebt smiled and dug her claws into Siya’s chest. “Shall we read the verse together?” She grinned wickedly and began to read the first line of the demotic spell.

  Siya tipped her head back and screamed.

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Bomani bolted upright. Dagger-like pain seared through his heart. He stumbled and rammed his shoulder into the jagged rocks of the cell wall.

  “Siya.” He grabbed his chest. The next wave dropped him to his knees.

  “What in duat is wrong with him now?” a guardian asked the other. />
  “Fuck if I know. Hard to believe he was Commander of our legion. Look at him,” the other replied with a shake of his head.

  “Get Bakari down here now,” Bomani growled at the two males.

  Two additional guards arrived. The leader barely gave him a glance. “That will not be necessary. Time to go, boys. Enjoy your time off.” He slapped them on the shoulders as they passed him.

  Bomani squinted. He recognized the new arrivals. Both were in Bakari’s platoon. Sin and—shit, what was the warrior’s name?

  Sin crossed his arms over his chest and watched the warriors depart. The other stood by the far entrance, waited a few minutes and then nodded.

  Sin lurched forward and unlocked the door. “Time to go.”

  Bomani cursed. He was in no condition to fight off Bakari’s beat down party. Sin hooked his arm under Bomani’s, pulled him to his feet and hustled him out the door.

  “What is going on?” Bomani hissed through clenched teeth.

  Ignoring his question, Sin pushed Bomani forward through a restricted door leading to a hidden hallway underneath the palace. Before opening the next barrier, Sin turned to the second warrior. “Secure the cell. No one else passes the primary door.” The warrior nodded and jogged back the way they came. Sin unlocked and pushed open the iron gate. “After you.”

  Bomani stepped into a circular cavern that served as the secret underground bunker. A large map table filled the center of the room. Based on the level of dust covering the surface, this place had not been opened in millenniums. “What am I doing here?”

  “You’ll find out soon enough,” Sin said and leaned against the wall.

  “Great.” Bomani stared at the door on the other side of the room. His neck prickled with uneasiness.

  Bakari entered the arched doorway dressed in full battle gear. He tossed a chest plate and harness across the table to Bomani. “Put it on.”

  “Why?” Bomani asked with a hard edge of suspicion. He did not trust his brother not to have an ulterior motive.