by Jean Murray
Siya turned to look at him as well. “What do you mean?”
Bomani had been so consumed with ensuring Siya’s well-being, the other two lives in his chest were no more than an afterthought.
Asar placed his palm over Bomani’s legion brand. His father’s eyes widened. “Isis, Bomani.”
“It happened when I killed a siravant.” Bomani remembered drawing the surrounding energy in the last efforts to overpower his foe. The sudden surge of power had overwhelmed him, but in the heat of battle he did not have time to focus on the energy.
“My gods, you captured their souls?” Siya reached for him.
“This may help your cause with the Council, but you will still need to answer to me,” Asar said with a stern look.
Bomani exhaled a heavy breath. He would take anything at this point. “Just tell me what I need to do.”
“We all make mistakes, son. Trust me when I say it is your actions after those mistakes that matter. I hope you never know the fear as I did, when you left.”
“I have no excuses to give. I am sorry, father.” Bomani hung his head. Gods, he had made such a mess of things.
“Have I asked too much?”
“No, never.” Nothing Bomani was not willing to give. His eyes came to rest on Siya. He just wanted more.
Asar followed his gaze. “Your future is yours, Bomani. I only ask you be a better father than I and learn from your mistakes.”
“I would not want my life any different.” Bomani glanced at his brother. “If not for family, I would have never saved Siya.”
“Perhaps miracles do exist if you and Bakari are getting along.” Asar shook his head. “Release them. We will talk later about your penance, Bomani. In the meantime, we have two souls to deliver to the Creation Pantheon.”
The shackles clattered to the ground and Siya threw her arms around him. “Thank you, Bomani.”
Bomani hugged her back. He could not ask for more than this.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Bomani blurted out a whistle. A moment passed before the sound of thundering hooves carried down the beach. Execution’s black mane and tail unfurled with the long graceful strides of the steed. The horse rocketed down the beach, sand and water kicking up into the air.
With bridle and saddle in hand Bomani raised his arms in greeting. The horse slowed and circled him with its chin tucked and neck and tail arched.
“Siya is not with me today.” Bomani set the saddle down on the log and offered Execution an apple.
The horse knocked the large red treat into the sand and snorted a retort.
“Sorry, you have to deal with me.” Bomani raised the bridle again. “I think you will like what I have to offer.”
Execution’s ears flicked forward.
“A god, you are familiar with.” Bomani rubbed the location of the previous injury.
Smoke curled out of the edges of the steed’s black nostrils and his eyes flared a bright red. Execution lowered his head.
“I thought so.” Bomani slipped the bit into the horse’s mouth and pulled the bridle up over its ears. Much to Bomani’s surprise, the horse accepted the saddle after weeks of freedom. The true test would be whether Execution would accept Bomani as his rider. Bomani took a moment to admire the beast. The thick broad muscles flexed under the shiny black coat. The strong legs would easily support Bomani’s weight.
He grabbed the saddle to mount the horse. Execution sidestepped and broke his grasp. “Easy boy. I would not ask this of you, but we have Siya and our baby to protect. As long as Theris is out there, they are not safe.”
The horse stilled, allowing Bomani to hoist himself up into the seat. He pulled the reins to the left and Execution conceded to his commands. From the elevated vantage point, he could see and assess the entire beach.
“Let us take this slow.” He nudged Execution’s flanks with his heels.
Execution whinnied and bolted forward. Bomani jerked back in the saddle barely keeping a hold of the reins. Quickly righting himself, he leaned forward and adjusted to the rhythm of Execution’s cadence.
“Maybe there is no slow with you.” He laughed. After several runs down the beach, he pulled Execution to a stop and patted the horse’s neck.
“Ready?”
He pulled their energy inward and shifted them to the human realm. Black charred remnants of the warehouse splayed out before them. Not much had changed since he was pulled from the rubble. He circled around the destruction. Execution’s hooves clacked on the wooden dock. The light scent of Creation blood still circulated on the air currents along with the putrid smell of siravants.
Bakari appeared farther down the dock. Execution’s ears lay back against his head.
“Do not worry, he is a friend.” Bomani nodded his greeting to his brother.
Bakari walked towards him. His brother’s daggers were sheathed in his chest holster. “Too much time has passed. Nothing is left of Theris’ trail.”
“What do you think, Ex? Think you can find him?” Bomani loosened the reins, leaving the steed unencumbered.
The horse snorted several times, his ears flicking right and left.
From a walk to a canter Execution steered them away from the docks and forced them into the suburbs. On the open street Execution’s powerful legs propelled him over fence lines and cars. Vehicle alarms wailed into the night set off by the thunder of hooves on the pavement.
Despite the lack of stealth, he urged the steed onward to their only lead. Not willing to lose this opportunity again, Bomani would ensure Theris would be on his knees begging before the sun reclaimed the sky.
Execution surged into a gallop. Large green refuge trucks blurred in Bomani’s peripheral vision. Large security gates awaited ahead. The horse launched over the twelve foot chain link fence. His back hoof clipped the barb wire and pulled the sharp metal links. Tethered by the left foot, Execution staggered on the landing.
Bomani slipped out of the saddle and pushed Execution back to relieve the tension. Blood coated the spat above the hoof. The wounds appeared only superficial. Snapping the wires, Bomani freed the horse.
He looked around the enormous junkyard. A chorus of howls and barks announced the charge of four large black and tan dogs. A heavy pressure filled the air around them, announcing Bakari’s arrival.
His brother stepped in front of Bomani and Execution and intercepted the canines. All four cowered on their haunches at Bakari’s feet. His brother grabbed the first dog by the lower jaw and turned the animal’s head. The fur around the face and neck had been singed and red burn marks marred the skin.
“Suffice to say, I think we have found our mark.” Bakari stood and unsheathed the Mevt daggers.
“Good boy, we will take it from here.” Bomani rubbed Execution’s nose and turned to walk with Bakari down the center road. Cars stacked high on both sides created a funnel into the heart of the yard. In its center sat a rusted out trailer. Bomani sensed no human energy. Several scorch marks and piles of ash were all that remained of the owner. The dogs whimpered and sniffed the ground around their feet.
“Think he will run?” Bakari asked, his gaze searching the aisles of metal and discarded vehicle parts.
“He has nowhere to go, not with Menthu out there.” Bomani scowled, realizing Siya would not be truly safe until both were dead. The bombing at the bunker only delayed her father’s plans. If Menthu survived being impaled with the Mevt dagger, he would endure the piles of concrete left behind by the missiles. Not to mention, Nebt had the powers of the Underworld on her side. She knew death too well to succumb to it. Until then, Bomani would gladly start at the bottom of the most wanted list and work his way up.
“I will be around, if you need me.” Bakari whistled for the dogs to follow and jogged down another row. “If I am lucky, I will flush Theris out.”
Still stunned how things had changed between them, Bomani stared after his brother. He had expected to feel at least some trepidation, but Bakari had not failed h
im. Not when he needed help the most. His father was always talking about the journey to enlightenment. Perhaps, Bomani had finally found his path. He just never figured Bakari would be such a significant part of it, like Siya and even Kendra. Now, an innocent life echoed through his bond with Siya, stirring a level of devotion and love he never thought possible.
Everything worth protecting.
Bomani walked to the center yard and stooped before the ash. He prayed the man would find his way to the Afterlife but knew Apep would be waiting for the human, like all the dead before him.
The scent of Creation energy was stronger above the ash. Enough, Bomani dematerialized and followed the scent trail. Mere mist in the darkness, he traveled undetected among the junk and trash. He accelerated as the scent grew stronger. Theris had started several fires, which Bomani drifted through unscathed. His ability to absorb energy had grown since he released his powers. With Siya’s help he embraced his deity blood to the extent he had gained full control.
At the point Theris’ scent saturated the air Bomani rematerialized and sprinted down the aisle. Cargo containers stacked three high created a perimeter fence. The shape of the yard reminded him of a colosseum.
“Did you think you can hide from me?” Bomani yelled, sensing Theris lurking among the metal boxes.
Heat rolled down from the upper level and filled the dirt lot. Theris dropped down with wisps of fire preceding him and ran out the closest exit.
Bomani pursued unencumbered by the heat, his combat boots chewing up the ground between them. He dodged balls of fire and charged through flaming wreckage. A blur of black suddenly flashed in the corner of his eye a millisecond before Execution slammed into Theris and sent him sailing into a wall of stacked cars. The tower teetered and then toppled onto the god. Execution reared up and came down on the pile with his hooves. Flames exploded beneath the wreckage and engulfed the horse.
“Execution!” Bomani leapt into the flames and absorbed the energy of the inferno. He tackled Theris as the god attempted to escape. Bomani slammed his fist into Theris’ face until blood soaked his knuckles.
Theris flopped back and laughed, his blue eyes wild. Blood coated his bright white teeth. “Piece of shit horse.”
The horse lay on the ground, but then rolled up to stand. His once long mane was singed and brittle. Several areas of his muzzle and chest were burnt, but otherwise he appeared battle ready.
Bomani snatched Theris by the throat and yanked him to his feet. “We were not quite finished with our discussion.” Heat curled around Bomani’s hand as the god threatened to erupt into flames. “Not going to happen again.” Bomani drew in the energy around them, starving Theris of the elements he needed to manifest his power.
Theris thrust his arms up to break Bomani’s hold to no avail. “You are just a—” The god’s eyes widened, panic amplifying his already manic state.
“Warrior? Right now, I am your worst nightmare unless you start talking.”
“I do not know where he is,” Theris said, suddenly still. Fear rolled off in sour waves.
“Good thing because Menthu would rip you apart piece by piece, but you already know don’t you, otherwise you would not be hiding out in this junkyard.” Although Bomani wanted Menthu’s location there was more important intel he needed from the god. “I want to know who on the council is working with Menthu?”
Theris shook his head. “I do not know.”
“Bullshit, you said in the warehouse he had gotten to someone. Is it Bast?”
“Bast is not worthy.”
“Then whom?”
Theris’ jaw tightened. “I do not know. Menthu never tells me shit.”
“Then I think he is out lived his worth,” Asar said, stepping into the dim light, followed by Bakari and Kamen.
Theris trembled within Bomani’s grasp and the smell of urine filled the space. “As you can see, Menthu is the least of your worries.” Bomani shoved Theris to his knees.
“You have been found guilty of murder and treason against the Pantheon, punishable by death,” Asar declared.
“I demand a trial.”
Asar smirked. “You have been misinformed, Creation. I can exercise my full rights as I see fit. I am your judge, jury and executioner.”
“Have mercy.”
“I will show you the same mercy as you had for Khalfani.” Asar glowered down at the male.
Bomani grabbed the back of Theris’ neck “Who on the Council is working for Menthu?”
Bakari unsheathed the Mevt dagger from his holster and twirled the blade in his hand. Theris had no escape. Death had found him.
“The Chancellor.”
“Thoth?” Bomani turned to his father. He knew of the male as he was one of the divine judges. Scribe to the word of Ra and author of the three sacred books. A waif of a god. Either way, the Chancellor had enough power to influence and direct the course of the Pantheon and open the gates for Apep’s slaughter.
“What is Menthu’s next move?”
“Once the younglings mature, he will take down the Council.”
“Younglings, how many?” Bomani tightened his grip. His thoughts veered to the youngling that stabbed him. How many more had been turned?
“Ten.”
“He is lying,” Kamen growled and stepped closer to the doomed god.
Bomani cringed, knowing it could be untold numbers of them.
“Your soul is unworthy, Theris. You shall not pass through the gates but be cast off soulless with the rest of the fallen,” Asar said with his hand hovering over the god’s heart.
“Tell Apep we are coming for him.” Bakari slammed the dagger to the hilt in Theris’ left chest.
The god arched back as the dagger’s spell and double blade tore his soul in half. The glow dimmed in his eyes as his powers and immortality faded. When the task was complete, Bakari pulled the crimson stained blade free.
Theris remained on his knees. Alive, but mortal. Well aware of what was to come, Bomani released the god and followed Bakari to where Execution stood. Asar slapped Kamen on the shoulder. “Make sure he remembers every last bit of his life.”
As the Devourer, Kamen finished Asar’s sentence. Theris would be cast out to Duat, his soul consumed until nothing, not even a glint of his previous powers, remained. Never to be reborn. Never to harm anyone again. A message to Apep, the Underworlders were waiting for him.
Bomani glanced one last time at Theris. Justice in Khalfani’s memory had been served and Siya’s honor redeemed. But Bomani would not rest until Menthu and Nebt paid for what they had done to his mate as well. With blood in his veins and power in his soul, Bomani would protect all that threatened his family.
Execution greeted Bomani with a snort and a stomp. He was grateful for the beast. “He will not hurt you again.” Bomani rubbed Execution’s neck.
“Fine stallion,” Asar said.
“Yes, he is.” Bomani patted Execution’s flank. “Perhaps we can bring him to the stables in Aaru.”
“Might as well.” Asar laid his hand on Execution’s neck. The horse leaned into his father’s touch.
“I am indebted to you, Sire,” Bomani said with a bow.
“You have fulfilled what I have asked of you,” Asar said and squeezed Bomani’s arm. “You only need ask for my help.”
“I know and now I must ask for your understanding.” Bomani’s gaze gravitated to his brother. “I will not be returning to the legion. Once Siya delivers we will be returning to the human realm. The younglings cannot stay in the Underworld forever, and there are so many more to find.”
Asar frowned. “You do not want to stay with your family?”
“I do not mean any disrespect and hope to return frequently, but my place is with her and our child.”
“Your place is with me, your brother and uncle. We have lost too many in this war. I will not lose you too.”
Bomani met his father’s intense gaze. “We will not win this war without the younglings. Their limits
need to be tested. Siya and I can train them to be an asset in the fight. And if Menthu is using them, we need to move faster and harder. He already has Nebt on his side and now Thoth.”
Asar looked to Bakari. “And you have nothing to say about this?”
“Kendra and I would like to help with the younglings.”
Asar bit out a ripe curse. “Of all times I want you two to disagree, you are in cahoots. What about the legion?”
“With your permission, I will remain in Command and conduct patrols in the human realm.”
“Isis, what you are asking is impossible. The Council barely cleared enough votes to exonerate Bomani and Siya.”
Bomani stepped forward. “We are asking for your consideration. You created me to be more than a warrior. Let me prove that to you.”
“You have already proven yourself.”
“Then let me prove it to myself.”
Asar exhaled a long cold breath and glanced from Bomani to Bakari. “For blood and honor,” he held out his hand.
Bomani grasped his father’s forearm and squeezed in the traditional warrior handshake. Bakari joined them. “For blood and honor.”
Chapter Forty-Eight
Siya clamped her hand over her abdomen to silence the pride of lions roaring in her stomach. Any louder and she would wake the entire palace. Bomani had already been to the kitchen twice before he left with Bakari. She stretched her hand out to Bomani’s side of the bed, hating that the sheets were cold and empty.
She rolled off the bed, threw on a pair of linen pants and shirt. Another grumble broke the silence of the room. She covered her belly bump with her palm.
“Be patient,” she soothed and headed towards the door. It had only been a few months and already her stomach was protruding with the growing baby in her womb. Soon, she would be wearing Bomani’s pants.
Not wanting to think about the changes in her center of gravity, she stepped out into the hallway. The line of six guardians, three on each side, stepped in cadence. “How’s it going?” she said, sensing the awkwardness. She had turned into a type of celebrity since the news of the baby spread through the realm. The first warrior offspring.