Together, they enveloped all the jars in their clothing and arms. Some smashed against the floor, the souls wafting like ash caught on a breeze. Khuket paused, their malevolence attracting the darkness inside of her. She watched them flash away and followed a second before their trail disappeared.
Like stepping into another room, Khuket left one dimension and entered the next. A dark, cold place illuminated by a sliver of moonlight. She had traded one cell, for another.
“It’s a factory, Goddess.” Neith followed behind. “Abandoned a long time ago.”
The word had no meaning for her. “You know of this world?”
“Yes, Goddess. Anubis didn't want all of us ignorant. The nulls are his only companions in Chemmis.”
Her slave had value. She studied the woman with new appreciation. “Is he as incompetent as his father believes?”
“I don’t know things of that nature, Goddess.” Neith stared vacantly into the darkness.
She lied, but Khuket understood the slave’s loyalty to her master, even if Anubis was no longer that person. Something scraped and dripped behind them, then lumbered their way. The null looked at her for guidance and protection. A long time had passed since Khuket had protected another being. She wasn’t the only one left who remembered the war and her failure. But this was a new world, a different earth, and she had a new chance at victory.
She swept into the sweet darkness, unafraid. The dark held no mystery and kept no secrets from her. Pits lined the floor of the room protected by the same barriers that had guarded the jars in the Underworld. At the edge of a pit, three beasts waited.
Her breath caught, delighted at their magnificence. Swirling around their hulking forms, she had no words to describe them. Thin, black chaos threads ebbed and flowed around their huge bodies. Khuket drew closer and peered into their dim souls. The essences from the shattered jars dwelled inside them. This is where they had led her.
Together, the beasts sank to their knees. She glanced into the pit. More of their brethren lay dormant at the bottom. She had an army. And secreted in the folds of her gown were the rest of the jars, and the way to activate them.
Glee bubbled within her belly, raced up her throat, and burst from her mouth as pure laughter. A sound so foreign to her ears, for a moment she failed to realize the joy emanating from her. Sinking to her knees, Khuket thanked the cosmos for their divine providence.
“They are called quimaera, but Anubis only named the first. He called him Alamut.” Neith stood next to her. “He placed their bodies in Alamut’s care to hide them from SET.”
“Why didn't Anubis bond with them?” Khuket asked.
“He’s a coward. He wants his father defeated but doesn’t want to be the one who wields the sword.”
Khuket’s lips twitched. It seemed Neith had made a choice. Better to have a willing slave. She stepped closer and placed her hands on the quimaera’s bowed heads. Nothing but anger filled them. The rest of their souls were empty vessels awaiting instruction.
Again, she tapped into SET’s vis’Ra, enveloped them, and shifted their chaotic patterns to match her own. She restored them to the state they once inhabited. Men. And gave them their first set of instructions.
Her limbs trembled. She had used much of SET's donation. Still, nothing would sway her from this path. She stiffened her resolve and gave the order.
“Find for me Nephythys’s lover.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Reign caged his emotions to keep from burying his fists in the nearest wall. Fury pulsed from him in cold waves, which left Alexis shivering in the elevator next to him. She wanted to cage him. Visions of Nephythys and two thousand years of her special torture clouded his mind. Once more, he tried to leave only to return to Alexis’s side more enraged than before.
She rejected his protection, aimed her weapon at his heart, and demanded he comply with her wishes. Two women, realms apart, yet the goddess and Alexis had more in common than he first guessed. Or maybe it was something he brought out in women that made them want to enslave him. He couldn’t be around Alexis without wanting to wrap his hands around her neck.
Alexis walked into her apartment and entered her bedroom. He was grateful she was out of his sight. The Vanquished gnawed at him.
You hide from a woman, they mocked, and he couldn’t deny the truth in their collective words. The few days here in this realm had offered plenty of opportunities to show himself and enlist her help to find his brother. Instead, he stayed away, wasting time.
His jaw clenched and he ground his teeth. No longer.
Reign passed through her bedroom door, but she wasn’t there. The steady beat of water striking tile guided him to another door. He jerked to a halt, unable to look away.
She was naked. Gloriously. Her creamy skin glowed.
Heavy breasts with pink pert nipples balanced on top of a delicate rib cage that narrowed to her waist then flared into curvaceous hips and a tight rear. Between impossibly long legs, a strip of reddish curls shielded her core. Transfixed, blood drained from his head and rushed south. He knew she would be beautiful, but never guessed she hid this perfection under her clothing.
Alexis shivered, wrapped her arms around herself, and glanced up at the slotted metal grate in her ceiling. She sighed and disappeared behind a glass stall. Tethered by lust, he followed.
Then lurched to a stop.
Reign forced his eyes closed. And though everything in him wanted to step further into the room, he pivoted and returned to the bedroom.
He listened to a door open and close. The water pattern changed from splattering against tile to the wet slap of droplets on skin. He imagined caressing her slick limbs, swiping her soaked hair to the side and tasting the curve of her neck.
What would he give to be in that room with her? Nothing. A pent-up groan eased from him. She wasn’t his to have. For a moment, he wished he were like Roman. No reserve. No conscience to oppose his desires. Taking what he wanted regardless of the consequences.
The water ceased, drawing him from his ruminations. The click of a door opening almost had his neck craning for a peek. Slapping feet warned of her approach. Once again, he turned away, listening as she crossed from the bathroom to the carpeted bedroom.
He had to leave or what little honor he had would vanish in a torrent of need. Just before he left, he caught a glimpse of her. A towel shielded her body while her hair cascaded in orange flames down her back. His limbs leaden. The ache caged in his pants barred rational thought. Reign nearly collapsed against the wall on the other side of her bedroom. Battle was easier than fighting this unwanted desire.
A knock on the front door snapped his attention away from his cock.
“Just a minute,” she called and dashed into the living room dressed in a clingy robe. Wary, he followed. He didn’t like how she squinted through the spy hole in the door, and then paused before reluctantly opening it.
“Hey.” Paul, the bastard who handcuffed and shoved him into the police car, leaned against the door frame. His gaze landed on her breasts covered in the silky fabric.
A predatory growl rumbled through him and his palms itched for the man’s blood.
“What are you doing here?” she asked. Her eyebrows furrowed and her mouth was agape.
“Can’t say I was in the neighborhood.” He gave a dry chuckle. “But after the other night, I thought I’d check on you.”
Revulsion washed over her face, though that didn’t stop her from stepping to the side and granting him entry.
“Did I interrupt you?” He grinned, and Reign fought the urge to plant his fist between the cop’s eyes. “Damn. You keep it cold in here.”
“Uhm, yeah. The air conditioner isn’t working properly. Want something to drink?” She led the way to another room with Paul trailing after her, and Reign trailing Paul.
“Yeah, any beer?” He scanned the room.
She opened a small metal door and tossed him a bottle.
“You still have my
favorite,” he smiled a wide toothy grin Reign wanted to rearrange.
“Excuse me? I introduced you to microbrew.” Head cocked to the side with one eyebrow lifted, she folded her arms tightly under her breasts, which enhanced their voluptuousness.
“You introduced me to lots of things,” Paul said in a husky voice. Her entire face turned rosy and her chin dipped to her chest. “I’ve missed you.” He stepped closer to Alexis.
And death.
“Not enough to call though?” Alexis shrugged. Her lips thinned in a grimace.
“I wanted to, started to a few times.” Paul rubbed the back of his neck. His eyes pleaded for understanding.
“What got in your way?” She smirked and leaned against the counter. Her hand played with the belt of her robe.
Reign’s gut clenched. If she opened it—
“My stupidity.” He took a swig of beer.
“And my gold shield?” Her eyes had narrowed.
Paul sputtered. He backhanded the beer trickling down his chin before it landed on his shirt.
“So how do you like New City?” She continued.
“It’s a good department. Not as busy as NYPD, but okay.” He gave her a slow once-over and lingered a second too long on her breasts.
Reign’s blood boiled.
“Listen. I apologize for everything. Like I said, I was stupid.” His hand landed over his heart.
“Yeah, very.” Her full lips pursed.
He took another step toward her, his grin matched hers. “Did you miss me? Maybe a little?”
She stared at Paul, seeming to drink in his features.
Reign’s heart shouldn’t be racing painfully in his chest. His blade shouldn’t be clutched in his palm. And the Vanquished shouldn’t be ordering him to cleave the man into chunks.
“Yeah, I did…” She sighed.
Rage rolled through Reign. She moved within inches of the man. Her lips pouty. Her eyes molten.
Reign turned away. He’d survived centuries of torture without breaking. This slice of hell he couldn’t handle.
“I got over it,” she whispered.
But Reign heard every word. He spun. The tightness in his chest unfurled.
Alexis walked around Paul and passed through Reign. Her soul brushed his, entwined for a brief moment, but long enough for her emotions to stain him. Betrayal, not love suffused her senses.
“Thanks for checking on me.” Her voice held no emotion as she opened the door.
Paul sauntered to the door and paused at the threshold. “Are you sure you want me to leave? We had some good times together.”
She smiled, yet no warmth reached her eyes. “Yeah, but not enough to take you back. Enjoy the beer.” The door closed behind him.
Bells chimed incessantly from the bedroom. Alexis ran into the room and snatched a device from the table.
“Hello. Yes, I’m Alexis Lever…tomorrow at four at headquarters. Yes. I’ll be there.” She tossed the object onto the table and plopped on the bed. Shoulders slumped, her chin buried in her chest.
That alone was enough to make Reign ache to pull her into his arms and shelter her from the storms battering her life. He’d rather fight a war than see her cry. He crouched in front of her, ready to reach out and lift her face to his. Though she cried over another man, he wanted to comfort her. Her chin shot up and light bathed her features. Her eyes were watery, yet no tears rolled down her cheeks.
Alexis shot to her feet and disappeared into the room containing her wardrobe. Seconds later, she tossed some clothes on her bed and returned nude. Reign froze. Honor demanded he leave. Lust rooted his feet, peeled his eyelids back, and made him watch her fascinating dance.
A flimsy bit of lace glided up her thighs and settled between her legs. A thin strip disappeared between the twin cheeks of her delicious rear. A similar piece of lacy cloth harnessed her breasts. Next, she shimmied into a tight pair of leathers and a half top that left her limbs bare and the juicy globes of her breasts nearly spilling out.
Several hard blinks and he finally tore himself away and returned to the adjacent room. With grim realization, he recognized a new prison caged him. On each side a dilemma: Nephythys, Roman, the Vanquished…and Alexis.
Lost in his predicament, the jangle of keys snapped his head up. Alexis had exited the apartment.
Where in the hell was she off to? From drooling fool to guard dog in an instant, he followed, trying in vain to ignore the swish of her tight ass.
CHAPTER NINE
This was the world long denied her.
Hovering above New York City, Khuket savored all of its wonders. Her Pantheon had ruled a barren, molten lump with only the rudiments of life beginning to germinate. Never had she imagined this was what she would discover when SET released her. The sights. The man-made objects intrigued, but the natural wonders fascinated her, especially the oceans. The calm surety of the tides juxtaposed the rage of a hurricane. The volcanic world she’d left behind had cooled and turned into this. Her eyes couldn’t absorb it all.
She inhaled a deep, intoxicating breath. No longer did sulfur burn her lungs and ashes clog her throat. This world didn’t smell of molten rock. The flora held a rich bouquet of clashing fragrances, which delighted her. Metallic beasts of burden roamed the land and the air, screeching, belching, honking, the noise buffeted her. She became a leaf, tossed about in the chaotic storm this world created. Still, it was better than the silence she had endured.
And the creatures, humans, they were an easy breed to manipulate. Everything they did, thought, touched, created chaos. Ropey strands in a kaleidoscope of colors. A tug, a subtle pluck or added tension on the strand and they danced. Like a kitten with a multicolored ball of yarn, so many choices, so many outcomes, awaited her gentle influence.
As the first dwellers, her people welcomed the Egyptians as equals. Their guests soon became their masters. Ra descended from the heavens with his consort Nu and stole their dark world from them. Now she was bound to SET until she completed her oath. But once she accomplished that duty, she’d be free to reclaim this world and gather her descendants. She would rule this world. Foolish Anubis had provided an army and the means to control that force through the souls residing in the canopic jars. Below her, the first three of her new army waited, their true forms masked beneath a human guise, and her servant, Neith.
Hunger gripped her, gnawed on her soul. Wafting on a gentle current of air, Khuket dove to a rooftop. Her insides twisted, she dropped to her knees. Pain sucked a gasp from her and left her dizzy. She’d nearly depleted the energy she’d siphoned off SET. She hadn’t survived imprisonment and traversed two realms to end up as drifting particles in the stratosphere. She gathered her strength and climbed to her feet. At the edge of the roof, she scanned the immediate area. Plenty of chaos surrounded her. None suitable to digest.
Like a fisherman casting a net, she stretched her senses as far as her waning strength allowed. Less than a mile of rainbow-colored chaos weaves illuminated the night. A shame only she could see it. Each strand had a meaning. The different hues of blue denoted loss. The many hues of red signified pain. Physical pain trended towards the lighter pinks at the end of the spectrum while emotional, the opposite end. Love was a bright red shade while obsession and lust were thick crimson cords.
The weaves blurred and nearly evaporated. Exhaustion nipped at her, causing her form to flicker. Frantic, she searched for that one particular strand that would nourish her. Her gaze swept each quadrant of the city and found nothing. But where one was needed, many would have to do. She needed a gathering, humans congregating in mass numbers. A great battle would be ideal, thousands of humans killing each other. The chaotic energy they generated could be adapted to sustain her.
There. Along the farthest edge of her weave, she found a small cluster. They would have to do.
Ravenous, Khuket pushed off from the roof. The breeze was to the east, in her favor. Good, less energy expended to reach her destination. Beneath her,
three quimaera and Neith followed. She’d ordered them to find Nephythys’s lover, but this world distracted her. A welcome diversion, though she didn’t have the luxury to dawdle. Her freedom waited. After she fixed SET’s marital problems, she’d have all the time to explore and conquer.
She sensed the bodies crammed inside the rectangular building long before spotting the lines of humans snaking outside. Khuket passed through the wall and entered a room. By the densely packed weaves, she expected weapons to be drawn and spilled blood coating the floor. Instead, they moved, pushing, rubbing, sweating, against each other while noise blared from every direction. Next to her, a male and female stroked each other intimately. Their lips locked, but they weren’t ripping each other apart. They melded together, trading fluids, both enjoying the invasion. Bright, silky red strands of chaos flowed.
All around her energy leeched from straining bodies and blended with the other strands. The room filled with sweet and supple power. Rainbow colors shattered and gathered with each throbbing beat, claiming her body in a languid grip. First, her head bobbed from side to side. Then her shoulders dipped, alternating the movements with her head. Finally, her hips swayed, caught in the rhythm surrounding her.
Khuket threw her head back and supped. She drew the delicious strands through every pore until the backwash spilled out of her. Stuffed, her thoughts muddled. Never had she felt like this, sensual and, alive. Her pulse thickened and rose to match the throbbing beat of the noise surrounding her. She swayed, stumbled, regained her footing, and swayed again. Her head swam, lost in the noise and strobe lights.
A man approached. He rubbed his body against her. She pressed back and didn’t protest when his hand grasped her hip and guided her between his legs. He rocked his pelvis into her. A ball of need burst to life in her core. Her limbs turned loose. Not even when hunger seized her in its talons and reduced her to an animal had her wits failed. Now, she couldn’t string more than three words together.
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