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Artificial Light (Evolution of Angels Book 3)

Page 9

by Wall, Nathan


  “No fair—you used your aurascales!” Horus shouted, rubbing the back of his head. “If I had a starstone of my own, I’d cut you to pieces.”

  “But you don’t.” Sobek pressed the ball of his foot onto Horus’ sternum and placed the tip of the staff to his young student’s neck. It shifted back into a sword. “There is nothing fair about your existence. You can’t let it get you angry. You have to rise above the rage, stay collected, and never give up.”

  “That’s easy for you to say.”

  “Is it?” Sobek squinted, his jaw tight. “Despite all this power I have over you, I am still but a speck of dust among the stars. There is always someone more powerful lurking in the shadows. Don’t make it easy for them by defeating yourself—your father taught me that.”

  “A lot of good it did him.” Horus slapped the sword away from his face and crawled backwards. He turned onto his stomach and pushed off the floor. Wiping himself off, he straightened his clothes. “He couldn’t even save his Corner. He was useless. He—”

  “He was outnumbered and alone!” Sobek roared, cutting Horus off. He opened his hands and his weapons vanished into his armor. “There was a time when your father single-handedly defeated a whole brigade of Lucifer’s legion. There were few as capable of wielding the HALOGUARD as he. It was a sight to behold.” Sobek paused and his tone shifted from stern to sincere. “It is because of your father that we have this place and have a chance. One day, when those who followed him are gone, the ones we birthed will look to you for guidance and wisdom. If you could end up being a quarter of what your father was, then I would consider my time with you a success.”

  “I will lead our people home and off this blasted rock,” Horus snarled, turning his back and crossing his arms. “I won’t get myself killed like my father. I’ll be powerful enough to destroy anyone that gets in my way. I could now, if I had a starstone.”

  “There will come a time when none of us have the power of the stars to protect us.” Sobek sighed, shaking his head, visibly frustrated with Horus’s immaturity. “What will you do then? How fair will it be when the power that protects this place—your people—runs out? The energy of our starstones doesn’t last forever, and when they fade so do we. How will you save your people then, Horus? When your mother, the elders and I are no longer here, and you and the other Angel-born, not tethered to the stars, are all that’s left?”

  “I’ll keep fighting!” Horus yelled, spinning around, kicking his foot underneath his sword, lifting it into the air. He grabbed it, smashed the edge into Sobek’s sternum plate, and then swiped his legs under his teacher, bringing Sobek to the floor. The blade stood at attention next to Sobek’s neck. “I’ll get our enemies right where I want them and then take off their heads, because our enemies are weakest when they think we’ve given up.”

  “He’s a stubborn child. Hopefully it serves him well,” Amun said as his reflection appeared in Isis’ window. He stood a good foot taller than her, but appeared much larger when dressed in his lavender ceremonial robes and long white hat. A thick, burgundy goatee stood strong on an otherwise cleanly-shaven round face. “It reminds me of someone.”

  “Osiris was firm, relentless and strong-willed, but was also kind,” Isis replied, keeping her focus on Horus. Her arms were folded over the top of each other as she leaned against the wall. “Stubborn, he was not.”

  “I was talking about his mother.” Amun smiled at his own wit. Isis briefly looked at Amun through the reflection, allowing her silence and stone-cold glare do the talking. She returned her attention to her son. “We’ve spent eight years in the warped shadow of this collapsed star. It’s time we began speaking,” Amun said, touching her shoulder. “Do you remember when you first joined us here?”

  “My skin crawls at the thought.” She shook him off.

  “I thought it made you perspire?” he said, almost breathing down her neck. “The things we do for our loved ones. Why not experience it again?”

  “Can’t imagine why I avoided it all this time,” Isis snickered. She rolled her eyes and turned to walk away. Amun followed. She spoke again. “You’re relentless, I’ll give you that. But I won’t give you what you want. You’re in my chamber now. I insist you leave.”

  “Then come with me to mine.” He smiled, but she groaned. “Isis, you’re being unreasonable. An arrangement between us is the only natural course.”

  “I’ve a husband,” she rebuffed. He grabbed her right arm and twirled her around, pressing her into the glass wall that overlooked her son training below. He towered over her, looking down the top of her blouse, before gently letting go and smiling nervously. The dagger tapping his inner right thigh was firmly in her grip. “Touch me again and I’ll show you where Horus gets his temper.”

  “And his quick draw,” Amun chuckled, stepping back.

  “That, he inherited from his father—”

  “—Who is dead and not returning.” Amun took another giant step out of her reach when her nostrils flared. “This is my fortress, remember? After the fall of our Corner, we found you content to flee and live in solitude with your child and nephew. Would you have come looking for the rest of us had we not found you first?”

  “You’re married.” She pointed the blade directly at him.

  “She pales in comparison to you.”

  “You have a daughter,” Isis said through her teeth. Her gaze and the steadiness of her weapon were unaffected by her emotion. “She plays with Horus.”

  “If unity between us is something that won’t happen, then perhaps Hathor can grow into a suitable bride for Horus. It seems only fitting that our lines should be joined somewhere, seeing as your starstone was the one selected to protect this fortress. Unless he’s still betrothed to Athena... Likely dead as she may be.”

  Isis narrowed her eyes. “It is unwise to push me.”

  “You’re not an Archangel, Isis. They were a powerful, but rare, breed. I am the next highest-ranking official in our Corner, so let’s not lose sight of the fact that your throne sits atop a pedestal carved out of guilt for the loss of Osiris. The people know your power won’t last forever—you’re a mere muse. I’m an Alpha Guardian...”

  “Were a guardian. Those titles no longer fit us.”

  “So what be us now?” Amun spread his arms as if speaking to a crowd and then plopped them next to his sides. “Are we gods to those who know not any better?”

  “We’re free.”

  “A label the naive give themselves,” Amun replied, stepping closer to her. She raised the dagger. He continued forward and she swung at him. He stepped inside her strike, grabbing both wrists, and pinned her to the wall. He pressed against her and licked her cheek. Her muscles strained as she tried unsuccessfully to pull away. “What happens when your aura starts to fade? Feeling sorry for you won’t be enough to keep you in charge.”

  “If my power ever wanes, then the crown can be yours.” She turned her face towards him, their noses touching. She relaxed a bit, breathing heavily as she looked at his lips. She breathed down his neck, feeling him excite.

  She looked over her shoulder at Horus. She had the support of many angels, but how long would it last when tested? The only thing keeping her boy safe was making sure potential threats remained docile until he was old enough to fend for himself. She looked back at Amun and her bright eyes scrutinized his physique. She licked his lips and bit his ear playfully.

  Amun pressed his lips to hers and shoved his tongue into her mouth. At first she wanted to clam up and curl into a ball. Coming to terms with the fact that this was the only way, she began to tell herself that it was enjoyable. Slowly, it became so. Her fingernails raked across his abs as she returned his kisses, massaging his tongue with hers. She spread her legs and he tore her skirt apart. Sliding his pants down, he turned her toward the window and pressed her against the glass. The sway of his thrust pushed her into the window and then pulled her back again. Between each forced moan to stroke his ego, she shielded her gaz
e, not looking at her young boy. She noticed Anubis turn his head up to the window, though he couldn’t possibly see her.

  Amun grabbed her hair while thrusting harder, trying to cause her breathing to grow shallow. She wouldn’t let him dictate the depths to which he enjoyed her. She spun, curling her legs around his hips, and twisted him to the ground. Her back arched and her hands sifted through her hair as she pulled her own head back. She leaned forward and forced her hands around his throat. She crouched on her feet and closed her eyes, thinking of Osiris as she took command.

  Amun moaned. His arms and body rattled between her legs. His breathing softened as sweat ran down his face. Isis finally collapsed over him with her mouth locked in the open position as she pressed her forehead into his shoulder and breathed heavily. She fought back the tears, hoping Osiris wasn’t judging from above.

  “If Horus inherits the strength and skill that Osiris had as a fighter, and the tact and manipulative ability of his mother, he’ll be an unstoppable leader,” Amun panted with his arms sprawled open on the floor. He took a deep breath, his lungs stuttering.

  “I’ll be sure he’s ready to lead. He’s destined for great things,” she said, slightly grinning. Her breasts were soaked in sweat and visible through her white top. She stepped off him and wrapped a shawl around her waist. “I’m satisfied. You may leave.”

  “Indeed you are.” Amun nodded, examining what she left behind on him. He stood and brushed the wrinkles from his robe. “Osiris may have been powerful and just, but you’re a far more ruthless and suitable leader. You play the game well.”

  “You play well, too.” She smiled, trying to be provocative and enticing. Really there was nothing that made her sicker. The day she could put a dagger through the back of his neck couldn’t arrive soon enough.

  Amun turned and walked away. Isis stared him down, grinding her teeth together. The game terms were now set. They both would have to play by them until better options became available. Isis searched for hers every day. She was not naive enough to think Amun wasn’t doing the same. She turned back to watch her son and noticed Anubis was gone. Just Horus and Sobek remained, continuing to spar. Both boys would remain safe under her watch long enough to one day take possession of what Osiris had charged her with harboring: his piece of the Forge.

  Chapter Eleven

  Isis II

  Isis’ brother Sobek sat across from her with his loyal lieutenants at attention outside the door and out of earshot of their conversation. He was literally suggesting abdication to his sister. It wasn’t quite clear to Isis how her situation had come to this. Perhaps it had something to do with her limited desire for real politics. She’d done everything in her power to hold influence. She’d even preyed on the goodwill of those who still pitied her for the tragedies that she’d endured during their Corner’s expiration. The majority of their people were spared death because of Osiris’ quick thinking and sacrifice. To honor him, his heir—and by extension she—should be lifted up. Their Corner owed it to their onetime Archangel.

  It seemed now all they remembered was Amun swooping down like a god from the sky, casting his wing over them and carrying them away. However, he did so by order of Osiris. How quickly the ignorant masses forget those truly responsible for salvation or devastation. Amun hadn’t uttered a word of ascension to Isis or in public. Of course, there was no telling what went on behind closed doors. Isis knew that all too well.

  Though Horus was now grown, and more than capable of taking care of himself and her, the notion that she would step aside for an angel like Amun was preposterous. She tolerated him being inside her because she could tell the type of dark individual he really was; a trait she sometimes saw in herself.

  Her brother’s words angered her so much she nearly had Sobek thrown into the subterranean mines for speaking them. But then where would that leave her? Down an ally and a reputation shot to pieces.

  “This wasn’t the way it was supposed to be,” she said, leaning back in her chair as if completely unfazed. It was important to always project an aura of confidence. “The Angel-born were meant to rule. My son is to be king one day with Hathor as his wife.”

  “I see not how that changes.” Sobek couldn’t see the truth through the clouds. He must’ve been desperate like the rest of them.

  The energy of their stars was nearing an end, and the shields and life support systems they powered would soon fail. The energetic radiation that loomed beyond their walls would tear through everything with unrelenting force. The time dilation they enjoyed, helping to keep them young all this time, would slip and reverse stream instantly, and they’d be torn through a sort of temporal flux. In short, it wouldn’t be pretty.

  He reached over and held her hand, attempting to console her. “They would still be betrothed,” he said, as if matters of betrothal and marriage were taken to heart by a beast like Amun. “He would assume kinghood through his wife. What difference would it make?”

  “All the difference.” She squinted. “You’re a bigger fool than I took you for if you think Amun would take command and then just hand it over.”

  “And why is that? He’s shown no ill will toward you or Horus in the past. He’s always been your biggest champion.” Sobek stood, obviously insulted by what Isis had said.

  Of course he was her biggest champion. She rode him well.

  “Maybe he should lead.” Sobek nearly pulled out his remaining hairs. “A calmer head sits upon his shoulders, clearly. His star has not faded a day since we’ve come here. It is limitless. I could see us ushering in a new era like never before. Perhaps it would be right for him to remain king for a while. My nephew could learn a thing or two.”

  “Do not bring him into this lest you speak his name with caution.” Isis sat forward and glared at her brother. “I won’t entertain this further. If there be something else you wish to discuss then I’ll hear it. Otherwise, leave me be.”

  “Where did you send the prince and his cousin?” Sobek softened his tone. His long face told her the bickering was wearing on him. “I think I have a right to know that.”

  “Earth,” she said. He was aghast and turned pale. “That look, there.” She pointed at him. “That’s why I kept it close to the vest.”

  “You are mad,” he said, nearly hyperventilating. He propped himself against the back of the chair for support. “You know what’s happened there. They’re exposed.”

  “We don’t know what’s happening there. Have we seen it for ourselves?”

  “The scouts sent earlier…”

  “By Amun. I trust them not.” She stood and pulled him close, speaking at a whisper. “Steady yourself.”

  “I can’t for the life of me understand why you view him as a threat.” Sobek caressed his fingers along his sister’s soft face. “There is plenty you’ve not shared. Just unburden yourself.”

  Isis wanted to tell him how Amun would frequently slither his way inside her quarters and her body, a fact she’d long regretted but couldn’t seem to change. She both hated and enjoyed it. Mostly she pretended it was her husband.

  Her sorrowful eyes turned up to him and held tears at bay. He waited patiently for a revelation, but it wouldn’t come. One of his men entered the room.

  “Sir,” the young Angel-born lieutenant, Khepri, said as he marched into the room with his eyes cast to the floor. His superiors graciously gestured for him to speak. “There is a visitor from the East. Lady Khali has come to speak with our people.”

  Isis looked at Sobek with a sense of mistrust.

  He shrugged. “I know nothing of this. I swear.” She knew when her baby brother was lying, and this wasn’t one of those times. He spoke to Khepri. “Is she alone?”

  “She is.” Khepri nodded. “And claims it is urgent.”

  “Bring her here immediately. Do not let her speak to anyone else.” Isis stood and marched in circles. If Vishnu was sending delegates then something was afoot. He only ever let those under his wing loose when he had dema
nds. Or could it be something closer to her heart? Maybe his scouts to Earth had grave news regarding Horus.

  “The small council needs to convene,” Sobek urged her, but she ignored him. “Look at me, sister—you know as well as I do what someone on the level of Khali visiting our inner halls means. We have to play this right.”

  “I’m aware.” She briefly glanced at him while pacing. “You need to go.”

  “Vishnu was there at the Last Great War.” Sobek stood in her way and grabbed onto her. His hands went clear around her arms with nearly a finger’s length to spare. “Michael destroyed the Western Corner. They were dismembered so badly that a spoiled half-breed cunt was able to ascend as queen.”

  “I know this.” Isis shrugged, wishing Sobek would just get on with his point before Khali arrived.

  “Vishnu, from what I know during my brief encounters and the words your husband and his brother would share about him, is a very greedy, untrustworthy and nefarious individual. His selection to the ranks of Archangel was far from unanimous, sneaking in through a three-way split vote because of the incredible influence he held over a large population of our kind.”

  Khepri leaned in through a small opening in the door at the far end of the chamber. The siblings looked at him, each holding up a hand for another second of privacy. Isis rubbed Sobek’s chin and pulled his head down to kiss his forehead. He sighed and closed his eyes.

  “When you share a bed with someone, you are uniquely in a position to know all sorts of truths. Osiris would confide in me things that would make your bones crumble,” she whispered, pulling her brother’s head down and into her shoulder. “I know what kind of man Vishnu is, and I also know the man you would have me bow to.”

 

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