Hathor looked shocked. “He would only need a very small window of opportunity to send his essence through. A young, fertile human woman could easily become a host. The babe could grow at an exponential rate! Oh, Thoth, this is terrible!”
“What Anubis and Tessa ran into the yesterday was indeed a hybrid. Anubis said it fed off humans by using their souls as energy.”
“But what would be the point, husband? Apep was not exactly a man dedicated to family. Why would he choose to procreate? That is not in his nature.”
“No, it is not in his nature. But it is in the nature of everything living to survive.” He looked at his wife apologetically. “He is probably using this thing as a gateway, a conduit to somehow break through. I am sorry, wife, but I must have Anubis’s help on this. He is one of the very few powerful ones, as is Ralabos. It will take all of our strength combined to stop this thing. There is no telling what he can do, or even what Apep’s plans are.”
“Thoth, we can’t do that to him. He needs one more day. Can we give him that?”
The possibilities of what this creature was capable of were endless. There was no telling exactly what it could do or what his true purpose was. It was even possible that Apep shared a mind link with his offspring. They could be implementing the destruction of mankind from across the realms with deadly accuracy. The more Thoth thought about the possibilities, the more worried he became. The sooner they took care of the situation the better. Too many humans had died already. And if his guess were right, more would die before this was over.
“Hathor, I don’t know if we can spare him. However, I will call upon Ralabos first and buy our dark friend more time with his new mate.”
As Thoth concentrated on trying to touch the mind of Ralabos, he hoped they had enough power between them to keep Apep at bay. The last battle with the powerful Apep had ended in many deaths. They had barely defeated him long enough to imprison him. And now he had a progeny who could, with time, have the power Apep needed to break free from his prison.
* * * *
Teremun walked slowly down the dirty streets. This was the less affluent part of town. The part of town most people avoided if they didn’t live here. As night fell he became more relaxed, since he blended in with the shadows so well. He felt weak and every step he took required too much of what precious energy he had left. His body was racked with pain, but it was bearable. He traveled deeper into the slums, depending on his sight instead of his preternatural senses to find a human. His tongue lanced through the air, hoping to catch a whiff of prey.
Then he found it. He followed the scent until his eyes picked out the victim. There, huddled next to a large waste receptacle, a human was hunched over searching the ground. At the sound of his footsteps the man squinted up at him in the dimness.
“Do you have any spare change? I could really use a meal.” The man’s gruff voice echoed in the alley. Teremun came closer, flinching at the scent of the unwashed human. But this human would do. Who would miss a creature such as this?
Teremun stopped in front of him and knelt down. A smile split his face at the thought he was finally going to be replenished. At the very least it was a start. His eyes flashed into green diamond slits as he stared at the man. “I could really use a meal as well.”
Chapter Twelve
“Wake up,” Tessa ordered for the third time as she kissed Torian on the nose. For just a second she was surprised at her affectionate gesture. The last few days had been wonderful. That is, once she realized she must be in some kind of coma and was having one helluva epic dream. When she woke up this morning she felt strong, different, somehow changed. It could be the fact that she allowed herself to breathe freely in this hallucination. It was easy being with Torian because it had none of the repercussions of real life. Torian opened one dark eye and winked at her. “You were already awake?” She hit him playfully in the chest.
“I found no reason to actually rise. Every time you leaned over and shook me your breasts swayed so delightfully.” Tessa blushed even as she hit him again and rose from the bed and stretched. She was famished and she had no particular taste for anything. Probably one of the side effects of dreaming. One didn’t actually eat when they dreamed, did they? Tessa shrugged. She wasn’t going to think it to death. She simply wanted to enjoy herself until such time as she woke from her coma.
“What goes through that devilish mind of yours, woman? I hate to admit this, but I’m going to need at least thirty seconds before I’m ready to ravish you again.” Torian pulled his long frame from the bed so that he was on his knees, his cock already at attention. He looked down at his member then back at her. “It would seem I’m a liar.”
“Torian, we have time for that later.” Even as she said it, Tessa eyed the tempting arousal with interest. His dark eyes smoldered suggestively as she warred with what she now wanted to do more. Tessa even took a step towards the bed, unaware of her action. “You promised,” was all the fight she could muster. Torian looked at her a moment longer before he got out of bed, every move like that of a predator. He came to her slowly, never losing eye contact.
“Now, which promise are you referring to, love? The one in which I promised to indulge in your addictive charms until you could stand no more?” He placed a finger under her chin and brought her face up to his. “Or the one in which I promised I could never grow tired of tasting these lips over and over again?” He stepped closer so that now the tip of his cock was in the beginning stage of demanding entrance between her thighs. “I know. You’re referring to the promise in which I vowed to satisfy any desire you wish to explore.”
Tessa swallowed, her mouth having gone dry from the sight of him. His words further enflamed her desire for him. “That one.” She managed to croak out. Torian looked at her, mildly confused. “I have no other desire than to go horseback riding like you promised.”
Torian grinned at that statement. “You’ve no desire to save a horse?”
Tessa laughed at the innuendo from the popular song. It surprised her he even knew the tune.
“First off, you’re not a cowboy.” She stepped back, her ache for him becoming stronger than her excitement at riding. “Second, like I said before, you promised.” She put her hands on her hips and tapped her foot. When his eyes riveted to her breasts, Tessa stopped. She knew that if he really pushed the issue, he could quite easily make her pudding in his hands.
“And you have no other desire than to go riding?” His voice went low, taunting her.
“None whatsoever.” She jerked her head up a notch and sniffed.
Torian closed the gap between them. His cock was now nestled against her stomach and she could swear she felt it pulsing. His head descended until his firm lips were against hers in the lightest of touches. Frustrated, Tessa brought her arms up until her fingers buried themselves in his thick, dark hair. She pulled him closer, and plundered his mouth without inhibition. Then, to her surprise, he broke the kiss. “Liar,” he whispered against her slightly swollen lips. “However, if my lady wishes to tell me falsehoods, then so be it.” He disengaged her arms from around his neck and walked past her, grinning. Tessa could think of nothing else to do but stick her tongue out at his retreating figure.
“I’ve other ideas with what you could be doing with that tongue,” he called out without turning around. Tessa was surprised that he’d known she’d done that. “Unless you’re giving a whole new meaning to the term riding bareback, I think you might want to follow me.”
* * * *
“How is it that you just happen to have riding gear just my size?” Tessa stared at herself in the full-length mirror. Torian was behind her blatantly admiring her backside. She snapped her fingers, bringing his dark gaze to hers. The look he gave her almost made her regret it. Her body was addicted to his. Every time they made love, it was never enough. Her body responded to the familiarity, but at the same time, the intensity always felt new.
“How is it you just happen to be the size of
the riding gear?” he countered.
Tessa looked at him and shook her head, deserting that aspect of conversation. Torian took her hand and began to lead her through the castle. “I take it you have ridden before?”
Tessa nodded. It had been too long since she’d had the pleasure. She and Roarden used to go a lot. After their breakup, Tessa had totally ignored the hobby she loved so much. She frowned slightly at the thought of Roarden. Usually when she thought of him, fresh, sharp pangs would pierce her chest. Now she felt nothing.
“Yes. I love riding.” Torian led her to another door leading out of the castle. The horse stables loomed large just ahead of them. As they got closer, Tessa could see he housed an array of breeds. Her excitement grew as she eyed the horses. She didn’t know which one she favored more. She stepped up to the dark brown Quarter horse and rubbed its broad head. The horse next to it whinnied and she was immediately drawn to the young male Appaloosa. As Tessa surveyed the animals, she anguished over her decision about which to ride. Then she saw him. At the very end of the stable, the magnificent creature stood proud and majestic. He silently looked her over and Tessa stared at him with her mouth gaped open. “You have a Sorraia?”
“You know horses very well.” Torian stood behind her and encircled her waist. “Tessa, meet Balder.”
“I didn’t think I’d ever get to see one in the flesh, let alone up close.” Tessa stroked the long, velvety nose lovingly. “Hello, Balder,” she cooed to the horse. “Can I ride him?”
“You may, but let me warn you, Balder can be temperamental.” Tessa turned to him questioningly. “He’s tried to throw me more than once,” Torian admitted rather sheepishly. “But I believe it is a mere personality disagreement.”
“Well, I like him well enough.” Tessa couldn’t stop petting the beautiful animal. He seemed to respond to her as he nuzzled her neck.
“And it would appear that he likes you as well.” Tessa barely registered his moving away and coming back with two saddles. He handed her one. “If he’s in a bad mood today it will show when you strap the saddle on him. If he seems twitchy, you will have to choose another horse, agreed?” Tessa nodded. “But don’t get your hopes up. I don’t think he wants to be ridden.”
* * * *
Ten minutes later, Tessa whooped as the air whipped freely through her hair. Balder was wonderful to ride and he was behaving rather well. She urged Balder to slow down as Torian, having chosen the Quarter, trotted up belatedly next to her. He eyed the horse rather ruefully, then smiled at her. “He now belongs to you.”
“What?” Tessa stammered.
“He’s yours. He obviously likes you a lot better than me.” As if to punctuate his words, Balder whinnied softly.
“But I can’t.”
“Why?” Torian waited patiently for an answer while Tessa floundered for one.
“They’re so expensive, so rare…” Torian cocked up an eyebrow. “Not to mention I have no way of taking care of him.”
“He can remain here and you can see him anytime you’d like.” Torian rode up next to her until their thighs brushed. “My home is your home, Tessa.”
Tessa felt the sadness well in her heart. It was too bad this was all one long, wonderful dream. There was no way in the world she could have a fantastic lover, great conversationalist and everything else and then some in one man. It was even more implausible that man would want her with such intensity. She just didn’t attract that kind of man. She attracted snakes in men’s clothing. Tessa decided to just go along with the dream. Hell, what was the harm?
“Thank you, Torian.” A frown creased his face. “What is it?”
“There is so much we need to talk about, Tessa.” His eyes looked worried.
“Like what?” She watched as for the first time Torian looked unsure.
“How do you feel?” he deftly changed the subject, so Tessa let it drop. She figured whatever it was that was bothering him he had to approach it in his own time. However, at that question she noted she did feel hungry again. And like the time before, she had no particular taste for traditional foods. She totaled it up to things not always being logical in the dream world. Hell, by her count she’d been dreaming for about three days.
“A little peckish,” she admitted.
“What do you want?”
“I don’t know.”
Torian got down from his horse and beckoned that she do the same. He let the horses roam freely in the lush green expanse. Torian took her hand and walked slowly, seemingly deep in thought. She kept quiet, trying to give him time to collect his thoughts. He stopped and faced her, his eyes telling her something she simply couldn’t understand. Then he stood stock still as if he were listening to something she couldn’t hear. “Not now,” he muttered to himself.
“What is it? Please, Torian, you’re scaring me. Just tell me what it is.”
“I don’t know how. What if all this isn’t a dream, love?”
Tessa laughed shortly. Of course it was a dream. Everything was too perfect. Where were they exactly if not in some place her mind dreamed up? “But it is, Torian.” She caressed his face. She didn’t want this dream to get ruined. She was having too much fun.
“But what if it isn’t?” he insisted.
Tessa looked at him for signs of illness. “This isn’t real. You’re not real.” Tessa knew it was time to wake up. She was having the most bizarre conversation.
“I’m very real, Tessa.”
“I admit it feels that way. But you’re a product of my imagination.”
It was then that Torian kissed her hard. Surprise rendered her immobile until the taste of his mouth next to hers whipped her into action. As usual, she responded strongly to him. She moaned as she tasted the unique flavor that was Torian. Slowly he broke the kiss. “Tessa, you must listen to me. I have something to tell you.”
“Then just say it.” Tessa was worried now. Worried that she might have suffered some sort of brain trauma and that was why she was having this truly lovely, if unrealistic, dream. Torian’s eyes searched her face and still he said nothing. “Trust me, Torian. You can trust me with anything.”
Torian took a deep breath. “Perhaps it is better if I show you.” Right before her eyes he disappeared. For a second Tessa was alarmed. Even if this wasn’t real it was a little disconcerting to have someone just vanish before your eyes. “This is only the beginning of what I have to tell you.” Tessa jumped at the sound of Torian’s voice behind her.
“I need to wake up,” Tessa muttered to herself. “My dream is trying to convince me that it’s real. If that’s not real lunacy I don’t know what is.”
“I wish I didn’t have to tell you this way.”
“What extensive brain trauma I must have,” Tessa reasoned with herself.
“But Thoth is calling me, we have no more time.”
“Okay, how did I wake myself up when I was younger and having a nightmare?”
“Listen to me, Tessa.”
“There’s no place like home. No, that’s not it.”
“Thoth needs our help. People are dying.” Torian’s words cut through her ranting. She stared at him.
“Thoth? As in the Egyptian god?” Tessa winced. She was worse off than she thought.
“I know this is scary and not the way I wanted to tell you. But our help is needed. I have to trust that you are fully healed. I have to wake you now, Tessa.”
“Of course.” Tessa breathed a sigh of relief. She wasn’t crazy after all. This was just her brain’s way of letting her know she was about to wake up. “Though I don’t know what Thoth has to do with this.”
“He and the others need our help.”
“Others?”
“Travelers like Thoth and myself.” He paused on the last bit. Tessa felt her heart speed up; something was definitely odd about her dream. She looked at him in confusion. He explained, “You know him as Jonathan.”
“Oh.” Tessa couldn’t believe her brain was on the fritz. She played a
long. “And which god would I know you as?”
Torian stepped up to her and his eyes turned into the funnels she was now familiar with. He embraced her then pulled back and sighed heavily.
“I am Anubis. The Dark God or, my more familiar title, God of the Dead.”
Chapter Thirteen
He didn’t want to tell her this way. He wanted — no, needed — more time. Tessa’s expression morphed into a myriad of expressions. Shock, disbelief and, strangely enough, humor. “Am I on camera? No, that can’t be because I’m dreaming. You said yourself you had to wake me.” His heart splintered as he watched her try to understand what was only the tip of the iceberg of what he had to tell her.
“And I do,” Anubis agreed as he took both of her hands in his. “But you’re not dreaming in this place. Your body is sleeping in the healing pyramids. I assure you, this place is very real and everything in it. I live here sometimes.”
“If you’re God of the Dead, then this is supposed to be a hell of some sort?” She broke away from his grasp and walked a few worried paces. “Are you telling me that I’m dead?”
“You humans and your heaven and hell.” Anubis would have to come back to that topic later. “Do you remember the man in the park?” Torian’s anger surfaced as the image of Tessa being drained of her life flashed in his mind. When Tessa nodded, he continued. “He took your life. I brought you here because I couldn’t stand the thought of losing you.”
“Where exactly is here?”
“This is, for want of a better description, a purgatory of sorts. Souls wait here while they are judged. It is where I reign. I escort the souls where they need to be. On occasion I even judge them.” Tessa walked back up to him, searching his face. “I wish I could explain everything, but I can’t. The only thing I can tell you is the man who killed you is killing again. It will take all of us to stop this. I am ashamed to say that we have no idea what we are dealing with.”
Caress The Dark God [Scions of the Ankh 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) Page 9
