by Jean Murray
“Because we are going on a rescue mission,” Kendra said, stepping out from behind Bakari. The white aura around her brightened the red ringlets of hair. The flecks in her brown eyes sparkled with life. She was everything he remembered her to be, except for the large silver scar just to the left of her sternum.
Bomani swallowed against a tight throat and stepped back. “I do not understand,” he stammered, completely taken off guard. The fact that she was smiling at him worsened his sense of displacement.
She gingerly placed a black book with a gold buckle on the table. Bomani stared wide eyed at the woman who had come between him and Bakari. The countless hours he had spent with her in the library, looking for the right spell to awaken Bakari. The kiss they had shared.
A time, not that long ago. Yet, he could not conjure the feelings he once had for her.
Kendra opened the book and turned it so he could see it. She tapped the black page with gold hieroglyphics. He stared at the symbol matching the mark on Siya’s wrist and dagger.
Bomani leaned in closer, his curiosity blocking the pain in his chest. He read the glyphs across the page. “What is this?”
“This is the Book of Creation. The hourglass figure is in this book and translates simply—the beginning and the end.”
Fixated on the page he touched the glyph with his fingertips.
“Bomani, please look at me,” Kendra said and placed her palm on his hand.
Under a heavy weight of guilt Bomani forced his gaze to meet hers.
“We have a lot to talk about, but right now, we need to know how to find Siya,” Kendra continued. “The prophecy speaks of a male and female like no other. Mated and blessed to bring new life into the world.”
Bomani blinked, not quite registering the significance of Kendra’s message. Her gaze shifted to the hand he had clamped over his heart. Right now it was difficult to organize rational thought when his chest ached with a vengeance.
“Is there any chance she could be pregnant?”
“Pregnant?” Her question jolted Bomani’s focus away from his pain.
“You mated with her. Bonded.”
“Yes.” He shook his head. “What are you saying exactly?”
Kendra pointed at the hourglass symbol again. “You are both unique. This prophesy speaks of you and Siya.”
“A baby?” Bomani swayed on his feet. Gods, he did not even think bonding could happen, let alone siring offspring.
“Stay with us, brother.” Bakari grabbed Bomani’s shoulder, steadying him.
Kendra stepped forward and touched the hand Bomani clasped to his chest. “Nebt will try and break the bond.”
A new wave of pain assaulted Bomani. “I think she already figured out how,” he said on a groan.
“I know this is going to sound bad, but pain is good. It means Siya is fighting it. We need to go now.”
“If Nebt breaks the bond, what will happen to Siya. To our baby?” Bomani asked, barely able to get the words out.
“Apep will claim them both.”
Bomani leaned his forearms on the table and cradled his head. He reached out through the bond. I am coming. Do not give up.
“He is in no condition to go,” Sin said, pointing to Bomani.
Bomani forced himself up. They would have to shackle him again before he would let them leave without him.
“He goes with me. Siya will need him when we find her,” Bakari said, beating Bomani to the punch.
“What about your father?” Sin asked.
“He has his hands full stopping civil war with the Creations. We have time, but not much,” Bakari added. He pulled weapons off the wall and began dressing Bomani out with gear. “Kamen will be harder to get past.”
“Leave him to me,” Kit said, appearing through the archway followed by Lilly.
“I will run interference as much as I can. The younglings can help,” Lilly said, closing the door behind her.
Bomani looked around the room. “Why are you doing this for me of all people?”
Kendra leaned against Bakari and then met Bomani’s gaze. “This is what families do.”
Family? The word made Bomani’s eyes water. For all his sins they had taken him back without question and were willing to risk their lives to save the woman he loved.
“Yep, looks like you are stuck with us,” Kit said and punched him in the arm.
Lilly smiled. “Hell yeah.”
“Thank you,” Bomani said through a tight throat. His thoughts turned to Siya. Hang on. I am coming for you.
Chapter Forty-Three
Bakari led the way through the passageways. From what Bomani could gage, his brother was taking them to the farthest point of the isle. Close to where the gates of the Afterlife anchored to the shore.
The pain in his chest steadily grew. He did not know how long Siya could last against Nebt. If Nebt used the demotic spells against her, the bond could crumble any minute. He pushed past the pain and followed his brother out the last security door.
Bomani stepped onto the soft white sand of the beach. The Underworld River snaked by their feet. On the other side of the wide black water, paradise waited for souls worthy to pass the gates. In the last century the ferry rarely traveled these waters.
“Father will probably throw you in the cell with me once this is all said and done. Are you sure you want to do that?” Bomani said, distracting himself from the ancestral voices bubbling their secrets in the water’s current.
“A likely outcome, but he will understand once Kendra explains the situation.”
“You have more faith than I.” Bomani rubbed his chest, the ridges of his legion brand still prominent under his fingertips. “How do I find her?” he asked, unwilling to waste time trying on his own.
His brother turned to him. “Normally, I focus on Kendra’s strongest emotion rippling across the bond. In your case, Siya’s pain is your best bet. Follow it. Relax and your body will take you there.”
“If things get bad, I want you to leave us there,” Bomani said. “I will not have Kendra suffer because of this.” Nor would Bomani leave Siya, even if the outcome was hopeless.
“Kendra will be protecting us, even from a great distance. Let me take care of the siravants, you just concentrate on finding Siya.”
Bomani nodded. For the first time in his life he hesitated, fearful he may have to battle the very woman he loved. He stared at Siya’s saber in his hands, wanting to believe this was the beginning of something. Not the end. His faith had never been a source of power for him.
But nevertheless, it was all he had at the moment. He searched for the right prayer to recite. The only thing that came to mind was his warrior’s oath. As Commander, he had led the legions in reciting this prayer before battle. He had no legion, but it seemed appropriate all the same. He dropped to one knee. Bakari knelt next to him and echoed his words.
“From the waters of my birth to the blood that gives me life, I will fight with purpose and fatality until my dying breath to defend my Lord, my life, my brothers and my charge. For it is why I was created to serve faithfully and honorably, as my ancestors before me. I swear my allegiance to my Lord and Legion to defend its land and souls that have sought refuge. I know not the meaning of surrender. For I am a warrior, blood and honor will be mine.”
Bomani met his brother’s gaze and held out his hand. In all their years, he had never once offered Bakari a warrior’s handshake. A sign of respect and loyalty, he had never felt Bakari worthy of such a greeting.
Bakari grasped Bomani’s forearm. “For blood and fury,” Bomani said and squeezed his brother’s arm.
“For blood and fury,” Bakari answered.
Still holding his brother’s arm, Bomani focused on Siya’s energy. Weakened and battered, she was still holding onto him. Bomani clung to her pain, made it his own. His body became lighter and shifted through the realms, pulled by a force of agony and desperation.
He rematerialized in an empty room beneath the eart
h. The frigid air hit his skin. Quickly he surveyed the area. White minerals leached through the thick concrete.
Bakari leaned against the wall and peered out the dark hallway. “We are in Siberia.”
“Yeah,” Bomani agreed. A cold war bunker, long since abandoned or the residents exterminated or possessed.
“Where to next?” Bakari asked and pulled his Mevt daggers from his chest strap.
Bomani did not need to follow the energy trail. The smell of Siya’s blood saturated the crisp air. “Last room at the end.” Bomani placed his hand on Bakari’s chest. “Nebt will be there with the demotic text.”
“I am counting on it.” Bakari’s stare was as cold as the subzero temperatures.
Bomani nodded, realizing his brother had his own score to settle with Nebt. He had no doubt the dagger his brother palmed would find its home in Nebt’s black soul.
Ice covered the floor and ceiling. A few spots had black smears of blood. Based on the putrid smell, demons were heavily concentrated on this level. No wonder Menthu had been so elusive—he had been buried deep in the earth.
A chorus of growls and hisses sounded above their heads. Bomani could not see the demons, but the stench grew stronger.
“Go,” Bakari yelled and slashed a siravant to his left. The spell on the Mevt daggers sliced a large unhealing wound.
With Bakari tight on his heels, Bomani sprinted down the long concrete hall. Three demons hit Bomani. He stumbled and rolled with the momentum. He thrust his broad sword into the demon’s chest. Unfazed, the demon stripped off the human body and attacked again.
Bomani’s weapon was kicked out of his hand. The broadsword bounced down the hard stone. He pulled Siya’s saber from his belt and arched the curved blade, slashing another demon across the neck. It let out a screech and exploded into black ash.
“Shit,” Bomani cursed as the disintegrated demon rained down upon them.
“My daggers are only slowing them down,” Bakari said, rendering multiple slashes to one demon.
“Maybe there is something to this prophecy,” Bomani said, leaving another demon to be swept up off the floor.
“Kendra is never wrong,” Bakari grunted and slammed a demon against the wall. “I hold, you cut.”
“We do not have much time before more come,” Bomani said and wiped the ash from his eyes. He maneuvered just outside the door with the strongest scent of blood.
Bakari grabbed Bomani’s arm. “Let me go first.”
Bomani leaned his head back on the stone while his brother stepped into the doorway and froze. He motioned to Bomani and allowed him to pass.
Crimson icicles hung from the chains suspending her above frozen pools of blood. Her head hung limp. No breath came from her lungs. Bomani’s knees weakened at the sight. He swallowed the gasp threatening to escape from his lungs.
Bakari cursed and stowed his daggers. His brother moved to the wall and loosened the chains. “Bomani!”
His brother’s call fell on deaf ears. Bomani could not move, only stare with crippling grief. “Bomani, look at me. She can still be saved, but I need you to grab her when I lower her down. We need to get the chains from her wrists and ankles.”
Bomani nodded, unable to formulate any words. The pulleys clattered against the cold metal links. Siya landed in his arms, limp and lifeless. It had been only a day and a half and yet she felt lighter than a feather. He pulled her tight to his chest. His mark had faded to no more than a shadow on her skin. “Stay with me, ka’ti.” His soul mate, if he could just stop the spell from breaking their bond completely.
Bakari shoved the tip of his dagger into the key holes on the cuffs and snapped the locks. The thick studded metal crashed to the floor.
“Give me her saber, I will transport us out of here.” Bakari placed his hand on Bomani’s shoulder and pulled their energy inward.
“Something is wrong,” Bomani protested. His body faded while Siya’s remained solid.
Bakari shifted his grasp to her arm and dematerialized. Again, she remained anchored. Bomani swore, realizing they were going to have to walk out. “Nebt must have put a spell on the room. We have to go back to where we came in.”
Bakari stepped out into the hall. “Shit.”
Bomani did not need to ask. Based on the stench, the corridor was filled with demons. With Siya incapacitated, Bomani would not be able to wield a weapon effectively to fight.
“They are not moving, just waiting. They know they have us trapped.”
Bomani shifted her weight. “Fight them back as far as you can and get out of here.”
Bakari glared at him. “We go out together.”
“Listen to me, this is my decision. Kendra and the legion need you. I have made my choice and I am staying with her.”
Bakari stalked towards him and pointed the tip of his dagger at Bomani. “Do not insult me with that bullshit. You honestly do not see anything other than the male I was. I have changed, brother. So, get fucking behind me and we go.”
“Fine,” Bomani growled and placed Siya over his shoulder. He grasped the saber in his hand and followed Bakari out the door. A black wave of bodies shifted, like a Tsunami wave ready to crush them.
Bomani squinted his eyes, not sure he was seeing the female he once called family. Nebt stood before them, her face twisted with malevolence. Eyes rimmed in red. Black blood coated her now jagged teeth.
The temperature plunged as his brother’s hatred poured out of his body. “Nebt,” Bakari hissed.
“Well, what a sight. I thought you dead, nephew,” Nebt sneered at Bakari. “Along with that bitch of yours.”
“You will pay for what you have done.” Bakari pointed the god’s death dagger at her.
“Unlikely,” Nebt said and looked around. “From where I stand, it is you who will pay.”
Bomani stepped next to Bakari. “Where is Menthu?”
“Menthu,” Nebt scoffed. “He did not stick around to watch his daughter’s transformation. Honestly, I think he has a weak spot for her. Maybe it is the fact that she looks so much like her mother. Do not think his absence is a tactical advantage. I control these demons, not him.”
“And who controls you? What has Apep offered that is worth destroying your husband, family and the humans we were commissioned to protect? What will be left exactly? You, Menthu and a bunch of siravants,” Bomani yelled.
“Your words are empty as will be your hearts.”
The demons jerked and snapped their jaws as if already knowing the Dark Lord’s plan. Black saliva dripped from their fangs onto the icy floor. Nebt’s control over the siravants was an overstatement. Based on the dark oily look in their eyes, they were being restrained by something far nastier than Nebt.
“They will not attack as long as we have Siya,” Bomani whispered, keeping his eyes on the siravants.
Bakari gave him a sideward glance. “All the more reason to get her out of here. Apep must know of the prophecy.”
“Or a different version of it,” Bomani said, eyeing the black text in Nebt’s hands.
“Apep means to rewrite the prophecy?”
“Maybe. Shit, anything is possible.”
“Care to let us in on your conversation?” Nebt snapped, palming the open face of the demotic text. “I do not think you appreciate the gravity of your situation.” Nebt’s lips moved in silent incantation.
Siya moaned against Bomani’s shoulder and pain shot through his chest. Unbalanced, he slammed into the wall. Losing his grip on Siya, he grappled to keep her from falling.
Bakari blurred in Bomani’s peripheral vision. Clouds of black ash exploded and demons scattered under the wake of Bakari’s attack. Bomani slid down the wall under the unbearable pain.
A large hand clamped under Bomani’s arm and jerked him up. “Come on, brother.”
Bomani clung to Siya and staggered forward, guided by Bakari. “Where is Nebt?” Bomani asked on a choked breath.
“Somewhere hiding,” Bakari replied in a low g
rowl.
“I will not stop you from killing her,” Bomani said, taking on more of his own weight. The pain was receding. Although it gave him more of his strength back, he remembered Kendra’s warning. No pain meant the spell had broken the bond.
Hang on ka’ti.
Bomani pulled on his energy to dematerialize. Siya remained heavy in his arm. “We have a problem.”
“Besides the demons and one damned goddess?”
“The spell is holding Siya.”
“We need the gods' damn book.” Bakari stared up the long stairwell. “Or we walk out.”
“Nebt will be waiting,” Bomani stated the obvious.
“To tighten the noose. The demons have retreated from this level. My guess is we are about five stories below ground.” Bakari wiped the black blood from Siya’s blade and his hands. “I am glad we brought this.”
Bomani knelt and shifted Siya in his arms. Besides the moaning, she had not moved. He assessed her visible injuries and palpated her legs.
“How is she?”
“There are so many wounds. I am not sure which one is worse.”
Bakari squeezed his shoulder. “Lilly can work magic.”
Bomani nodded in agreement, but the worry in his gut did not dissipate with his brother’s reassurance. The pain in his chest lessened with each passing minute they delayed. Lilly could not heal the bond, only Siya’s physical wounds.
Bomani shifted his hand over Siya’s flat belly. Could she really be pregnant?
They had joined only once.
“Siya.” Bomani pressed his lips to her temple and shifted her blood soaked hair away from her face. His mark on her chest had faded further. He hugged her tight, willing their connection to hold.
“Find Siya through the bond. Reach out to her, draw her to you,” Bakari said, sympathy infusing his stare. “Remember she can sense your emotions. Let her know you will not give up on her. Think of your future together.”
“Our future?” Bomani choked out a rough laugh. “We have a bounty on our heads. The Creations are calling for our execution.” What future could he offer her? Or a child for that matter?
“Father will not let that happen, no matter the outcome.”
