Seth bites his tongue. For someone who rules over who knows how many demons, he looks like a scolded schoolboy.
I’m drained, physically and mentally, and tired of her attitude. “Can we get this over with?” Every second near the Lioness is one too many.
“Very well.” Her hand gesture reminds me of the Queen of England, majestic and full of confidence. “We shall proceed.”
The Lioness’s mouth opens. A spine-chilling roar escapes.
The door opens, and one of the demon slaves, wearing the Blue Crown, strolls in, a piece of papyrus in his hand.
“Your sins,” Seth explains.
My what? Sekhmet’s already skimming the writing, nodding, tsking, shaking her head.
She looks up. “Nebt-Het, daughter of Geb and Nut, Goddess of Protection, Princess of all Egypt, descendant of the great Ra, you are to stand trial for crimes committed against the Ennead.” She rumbled all that and didn’t even take a breath. Impressive. “Are you ready to face your punishment?”
I’d jump up, but I’m still invisibly strapped to the damn chair. “For what? What did I do?”
“You entered the Chamber of Eternal Life, freed the sacred cobra, and used her poison to take two eternal lives.” Sekhmet shrugs lazily. “Shall I continue or have you heard enough?”
In my mind, I already see myself cut to pieces and disposed of in the cauldrons, but I’m ready to fight. “My name is Nisha Blake.” I clear my throat and sit straighter. “Daughter of Adam and Aliyah Blake. People call me Angel of Death, but I have never intentionally hurt anyone in my life. If you want to judge me, you better get the story right.”
Seth’s eyes widen with shock. “What are you—”
“Quiet!” Sekhmet gets on her feet. “What are you saying, child?”
I let out a sharp exhale. “I’m saying that maybe I was Nebt-Het once, and maybe I did all those things you accuse me of, but you don’t get to judge me for a past life I can’t even remember.”
“It doesn’t matter if you remember or not, darling granddaughter.” She narrows her eyes at me. “The facts remain. You disobeyed every law in the Ennead, and for what?” She throws Seth a disgusted look. “The love of a mortal?”
“You speak of mankind as if they were less,” I say, my heart on fire. “They are kinder than you’ll ever be.”
“They’re flawed,” she says, her face hard.
I think of Blaze, my family, and my friends. Each and every one of them is kind, forgiving, and loved. “Maybe they are,” I say. “But at least they have hearts. They know hardship, have suffered endlessly, and yet they show mercy. You, on the other hand, Great Goddess, are cruel and egoistic.”
“I am?” She sounds amused.
I’m officially out of control. “Look at you.” I stare at her pitiful throne. “Look at what you’ve become. The great Warrior Goddess, the one who used to protect humanity, is a bloodthirsty, bitter old wench.”
“Careful,” she warns. “I am—”
“Judgmental?” I continue, unimpressed. “A hypocrite? I know. I mean, it’s easy to sit on your mighty throne and judge others, isn’t it? What about yourself, though? Why don’t you take a long look in the mirror? You fell from grace, you slaughtered thousands, and your husband had to imprison you in this godforsaken place. They call you ‘she who dances on blood,’ grandmother, yet here you are, passing judgment on others.”
“How dare you?” Her voice has the power to crack bones and skulls. “I may pass judgment on the doomed, but—”
I laugh. “Keep telling yourself that. But we both know you’re judging the very people you were supposed to protect.”
I might have just pushed her to breaking point. She flies at me with a look in her eyes that would make the greatest warrior sink to his knees. “The ones I was supposed to protect?” she yells in my face, her scorching breath burning my skin. “The ones you were supposed to protect, Nebt-Het.” She shoots Seth a hateful glance, then returns to me. “You were born to keep order, brought into our kingdom to protect. And what did you do? You wasted your time on a mortal who brought chaos and death.” Sekhmet shakes her head. “Tell me, do you sleep well, knowing you have the deaths of thousands on your conscience?”
“No,” I answer truthfully. “But I’m willing to bet neither do you.”
She steps back, grinning like a she-devil. “I am a goddess,” she says matter-of-factly. “I don’t require sleep. And neither did you, before you tossed your heritage in the trash for a human who didn’t understand our laws and rules, our culture and responsibilities.”
My heart aches at the pain in Seth’s eyes. He might be an evil psychopath, but no one deserves this because he wasn’t born into a certain bloodline. “Don’t you dare judge him when you’re the one who finds joy in torturing lost souls.”
“Don’t,” Seth warns sharply. “I can fight my own battles.”
“Maybe, but you shouldn’t have to. No one—human or god, evil or good—should ever have to face such hostility on their own.” Trust me, I know. If it weren’t for my friends and family, I would have never made it through high school. And as bad as the Heathers were, they have nothing on the Lioness.
“Nisha,” Seth starts, eyes narrowed, jaw clenched. “You—”
“I’m done.” That’s what I am. Done being told what to do, done listening to this monster who calls herself my grandmother. Just done. I glare at Sekhmet. “You sit on your mighty throne, throwing stones. It’s easy, isn’t it? Finding other people’s flaws?” I smile bitterly. “Well, guess what? You aren’t perfect. Maybe it’s time you acknowledge your own faults.”
She studies me closely. “What are you saying, darling granddaughter?” She tries to sound casual, but the tremble in her voice is loud and clear.
“It’s time you see the whole picture.”
“Which is?”
Fine. I’ll spell it out for her. “I barely remember anything about the life you’re so eager to judge me for, but I know this: Nebt-Het loved Seth.” The conqueror’s eyes burn, but I ignore him or I won’t be able to say what needs to be said. “She would have given her life for him. All she ever wanted was to be with him. She didn’t care that he was mortal. But you and the other gods did. You forced him to do the Trials to have a shot at being with Nebt-Het. And when he came back, he was never the same.” I narrow my eyes at her. “If you want to punish me for falling in love thousands of years ago and following my heart, go right ahead. But make sure you reserve yourself a slaughter bank next to mine.”
“What is wrong with you?” Seth yells at me, fear hardening his jaw. “She’s going to—”
“Brave,” Sekhmet says, looking at me as if she’s never seen me before. “Brave and strong, just like you’ve always been.”
She sounds softer, sweeter. The calm before the storm, I presume. Any second, she’s going to call her demons and have me escorted to my gruesome end.
She moves toward her throne. “You have always been my favorite, Princess. When you were born, I saw the same fire in you that once lit my own chest. You were defiant yet loyal, loving yet fierce.” She pushes a ruby on her throne. The stone moves aside, exposing a hidden chamber.
“What are you saying?” I inquire, ready to be done with her.
She pulls out a golden dagger and approaches me. “I’m saying those who speak their mind in my presence, those who dare to tell the truth…” She lays the blade on my lap. “Deserve eternal life.”
I gape at the dagger, perplexed. Shocked. “But—”I thought you were going to kill me? I figured you’d slice me into pieces? I assumed you hated me for what I said?
Sekhmet squeezes my shoulders gently. “This belonged to your grandfather. You will need it in the next cavern.”
I don’t know what to say.
The Lioness turns to her throne and whispers foreign words. The golden seat crumbles, and its debris turns into a black, viscous liquid. “Carry on.” She lifts me out of the chair. “End your journey and come back home, my child. It’s
time.”
Seth takes my hand. “Let’s go,” he urges.
I walk, but my eyes are on the Lioness. She smiles, but I don’t trust her kindness. Something about her is off. If only I knew what rings my alarm bells.
“My love,” Seth whispers as we reach the water.
“Huh?”
“Do me a favor.” He blows out a pained breath. “Make sure you’re less Nebt-Het and more Nisha when you face him?”
I want to ask who, but I can’t. The odd substance circles my ankles, pulling me down.
The Primeval Waters
Chapter 42
Nisha
We’re floating in a sea of blackness. The substance, formless and without boundaries, is up to my chin.
“Just relax,” Seth says, holding my hand. “You won’t drown in nun.”
Nun. I’ve heard that word before. Mom used to talk about it. She said that nun, aka the primeval waters, had given birth to Ra and Apep, order and chaos, then everything else.
I let loose and drift like an astronaut. There’s no gravity, nothing holding me back. The problem is there’s no direction, either.
“Where are we supposed to go?” Not that we can pick our path; the water does that for us.
“Close your eyes and imagine your destination,” Seth says.
I’ve studied enough papyrus to picture The Chamber of Judgment—the gods, the scale, and Ma’at’s feather. Simple.
Seth beams at me as the liquid carries us. “Well done.”
His words are like balm to my soul. For once, I’m not failing. I made it through the worst and came out better. Came out with a spine.
We float through an endless sea of darkness toward my final judgment. I hold the dagger close to my heart, aware that things can go sideways fast.
Waves rise, building castles and clouds, turning into fields and skies. As quickly as they are created, they’re destroyed. What’s left is nothing but a gluey substance, reeking of chaos. Seth and I swim quietly beside each other, him holding my hand.
After some time, he looks up. There’s no sky, no stars. Just more of the same substance, keeping us afloat. “After this cavern,” he says softly, “you’ll be on your own.”
“I know.” My mom and dad taught me all about the final judgment of the ba or, as we call it, the soul. Everyone must face the scale and the gods alone, and there’ll be no negotiating after your heart is weighed against Ma’at’s feather. You’ll either pass on to the Field of Reeds or your ba will be devoured by the Soul Eater.
Seth squeezes my hand and says, “You have nothing to fear, my love.”
I wish I could share his positivity. Truth is, after everything I’ve learned in the Underworld, I have little faith in making it to the Field of Reeds. My heart, I have no doubt, is way heavier than a feather, and I don’t need a golden scale to determine that.
“Nisha, look at me. I have known you forever. I have watched you in every incarnation. There’s no heart purer than yours.”
“Did you forget I killed you?”
“How could I?” The pain in his voice is killing me. “But despite everything, you still loved me. You still—”
I’m grateful he doesn’t release those fatal words, because a part of me, and I can’t tell how big that part is, would possibly agree.
“It’s going to be okay,” he finally says, his confidence unshakable.
Houses rise from the darkness, only to crumble like old bread. It mirrors my insides perfectly. I feel stronger than ever, yet I’m shattering into tiny pieces.
“Seth? I need you to promise me something.” This isn’t negotiable.
“What is it?”
“Whatever happens, promise me Izzy will be okay.” I blink tears away. “You have to make sure she gets home safely, whether I succeed or not.”
It feels like forever until he whispers, “I promise.”
I’m aware it’s stupid to trust the enemy, the person responsible for all this. However, I’m 100 percent certain he doesn’t lie to me. I think he never has. As long as Izzy is okay, I don’t care what happens to me. Let the Soul Eater feast on my ba. Ceasing to exist, I can take. Losing another loved one? Not so much. “Thank you.”
The liquid starts to change. It’s more solid. For a second there, I think it’s going to harden around us, keeping us captive. Then it sinks. Below my waist. Below my knees. Until it’s a wobbly, pudding-like ground beneath my feet.
The dagger in my hand glows like a thousand suns, battling the blackness with unimaginable force. “What is happening?”
“Whatever you do, don’t agitate him.”
Here we go again with him. “Who—”
The cavern shakes.
Is this an earthquake? Are there earthquakes in the Underworld? If not, then—
A guttural groan thunders through the dark. The sound ripples through marrow and bone.
“What the—”
The ground trembles. Vertigo hits me and I sway from side to side. I’ve never been seasick, but I’m pretty sure this is how it feels. Kind of like you’re losing control while the world around you won’t stop moving. There’s no fixed point.
In the distance, I catch sight of a pair of big yellow eyes. The pupils are thin, perpendicular black slits. Jesus, this is… I shudder.
“Well, well,” the serpent hisses. “If that isn’t my dear brother’s favorite granddaughter.”
You don’t have to be a history geek to guess who that might be. Dear brother? Hello, Apep.
Seth is between us in a heartbeat, shielding me like a piece of unbreakable armor. “Don’t you dare speak to her,” he warns the mighty snake, aka Lord of Chaos. “You have no right to—”
“Quiet,” Apep roars. “This, son, is my kingdom, and I shall speak as I please.”
Seth fists his hands. “She’s of royal blood, and you ought to respect her.”
Apep’s laughter bursts my eardrum. “I am of royal blood as well, mundane. And you would do well to respect me.” He moves closer, his body still hidden in the shadows. “Now, little princess, why don’t you tell me how I deserved the honor of such exquisite company?”
“You don’t have to answer him,” Seth says over his shoulder. “You owe him nothing.”
“Yes, she does.” Apep sounds like he’s ready to cut flesh off bones. “She owes me an explanation as to why I shouldn’t rip her to pieces.”
Seth launches forward, but I pull him back. “It’s okay,” I whisper. “I can deal with it.”
“But—”
“I’ve got this. Trust me, okay?” Heck, I sound so convincing, I almost believe my own bullshit. Truth is I’m petrified, but I won’t let anyone else fight my battles. Not anymore.
“Fine.” Seth exhales sharply. “You’ve still got your golden ticket. I am allowed to help you once.”
“Tick tock,” Apep half sings. “We’re on the clock.”
I straighten my spine and hold my head high. “I’m here for the Trials.”
“Oh, I know,” Apep replies, bored. “I don’t see why I shouldn’t just smash you and lover boy.”
I’m tired of all this drama. I’ve had enough of hate-spewing creatures and quests. “You won’t touch us,” I state.
Apep snickers. “Is that so?”
“Yes,” I shoot back, holding up the glowing dagger.
The brilliant light is concentrated at Apep like a laser. It seems as if it recognizes the enemy instantly. “Stop,” Chaos barks. “Put that light away or—”
“Or what?” I taunt, holding it higher. “I have a feeling you can’t get too close to this light. How about you crawl back to where you came from and leave us be?”
Apep doesn’t come closer, but he isn’t retreating either. “I can certainly see why my brother favored you, Princess. You have the heart of a warrior and the mind of a goddess. No wonder he was ready to die for you,” the serpent says. “But I will tell you what I once told him: an ant can’t fall for a boot. Unless it seeks pain, that is.” H
e pauses, eyes glued to Seth. “Do you seek more pain? Because I can see who’s in her heart.” The serpent bursts into laughter. “And it isn’t you. It’s never been you.”
Fire radiates from Seth’s skin. He’s going to attack. I sense it in every fiber of my being. I also know it’s exactly what the creature seeks—chaos.
I won’t let him win. “Shut up,” I yell, inching forward, fearless. “You know nothing about my heart. How would you? You don’t possess one.”
Yellow eyes narrow. Guttural screams echo. I’ve poked the bear, and he’s all set to lash back. “You—”
“Stop!” I shout, wielding the dagger as if it were made for my hands. “You will retreat, or I will use my grandfather’s dagger to make you.” The moment I say it is the moment I understand I am Ra’s granddaughter. I can feel it in my bones. The energy of the dagger is so much like my own, I feel I’m home and loved. They say blood is drawn to blood, and I know exactly what that means. I’ve never seen Ra, but he is a part of me, like I’m a part of him.
“Easy.” Apep’s tone changes. It’s lighter, less hostile. “Let’s not pick a fight so early in our relationship, little princess.”
Relationship? He’s got to be high. “We—”
“You may pass the Primeval Waters,” he says, vanishing as quickly as he appeared.
“What was that?” I ask, somewhat dumbstruck at the anticlimactic disappearance of the most vicious monster in the Underworld.
Seth is next to me, scanning the darkness. “I don’t know, but….”
“What?”
“That was way too easy.”
“Agreed.” Something tells me we haven’t seen the last of him, and our next encounter won’t be as pleasantly quick as this one was.
Seth seizes hold of my elbow. “Let’s get you out of here before he changes his mind and comes back.”
I’m not going to argue with that. Apep is a force I don’t want to battle. Not now, not ever.
Ferryman and Other Underworldly Dilemmas
Chapter 43
Blaze
Book of the Dead (Gods of Egypt 2) Page 23
