Darkness Unbound

by Zoe Forward

  “Keep the weapon. ’Tis from Osiris’s Kingdom, which means it will serve its purpose for you as a magi. You need not forge another. Like Zannis’s blade, this will injure anyone not of pure god-blood descent who attempts to touch it.”

  “Would you answer one question for me? I know it might be an imposition, but…”

  Seth inclined his head. “One.”

  “Why couldn’t I die as a human?”

  “You are not human born.”

  “What does that mean? I’m an alien?”

  He smiled. The corners of his eyes crinkled. “Neither of your parents was human.”

  “Janet Scarre wasn’t my mother?”

  He screwed up his face. “I would never…not with that human. I am sorry that she was your designated human mother. She was a poor example of the human race.”

  The weight of years of running from the inevitability of becoming a drug addict or failure lifted. “Then…” She chewed at her inside cheek. “Who was my mother?”

  Seth sighed and perched at the opposite end of the wooden bench, resting his sword against the free weight rack. He pinched his nose. “Your mother is Taurt. The goddess.” He rocked back and stared at the ceiling. “Taurt and I were together just once.” His gaze darted to Astrid. “I do not regret you. You make me proud. Taurt was the stronger of the two of us to stand up to Nephthys—my wife. Nephthys did not handle your conception well. My union to Nephthys during its best moments has been contentious, and after many millennia we never saw each other. When Taurt stood up to her, it was a glorious moment. Taurt exists to protect women with child, and newborns. She would not allow Nephthys to destroy you as was her plan, but was powerless to prevent Nephthys from cursing you to the Human Realm and into human form.”

  “Both my parents are Egyptian gods…and I was cursed by your goddess wife? What does that mean for me being here since I’m not exactly human?”

  “I am not sure now that you are a magus. You have pure god blood in your veins, but must remain within the Human Realm. No human or human weapon can kill you. A god could perhaps kill you, but few would defy Amun-Ra.” He smiled wickedly. “Few seek conflict with me. There is but one way for you to die.”

  “The way Amun-Ra prevented.”

  Seth nodded.

  “Do I have abilities other than those I know of?”

  Seth slowly grinned. “You may be trapped human, Astrid, but all you need to do is reach within yourself to do just about anything you put your mind to.”

  “Thank you.” She hugged him and kissed him on the cheek.

  Color highlighted Seth’s cheeks. He shifted as if uncomfortable.

  She scooted back to her side of the bench. “I know you didn’t need to help me or tell me all this. Why?”

  He shrugged. “The god of war’s daughter cannot be anything less than kickass. I can see why Amun-Ra liked you.”

  Astrid’s face heated. “This is just…no one will believe this. Maybe I can work on this new skill and prove to the guys that I can defend myself now. Then they won’t be hung up on me being the pregnant chick.”

  “Your birth history must remain unknown to the magi. No magus need be concerned for your safety, but watch your weakness.” He paused and pointed at her when she smiled. “Do not let your ego get the better of you.”

  “Will you come back? Can you visit again? Perhaps, just…visit.” Somehow, regardless of the fact he was a god, she needed to know her father.

  He nodded. “I would like that.” And disappeared.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Astrid chose the seat at the formal dining table next to Julie. Don’t look at him, she ordered herself. War ensued in her brain between her will and desire. Kane had claimed a chair across from her a few people down. She sensed his gaze. The past forty-eight hours since she bumped into him had been torture. Even now, she shifted to alleviate the sudden uncomfortable heat causing sweat to break out between her shoulders. Involuntarily, her eyes darted his way. He met her glance before shifting focus to the pasta piled on his plate. The tension in his jaw suggested he was wound tight. She couldn’t get any read on him mentally.

  She shared a conspiratorial smile with Julie. “How’d those shoes work?”

  Julie closed her eyes. “Mmmm. Amazing. But he hasn’t seen them yet.” Her eyes darted to Eric seated next to her, who balanced their six month-old in the crook of his left arm.

  Eric scowled. “Haven’t shown me what?”

  “Astrid took me shopping this afternoon. Brief trip. No danger. We went to New York for about two hours. I found these fabulous heels.” Julie rubbed his forearm. Her tone dropped to a husky whisper. “I know how much you like heels.”

  Eric leaned in to kiss her. He pulled back and asked Ashor, “How long is this dinner going to take?”

  Ashor’s gaze narrowed.

  Kira replied, “Until after dessert. Rick has been slaving all day. We’re all going to enjoy it.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Eric shoveled a forkful of fettuccini into his mouth.

  “You went shopping? Where?” Christian asked.

  “I needed clothing,” Astrid explained. “Julie helped me practice opening a doorway. I proved I can go somewhere the other person wants.” She discovered she could travel to a place the other person envisioned.

  “Please tell me you didn’t purchase any new uni-bras,” Christian replied with a disdainful sigh.

  “As much as I appreciate the items you selected, I needed training clothes. I prefer not to flash my boobs at Javen all the time.”

  Do what? Kane’s growl entered her mind.

  You mind that he looked? Astrid met his hot gaze across the table.

  Kane glowered at Javen.

  Astrid bit back a smile, pleased that Kane accepted their mental pathway. And that he cared.

  Javen toasted his red wine glass toward Kane and winked.

  “Boob flashing can be a useful distraction during fights, or so I’ve heard,” Christian said.

  Astrid bit back a fuck you.

  Christian threw back his head and laughed.

  Julie smiled at Shay. “We went to the city. You’ve got to come next time.”

  “You didn’t end up in hell again?” Shay asked.

  Julie shook her head. “I think she’s got it figured out. Maybe we can catch a show in the city next time.”

  “Tomorrow?” Shay’s eyes danced with excitement. “I’m desperate for a change of scenery.”

  “We’ll see,” said Astrid as she heaped tomato and mozzarella salad onto her plate.

  “You will be safe,” Dakar growled.

  Javen added, “If Astrid’s going with them, you’ve got nothing to worry about.” He met Ashor’s gaze. “She’s ready for the Trial.”

  “What?” Nate sputtered. “She’s been at this like what? A month?”

  “She could send your ass into your next incarnation. You’re still not ready,” Javen said. “Ashor, she can do it. I can’t teach her any more. She’s…uh…she’s got it.” His gaze met Astrid’s.

  Don’t you dare mention Seth’s visit to anyone. He wouldn’t like that, she thought hard to Javen. She hadn’t told Javen everything, but he had wrangled from her how she’d learned to stop time.

  Javen nodded.

  “Tomorrow morning,” Ashor declared. “If you’re not ready, Astrid, then let’s not. I don’t want you getting hurt.”

  “I’ll be fine,” Astrid said before taking a bite of tomato salad. She closed her eyes, in love with the tangy balsamic dressing. “Wonderful dressing.”

  Kira beamed and winked toward Rick, the housekeeper, cook, butler, and general everything caretaker who flitted around in the shadows.

  “What’s this Trial thing?” Kane asked, concern lacing his tone.

  Ashor finished chewing and wiped his mouth. “It’s a rite of passage. The final step to prove you could face a daemon solo.”

  “What exactly does she have to do?” Kane’s jaw clinched tight.

 
; “Kick my ass,” Ashor replied.

  “Sounds like fun,” Astrid murmured.

  ****

  “We’re doing this thing outside?” Astrid stomped behind Javen. She shouldn’t have worn the new tactical boots she’d purchased in New York yesterday. The way her big toe rubbed guaranteed a mega blister.

  “Ashor likes big spaces for this,” Javen replied. He led to the open pasture beyond the manicured back yard.

  “It’s hot enough out here to fry an egg.” She wiped sweat off her forehead and bit her tongue against another complaint. Damn, she was bitchy. She hadn’t slept. Overnight fantasies of Kane had tortured her mind whenever she dropped into light sleep. So, she’d avoided sleep by watching reality TV reruns all night. Exhausted, she’d choked down decaf coffee and toast a half hour ago, which incited a heave-feast.

  Javen halted next to the congregation of the other magi. He whispered, “You sure you’re up to this. You look…”

  “What? I look what?” She was pissy enough to punch him just for the pointing out she looked like crap.

  Javen’s eyes widened. No doubt he’d eavesdropped inside her head. He mumbled, “Nothing.” He cleared his throat. “Just do your thing. But be warned that Ashor might get really pissed when you do.”

  “What does that mean? What does Ashor do when he gets pissed?”

  “He gets mean.”

  “Great. I’m feeling meaner today.” She stalked past the boys, several of whom threw her familiar skeptical looks. No highly trained male soldier believed a woman could kick his butt. He might profess he did or be amused by the thought, but realistically he thought himself superior.

  You got this, Bella, Kane encouraged.

  Except Kane. God, she loved him. She had decided to stop denying the fact last night during her TV marathon. She granted him a weak half-smile.

  As she marched toward Ashor, she reminded herself she’d kicked Kane’s butt more than a few times during training before he believed in her.

  I’ve been wanting to kick Ashor’s ass for about eight months, ever since he punched me, Kane said in her head.

  He punched you? With a smooth glide, the sword Seth gifted her slid from its scabbard. She tossed the sheath into the grass.

  “Where’d you get that piece?” Ashor asked. His long hair was tied back. He wore workout pants and a T-shirt, which only highlighted the fact he outweighed her by at least two hundred pounds.

  “Let’s just get this over with. Do we have rules? What exactly equals a win?” Heartburn fired beneath her ribcage. She inwardly cursed its bad timing and resisted the urge to pound over her ribcage.

  Ashor eyed the sword again. “We are not allowed to kill each other. The last one standing wins, unless one of us surrenders.”

  “Great.” Astrid faced off several feet away.

  Ashor asked low such that no one else could overhear, “You sure, Astrid? I don’t want you to put yourself at risk.”

  Anger disconnected her brain from her mouth. “What? You scared Amun-Ra will make another appearance and kick your ass if you cause me to lose my baby?”

  Ashor paled. “Fuck, yeah. There’s also no way if Kira was…you know, pregnant…there’s just no way I’d let her do anything like this.” Ashor glanced to Kane.

  “For Christ’s sake, I’m fine. I’m fucking fine. I don’t need Kane’s goddamned permission to kick your ass. He’s not my…why won’t any of you believe me?” She swallowed bile tickling the back of her throat. Okay, maybe she wasn’t in perfect fighting condition right now, but pride kept her spine rigid.

  Ashor waved a hand at her. “You look—”

  “Go to hell.” Astrid lunged.

  By the time she reached Ashor he’d withdrawn his long black blade curved sword and blocked her thrust with enough force that her molars snapped together. She worried that she might’ve cracked one. She spun away, tongue swiping her teeth in relief that they remained intact.

  Her forearm shrieked in pain. How were they supposed to fight and not kill each other? The wariness on Ashor’s face shot her pissed off into the stratosphere. He planned to toy with her. Fuck that. She ran at him, holding her sword two-handed and just as he began to swing she reached for the energy deep within. Everything around her super slowed. Now she had a few moments to think about her plan. Based on her brief practice with Javen, she could only do this slow-down trick about two or three times before it depleted her energy to the point she wanted a nap. Therefore, she needed to make this moment good. The fury pounding in her head pushed her to fight dirty.

  Yet, that was wrong. She took a deep breath to clear the haze of anger. She could easily crush Ashor’s nose, break his arm, and stab him anywhere she wanted. Or kill him. This ridiculous exhibition was to prove that she could do that. Not that she would. If she proved herself to them, then perhaps they’d get off her back. With a frustrated snort, she dropped her sword onto the grass and dug her cherry red lipstick from her pants. She applied it liberally to her lips. Then drew a wide line across Ashor’s throat. Just to make her point she kissed him on the cheek. She snatched her sword and walked a few feet out of his sword’s reach, and returned the world to real time.

  Ashor spun, his scimitar hitting only air. He regained his balance and circled until he located her.

  Astrid picked at her nails and then glanced up. “Gotcha.”

  Javen yelled, “You got a big red lipstick line across your throat.”

  Khyan asked, “How’d you do that, Astrid?”

  “I told you she was good,” Javen said. “She’s a zillion times faster than me.”

  Ashor wiped a forefinger across his throat and examined the lipstick. He glowered.

  Astrid pivoted, assuming this was over. She walked toward Kane, drawn by that indefinable magnetism.

  Duck! Kane yelled.

  Astrid dropped and rolled. Fuck no, that crazy bastard did not try to strike my back.

  She popped upward and slowed everything to a stop again. Everything around her halted, except her. She strolled up to Ashor, and face planted a direct crunch into his nose. She moved left and allowed time to resume. Ashor howled but to his credit didn’t stop coming at her. She slowed time again, nut kicked him and punched his face four times. Her fist hurt when she was done.

  Ashor went to his knees. Anger revved deep and energized her. Without needing to slow time, she kicked his chest and punched his face one more time with a gratifying crunch. A final head lock cut off his oxygen, which he tried to shake but she didn’t release until he passed out.

  Is that enough of an ass kicking? she asked Kane as she stepped away from Asher.

  Out loud Kane said softly, “Yeah, that oughtta do it.”

  A flash in her periphery caught her eye. Seth stepped from an area of dense foliage a hundred yards away. He announced, “Just thought I would check in.” His eyebrows shot up. “It looks like you are not in need of assistance.”

  “Unless you’ve got the cure for morning sickness.” She sauntered his way.

  Seth held up a packet of saltines.

  Astrid rolled her eyes. “Gee, thanks.”

  Seth grinned.

  Another flash of light and Mr. Blue-hair appeared. Astrid wondered if he was about to impart another whopper life-altering decree.

  Amun-Ra scowled. “Seth, you were to give her a nudge, not…” He waved at Ashor. “Allow that.”

  Seth smiled proudly. “She is a fast learner. Most of that she figured out herself.”

  Amun-Ra signaled for her to approach. Once close, he latched onto her forearm with a crushing grip, and whirled to pull her such that the other magi could not see him speak. “You are not to kill the magi.”

  Astrid peered at Ashor who was now attended to by Kira. “He’s in good hands.”

  “Kira cannot fix that energy boost you shot into him.” Amun-Ra shook his head. “You did not even know, did you?” He clucked and addressed Seth. “How can I trust her in this realm? Out of control and unable to rein in her powe
rs? She is too strong. Too wild and unpredictable.”

  “What energy boost?” Astrid asked.

  Seth asked, “Astrid, did you intend to kill Ashor?”

  “No. I was a bit upset when he came at my back. That’s…well, that was bad form on his part.”

  Seth raised his eyebrows at Amun-Ra as if that explanation was enough.

  Amun-Ra waved at Ashor who suddenly sat up. “I repaired him. It is not his time to depart this realm. But I repeat, Astrid, you are forbidden to kill our magi.”

  “If none of them tries to kill me or anyone I care about, then I’m not gunning for them. They pushed me into doing that Trial thing.” Astrid gripped the handle of the sword tightly, but realized it would probably be useless against either of these gods.

  Seth chuckled.

  Amun-Ra asked, “Did not Ma’at make you vow to uphold her rules?”

  What rules? Astrid thought. She bit her lip and tried to recall that day. “She said some things to me, but we kind of skipped the rules part. I didn’t vow anything with regard to rules. I pissed her off and then she knocked me out after tattooing me.”

  Seth mumbled, “Sounds like you got on with her about as well as I do.”

  Amun-Ra scowled at Seth.

  “What?” Seth shrugged. “She’s an uptight bitch who’s always lecturing me.”

  Amun-Ra pointed at Astrid. “Do you understand the conundrum you have placed me in? A goddess trapped in this realm, now aware of her abilities but out of control. Yet, pregnant with a prophesied child. With my luck you will be like…” He waved at Seth.

  Seth tied the laces on his billowy-sleeved pirate shirt. “I have not wreaked much havoc recently. Perhaps a few scuffles, a bit of cyber war, a few natural disasters. Humans need reminding that they are not gods from time to time, despite their best attempts to pretend they control their fate.”

  Astrid said, “I am not out of control. I might need some pointers on how to contain whatever power you refer to. Right now I’m hormonal and sleep deprived. I wasn’t really in the best state to be doing this fight thing today.”

  Amun-Ra crossed his arms over his chest. “Tell me why I should not kill you now.”

  She laughed and patted her abdomen. “I have a feeling you’d like to see him born. Sounds like he’s got some sort of prophesy to fulfill. Care to fill me in on that one?”