Soul Reborn (Key to the Cursed Book 1) (23 page)

Lilly turned down
one hall after another, searching for an answer to her dilemma. She rubbed at
the ache in her chest that now seemed to spread all the way to her back. The
call to be at Asar’s side grew exponentially, so much so, the sensation made it
hard to breath. She leaned over, hoping it would relieve the pressure. It only
made it worse. She growled and punched the first thing that was closest to her.

The statue made up
entirely of alabaster crashed to the floor and fractured into several pieces.
She palmed a hefty piece of the marble ready to smash it against the wall. To get
a better grip she turned it over in her hands. A face of the goddess was carved
perfectly in the stone. Unsettled, Lilly dropped the head of the statue to the
floor and stepped back. Next to the statue enormous double doors arched to the
ceiling.

“Who makes doors
out of marble?”

She dropped the
piece and wiped her hands off on her leather pants. The white dust left streaks
on the front of her legs. She pushed with all her strength expecting sufficient
resistance. Perfectly balanced, the door rotated inward with little effort.

She stepped across
the threshold. The floor began to glow with an eerie golden cast. Hieroglyphics
lit up the entire expanse of the floor and walls.

“What the hell?” she
murmured, turning in a circle. There were paintings on the walls, showing
offerings to a goddess with a tall crown and white wings. Lilly was no stranger
to temples—her father had her crawling through them since she was old enough to
walk. This one was nothing like those in the human world. Most of those built
in the Old Kingdom had deteriorated over the millenniums, although they still
made impressive statements.

Lilly walked down
the long corridor lined with alabaster statues of gods on either side. She ran
her hand against the smooth surface of the white marble. Kendra would surely
know their names. Her booted footfalls echoed off the walls and ceilings,
breaking the tombed silence as she made her way to the center chamber.

He father’s
teachings echoed through her mind.
The inner temple was reserved for those
proven worthy to acquire higher knowledge and insight.
If this temple
mimicked the human Egyptian temples, she would soon enter the innermost chamber
that was reserved for the High Priest and Pharaoh. As suspected, she breached a
smaller room that contained an ornately carved wooden shrine running floor to
ceiling.

“Naos,” she said in
quiet recognition and ran her hand over the wood. It was the name her father
used for the shrine. An enormous white statue rested within its alcove.

“Mother Goddess!” Overcome
with shock, she knelt on the hard floor. Why would Asar have a temple dedicated
to the Mother Goddess? Why didn’t he tell her?

She focused on the two
weathered marks marring the glossy, white floor. The wear seemed out of place against
the highly polished surface. She looked up at the statue and then back down to
the marks. She shifted her knees so that they covered the marks exactly.
Someone had spent many hours prostrated in front of this very statue.

Her gaze traced the
familiar features of the goddess. The facial structure matched her own, but the
Mother Goddess’ hair had large curls cascading down to her waist, not unlike
Kendra’s spirals. Her body shape was very similar to Kit’s with long, lean
muscles flowing over a small waist and hips, unlike Lilly’s body which was more
curvy and athletic.

“God, she
is
our mother.” Her gaze came to rest on a stack of rolled parchments placed
neatly at the feet of the statue. On her hands and knees, she touched the
ostraca. Prayers submitted to the Mother of Gods. She took a deep breath and
opened one of the rolls, careful not to tear the flax.

The black ink on
the uppermost prayer roll smeared under her fingers. She withdrew one from the
bottom of the stack. The paper cracked as she attempted to unroll it. The
parchment was extremely brittle and dry, its ink faded. Afraid it may crumble
under the stress, she tenderly slid it back into its place.

“They are
beautiful, are they not?”

Lilly jumped at the
sound of the musical voice, scattering the ostracas across the hard slick
marble floor. Mortified, she scrambled to gather them all in her hands. “I’m so
sorry to intrude. I… I was just curious.”

She nervously tried
to organize the prayer rolls back into the stack, but to no avail. A strong
wave of energy shifted around her, just as strong as Asar’s, but with a gentler
eddy. Lilly swallowed back bile as the energy settled in right next to her.
Only when she felt a gentle touch did she dare peek at the whitest fingers she'd
ever seen resting on her shoulder. White as the room itself. Lilly followed the
pale skin up the length of the woman’s arm and came face to face with her own
reflection, green glowing eyes and blonde hair.

The Mother Goddess
touched Lilly’s blonde hair, and tucked it ever so lovingly behind her ear. The
fascination on the goddess’ face spread all the way to her brilliant green
eyes. “My Lilly. You have grown into a beautiful woman.”

Lilly couldn’t help
but sit back on her heels, her voice frozen in her throat. The energy that
rolled over her was like nothing she had ever experienced before. It had a
familiarity to it, but with several layers that were left to her imagination. Her
whole body trembled with a mix of fear and longing.

“There are so many questions
in those eyes of yours.” The Goddess pressed her warm lips to Lilly’s forehead,
and then pulled her off the floor into her embrace. “You are stronger than I
ever imagined in my dreams. Shemsu took good care of you and your sisters. I
regret not being able to raise you at my own hand, but I needed to keep you
safe, little one.”

Years of grief,
longing, and anger melted away with a single hug from her mother. Mother
Goddess’ heart pounded against her ear. Her mother was truly alive, a living
breathing goddess. So unlike Asar, whose heart only beat when she was in close proximity.

The Mother Goddess
pulled back and gave her the warmest smile. Lilly swallowed away the tightness
in her throat. “I don’t understand.”

“I asked Asar to
build it for me many centuries ago.”

“He never told me.”

“That is one of the
things I admire about Asar—he never breaks the rules. Well, until he met you.”

“What?”

The Mother Goddess waved
away Lilly's concern. “Do not be too hard on him. I told him to keep it the
utmost secret. He was just keeping his word.”

Lilly shook her
head. Although it disturbed her he kept the temple a secret, her mother’s last
statement bothered her the most. “He is breaking rules
with
or
for
me?”

The Mother Goddess
laughed again with her musical voice. “Oh, yes. With
and
for you, my
dear. It is really quite touching.” The goddess walked around the room, pulling
Lilly with her. Her face held admiration, as if she was viewing the paintings
for the first time. “Asar is such a complex man. When I asked him to build my
sanctuary, I never once imagined he would actually visit and pay homage. His
prayers were so genuine and sincere. I could not help but answer them.” She
stopped and turned to Lilly and cupped her chin.

“Those are Asar’s
ostracas?”
He
had worn down the stone while prostrated in prayer? It
seemed so out of character.

“Yes. He is such an
honorable man. I thought you would be the perfect answer to his prayers.” The
goddess smiled down on her. “He suffers you know, cursed with an appetite than
cannot be sated unless he devours the very thing he is sworn to protect. A
cruel joke handed down from his creator.”

“He told me since we've
been together, he hasn’t needed to feed on others.”

“You have more than
enough energy for the both of you.”

“Mother?” The word
slipped from Lilly’s lips seamlessly, as if it had been ordained. A flash of
joy glistened in the goddess’ eyes, which Lilly presumed to mean it was okay to
address her as such. “You mentioned that Asar is breaking rules?”

Her mother’s eyes
softened. “There has been segregation between the two Pantheons since the dawn
of time. Asar knew the minute my symbols graced your arms you were off limits
to him, but the draw for you two to be together is so strong that he would
rather face death than give you up.”

“Oh, my god.” Lilly
gasped. “But, he only wants to protect me and my sisters.”

The goddess laughed
again. “I would have not sent you to him if I could not change my own rules.”

“That’s why he left
me behind,” Lilly said, realizing his intentions. “It hurts to be away from
him. I need to protect him, as much as he wants to protect me.”

The Mother Goddess
pushed back the hair back from Lilly’s face again. “Why do you think I am here,
my child? I may agree with Asar on many things, but his survival is just as
dependent on yours. I worry for him. He is the only one who can defeat my
enemies. He needs your energy to maintain his strength and balance. He must
bring his beast to the surface to win.” The goddess’ eyes darkened and the
musical tone of her voice faded as she spoke further. “Menthu cursed the love of
my life to a horrible death.”

The stress of
betrayal and loss weighed heavy in her words. Lilly knew the Mother Goddess referred
to her father. “It was this god, Menthu, who cast a spell on the key to release
Kepi?”

Her mother nodded.
“He helped Kepi entomb the one god who could truly kill him.”

“Asar’s son.” Lilly
contemplated the ramifications. “Menthu is at Thebes, isn’t he?” That was the
only threat large enough for Asar to leave her behind.

“He is. As is
Kepi.”

Lilly shuddered,
fear gathering strength in her chest. Asar needed her. She looked into her
mother’s eyes. “Before her death, my Nehebkau mother said my sisters and I are
the key. I am the cure. What does that mean?”

The Mother Goddess
busied herself adjusting the pectoral necklace on Lilly’s neck, and brushed the
white marble power off her pants, just like a doting mother. “Ah, yes. She was
a very devote Shemsu. It pains me to know of her loss, but she will find her
rewards in the afterlife.”

Completely ignoring
Lilly’s question, her mother took on a very serious look. “This war will not
end tonight. It has only begun. It will only end when Asar’s son is recovered
and resurrected, and your sisters come of age with their powers. It is very
important that you do not sacrifice yourself to save your father. You must
promise me.”

“I promise.”

The goddess’ eyes welled
with tears. “Your father will find his peace. He would never forgive me if any
harm came to you because of him. He loves you very much and does not blame you
for his curse.” She hugged Lilly tight against her chest, like a mother
cradling a child. After several moments, the Mother Goddess relaxed her arms
and wiped the tears that had fallen down her pristine cheeks. “Now, you must
gather the human Nehebkau. I will transport you to their compound. The
huntresses are awaiting your leadership. Take your sisters with you. Please
give them these.” The Goddess disappeared in a cloud of white vapor. In Lilly’s
hand lay two identical pectoral necklaces, identical to the one that hung from
her own neck.

“Lilly?” Kit called
out from the outer chamber. The sound of rushed footfalls echoed through the
corridor to the innermost chamber.

“How did you know I
was here?”

“Ah, I don’t know,"
Kit drawled, as she walked in wide circles. "I thought I felt your presence
somehow and followed it.”

Kendra appraised
the room in a more analytical fashion. “Do you realize whose temple this is?
See the symbols on the walls. It’s the domain of the Mother Goddess. Egyptians
believed that the god actually lived within the sanctity of the innermost
chamber.”

Lilly smiled,
grabbing her younger sister by the shoulders. “Well, I can confirm that to be
true. I just met our long lost mother. She asked me to give you both these.”

Kendra’s eyes
widened. Lilly placed it around her neck. Her little sister bounced on the
balls of her feet. Kit, on the other hand, scowled as if she had just been
asked to eat a scarab. Regardless, Lilly put it over her head.

“Whatever!” Despite
her trying to look discrete, Lilly caught Kit peering up at the statue with a
look of wonder on her face. After making eye contact with her, Kit frowned. "Here's
your stuff," she said, and held out Lilly’s weapons belt.

“How did you know
to bring that with you?”

Kit shrugged. “I
figured you'd find a way off this rock. You always do.”

“Well, are you ready
for our ticket out of here?”

“Ready as we always
are. Flying by the seat of our leather thongs.”

Lilly grabbed Kit and
Kendra’s hand, and signaled them to complete the circle. “Time to show these
gods how it’s really done.”

The flood of revens
was just as Bomani had expected, a major annoyance. Decaying human body parts
were strewn across the parade grounds once used during the ancient festivals to
carry the statues of gods in a procession through the city streets. The once
grand monuments were now just piles of crumbled stone and dust.

He led the center
charge into the ancient city. As their commander, he wanted it no other way. He,
like his fellow warriors, was conjured from the depths of the sacred river in
Aaru. In the legion honor and respect was earned not granted. Not until Bomani
rose to the top did Asar reveal the truth of his conception. The God of the
Underworld had sired Bomani with his own blood, and thus bore himself a son to
lead his legion. A secret kept amongst a trusted few.

God-like power
flowed through Bomani’s soul, powering his large body to administer blow after
powerful blow. Killing fed the dark part of himself, but this was effortless
slaughter. After a millennium of stagnation, he thirsted to confront a
formidable foe. Instead, he squashed the equivalent of bugs.

He swore in the
ancient tongue as more revens made their way around and through the scaffolding
humans were using to restore the decaying structures. The ground shook in the
distance. The commander presumed Asar was making his way toward the Precinct of
Mut. If it went as he planned, Nehebkau’s army would be flanking their position
to the south and his second-in-command to the north. Kamen? Well, he had seen
flashes of him and the carnage he left behind. It was always best to keep a
healthy distance away from him in his altered state.

With the
battlefield effectively secured, Kepi and Menthu would have nowhere to run. Bomani
cursed again, slicing through several revens. He would rather battle true warriors
than obedient fodder.

The next rumble was
not within the ground but from the heavens. Black shapes approached in the sky
at a distance. A familiar energy electrified the air around him. So familiar that
he had difficulty believing he sensed it.

“Goddess Lilly.” Damn,
if that woman was not the most stubborn and resourceful human. He could see why
Asar chose her as a mate. Pushing through the swarm of revens, he jumped up
onto the closest sphinx and held up his sword. The strange birds headed to a
flat location along the hillside, not far from where he stood. Pale shapes slid
down long ropes thrown from the hovering bird. The second black bird swung low
over the parade ground.

From the side door
of the helicopter blonde hair swirled in the wind. Bomani laughed. The bird
skimmed low and slow enough that the revens picked up on its heat signature and
drew them toward the waiting human Nehebkau huntresses. The metal creature flew
back around and hovered in the air just above Bomani’s head. He raised his hand
to shield his eyes from the sand kicked off the ground around him. Lilly, Kit
and Kendra jumped out of the machine into the horde of dark warriors that had
formed to see the strange flying machine.

Lilly walked up to
him and smiled.

Bomani shook his
head. “I will not ask how you got here, but I know it was not Nebt.”

She held out her
arm for him to shake. He hesitated as it was forbidden but relented in the end,
giving her arm a hearty grasp. Bomani bowed to Kit. His eyes shifted over the
littlest sister. During the raid on the safe house he had only seen Kendra for
a few brief seconds. Her reddish brown hair fell in large coils down to her
waist and framed the most angelic face with big brown eyes. She looked no more
than a hundred pounds. He towered over her.

Kendra bounced up
and gave him a grand smile which radiated genuine warmth. “Hi, I’m Kendra. I
never had a chance to thank you for saving my life.”

She held out her
hand. Bomani held back the chuckle that almost escaped his chest. Rather than
insult the demi-goddess, he gingerly reached for her forearm. His massive hand
wrapped around it entirely, and a strange warmth spread through his arm at the
contact. He consciously lightened his grip for fear of breaking her thin bones.
Her small thumb brushed lightly over his raised tattoos, sending small shocks
skittering across his skin. Amazing, since his body was usually so numb from
his scarifications.

She looked up at
him with the most innocent way. For how small she was, there was no fear in her
eyes. He would have expected some anxiety, considering he must look like a
monster to her. At least, that is how he thought he looked next to something so
pure. He could not contain himself any longer and let out a hearty laugh. “It
is an honor to meet you, goddess Kendra.”

The crowd of his
dark warriors began to part. He looked over her shoulder. Over two hundred huntresses
entered the grounds.

“Try and control
yourself now,” Lilly chided.

Bomani glanced briefly
at the huntresses. Although his warriors were enthralled, he much preferred to
look at Kendra, who he still held in his grasp. She smiled warmly again. He
reluctantly loosened his grip. Oddly, the warmth remained in his body after
they separated.

He scrubbed his
hand over his skull trimmed hair in an attempt to shake off the sensation.
Unfettered, he turned back to Asar’s mate. “A lot has happened since our last
encounter.”

“You could say
that. The Nehebkau huntresses are at your disposal to take care of the
infestation here. Kit will direct them, as you see fit. I’m sure there are
bigger fish to fry deeper into the city.”

Several low rumbles
emanated from the dark warriors as the scantily clad women armed with various
weapons formed up in front of the commander. “Thank the gods,” Bomani said.

Kit punched him in
the arm. “I thought you’d like them.”

Bomani nodded,
although not for the reason Kit was insinuating. Now someone else could sweep
up the mess of revens. He could fight with a more equitable foe. Menthu’s
soldiers or even Menthu himself, if he got the chance. “I stand relieved,
goddess Kit. I will leave a few warriors out here at your disposal and to watch
over goddess Kendra.”

“I will watch
them,” a deep voice growled from behind a large sandstone wall. Kamen stepped
around the corner, surprising the hell out of Bomani. The god’s chin, neck, and
bare chest were covered in black blood. Menthu's soldiers. Kamen must have
smelled the Carrigan sisters—or more specifically, one
particular
sister—from
a great distance away.

Kit scowled. “Damn
it, Kamen. I don’t need someone to hold my hand.” She stomped her way back to
the Nehebkau’s formation with Kamen a few steps behind. Bomani stiffened. No
one talked to Kamen that way without losing a limb, but apparently different
rules applied to the middle Carrigan sister. Shit, a lot of rules did not apply
to these three. Despite his reservations, the human women were an unexpected diversion
from traditional roles of women in the legion. They served no one and could
fight with the best of them.

Clearing his
throat, he turned back to Lilly. “Maybe I can invite the huntresses to Aaru for
a celebration when this is over? And your sisters?” His eyes gravitated to
Kendra.

Lilly laughed. “Only
if you behave yourselves.”

Bomani bowed and
waved his hand out in front of him. “Care to join me, Madame.”

“Of course.”