Balance (Book 9 )
Chapter 21

I cannot continue teleporting in the underworld. Anubis is too quick and watches where I go. The death knights were ordered to take the living who bowed to Ra. I am going about this all wrong. I should be in the realm of the living, not the dead. It will be harder for Anubis to replace me among the living. I will bring the death knights to me.

I teleported to a heavily populated city and began slicing down humans. They began to scream and beg for mercy.

“No mercy shall come. Bow to Ra or die!” I growled. My growl came from deeper within me. The sound of it gave me chills. I must show I am in no mood for games. I was desperate to replace my preditor before Anubis stopped me.

Dozens of humans and vampires began kneeling. Black shapes darted among them, teleporting the living out of danger.

Do not look at, speak to, or touch a death knight, or your soul will become mine.

I stood in the city street, wondering what I have done. Breaching the contract will give them permission to take my soul. I am only allowed simple glimpses during the cleansing of the world.

I did not follow them with my eyes. As they passed, I looked for certain characteristics. They all look the same. Even if I found the one who would take my soul, I am uncertain how to resist him. It did not matter. I am dead anyway if I do not fight. I would rather fight for my life than to sit back and die.

I cannot simply start a war with the species. Even though they work as a team, it seems the contract is only between one soul and one knight. It would be foolish to attack every knight I saw to replace the one who would take my soul.

As they passed by harvesting the living, I began to see their red eyes look into mine. They noticed I am alone. My chest began to feel heavy. Anubis’s warning ran clear in my mind. They want your soul, Anput. What have I done? I have never acted so foolishly in my entire existence.

Gabriel appeared by my side. I hoped it was Anubis I looked at; however, I suspected it was the imposture who stood before me. I took Life and began to battle him.

The Death knights stopped their harvest and surrounded us. Gabriel wordlessly fought me and ignored the death knights around us. I knew the one called Kyle respects my husband, and Anubis would not clearly deny he was in command of the army. I am uncertain if I fight my husband or the imposture. There is only one way to be sure.

“You must stop fighting me, Lara. Allow me to protect you.”

Gabriel’s fighting style is similar to Anubis’s fighting style; however, his attacks are softer than Anubis’s. This is the imposture. I know my husband’s attacks intimately. I am certain this is not him.

I began to fight harder and increased my strength. This imposture will die. Gabriel’s eyes glowed with surprise as he fought for control.

The ground groaned and shook as jackals began to emerge. Perhaps my husband sent his jackals to help me. I had forgotten not all the jackals are loyal to Anubis.

One of the jackals thrust his spear and impaled me from the back. Gabriel attacked with his sword. I felt his blade sweep across my belly.

I pulsed my power, sharpening its strength. The jackals howled, and Gabriel flew back. The death knights were not affected by my burst of power and quickly closed the gap around me. Their gauntlet hands stretched outward to claim my soul.

I could feel the tugging in my chest. It locked my airways. Life hummed in my hand, reminding me of its power.

Gabriel recovered and moved between the knights. This is my chance! I took control of my fear and slowed my heart rate. My soul will not leave unless the knight touches me. I charged Gabriel with a scream and forced him to block my attack. His body shifted, and I used my momentum to knock him off balance, then ran past him and the army of jackals and knights.

I will not win this fight. There are too many of them. I must bottleneck the army until I am able to safely leave. As I passed the last knight, a piercing pain began burning in my side and chest. My curse is coming to claim me.

Humans screamed and ran as I ran past them with the jackals screaming their war cries following me. I ran into a building and began defending myself in the doorway. The jackals reached me first and began their signature attacks. I pulsed power once again and attacked those that did not retreat. The jackals did not thrust their spears with the speed I knew they were capable of. They do not willingly follow the imposture. They are only under the imposture’s command. The death knights slowly wove their way through the jackal army.

“Take her!” I heard Gabriel say.

The tug in my chest increased and blocked my airway once again. I slammed the door and ran toward the back exit of the building. My wounds are not healing as they should. I held my stomach together as I ran. I must replace Anubis. He is the only way I will live, if he does not take my life for this. I heard the front door open as I teleported to Anubis’s throne room.

My god and king sits on his throne, looking more magnificent and deadly than ever. His green eyes showed the rage he must feel. I felt ashamed of my actions and desperate for his love.

Anubis studied the human body in his youth, and through his knowledge, he gave the ancient Egyptians the gift of embalming to preserve the human body. He will know how to heal these wounds I have suffered.

Anubis saw the blood and gore on my body and quickly left his chair. He did not embrace me or even change into Gabriel to speak to me. His anger spoke volumes to me.

Fear struck my heart, and I was unsure what to expect. I stepped back from him and prepared myself to flee if he attacked me. Perhaps I should replace a place to stay and allow my body to heal on its own. My curse only slows the healing process.

Anubis’s green eyes pierced mine, and I froze to my spot. My mind refused to command my body to flee. He gently moved my hand away from my stomach to inspect the wound, then looked over the rest of my body. The hole in my side is still visible and bleeding. I suffered several attacks from the spear. None of them are lethal; however, they are still bleeding.

Anubis changed into Gabriel’s form then spoke to me. “Lay on the floor.” His voice sent a chill through me. He is truly upset with me.

“Forgive me, husband. I should not have run from you.”

“Do not make me tell you again, Anput!” The throne room vibrated from his command, and a pulse of power concussed from him.

The sharpness of his voice made me flinch. I quickly laid on the floor and closed my eyes. I could not bear to see his disappointment.

He ripped my clothing off then left me lying on the cold floor nude. He was only gone for a moment. When he returned, he held a box of surgeon tools.

Gabriel quickly began sewing the wounds closed. I could feel his comforting power flow though the string as he worked. I have watched the vampire labor in his work in the past. He is beautiful when he is concentrating. I will not look at him this time. I fear I will only see disappointment and anger. Speaking to him will only anger him further. I must wait for him to approach me before I can ask for forgiveness.

Anubis gently rolled my body over once he finished his work on my stomach then began closing the wounds on my back. Tears began to fall as I realize my time with my family is quickly running out. My gift to them will be to finish my task so they may live. I am uncertain if I will truly replace a way to end the death knight’s contract. I am determined to deny his pleasure. I would rather die than to be enslaved in any fashion. Anubis and Kebachet will have to forgive me for not being with them. I will ensure my soul dies before the death knight can claim it.

Once Gabriel finished his work, he gently picked my body up and teleported to our home. The gentleness in his touch told me he still loved me. He is only in too much pain to speak. I wanted to tell him how much I loved him and how foolish I was. Speaking to him will only anger him further. Now more than ever. I wish he was connected to me. He would be able to hear my thoughts and understand my pain.

Gabriel placed me in the bathtub and began filling the tub with warm water. I risked looking into his eyes and regretted it. Anguish and pain glowed in his beautiful eyes. I caused this. He warned me I would not heal as I normally would. He told me each time I was wounded, it would bring me closer to my death.

I stole my life from him. I have wounded him more than I can understand. It is plain to see his pain is very real.

I reached up to caress the side of his face. He gripped my hand and held me to him.

“I am so sorry.”

“Tell me what happened.” He said as he began washing the blood from my body and hair. His hands worked magic on my skin. I wanted to take in the moment and enjoy his love.

“I grow frustrated with the bounty over my head. I thought to replace the knight and kill it. I knew you would not allow me to replace them. You commanded me to stay away from them. I will no longer hide behind my family while the knights take my soul little by little. I disobeyed you to correct my predicament.

“I left the underworld and went to a populated city to bring the death knights to me. The one who comes in your likeness commands the death knights and your army. He came to me to claim my soul. He wielded a great sword that had a white halo and burned with fire. The jackals surprised me with their attack, and the imposture sliced me with his sword. It was then I knew I was outnumbered and must return. I retreated and teleported to your throne.

“Anubis, I acted foolishly, and it cost us dearly. I have no words to explain my actions.”

“You become rash when you become desperate. You have been this way since your birth. I have been there to counsel you against foolish decisions in the past. You are not connected to me. The death knights have taken that part of you. You only act as you should.”

Gabriel helped me from the tub and handed me a towel.

“I know of the sword you speak of. It was one my mother held in her treasure room. This imposture must know my parents. I will go to Set and replace out what he knows.”

“The earth must be our priority. I must finish my task.”

“You are done, Anput. Kebatchet will finish.”

“No! Please do not do this to me. This is my task.” I knew my outburst would anger him. It is a weakness to beg for mercy. I did not care. I must complete my task. I felt I would die if I could not.

“You are finished, Anput. You do not trust me, and I cannot trust you. The next time the death knights appear may be your last.”

“Then it is my last. I am dead anyway. I will not hide from my enemy.” I said forcefully. I calmed my heart and chocked back my grief then I reached out to touch his muscular arm. “Master of my heart, your love for me is not enough to protect me from what comes.”

I could see his body shift. He knew I spoke the truth. His green eyes lifted to meet mine. They looked defeated and mournful.

“You may be reckless at times; however, your wisdom has never failed. It brings me joy to know you continue to fight. I should know better than to trap you.” His hand caressed my lips as he gave me a gentle kiss.

“My love for you is deep, husband.”

“Give me your word you will call the jackal who gave you the medallion.”

“I will call him whenever I am not by your side.”

“Good. The group of jackals sent to you are my most trusted. They would be considered my elite; however, they do not possess extra strength or power. They gave you a gift I did not expect them to give.”

“The medallion?”

“It is his heart. Break it and the jackal dies. He will not have a choice but to follow your command. If you told him to kill me, he would attack me with the intent of killing me.”

“You are his God.”

“You hold his heart. You are his god now.”

“Are you upset he defected?”

“He did not defect. He is still loyal to me. You only command him.”

“I am honored. I have to words.”

“I feel comfort knowing you are protected. I must manage the jackals and kill the ones who are not loyal.” I knew that would not be an easy thing for him to do. He cared deeply for his creations.

“Would it be easier if I did it?”

“No. It is my burden. You have wounded your son. You should become familiar with his scent, as well.”

“Anubis, please hear me. I do not wish anyone knowing how to gain my trust. You are the only one I wish to allow in my life right now. Please keep Kebachet away from me. There is something not right about all of this.”

“Then it shall be done. Stay in this room until I come for you.” The room closed up and became silent. “I will come in my true form only. No one can break my power over this room. If you need me, call out my name.”

“Thank you, master of my heart.”

“All will be well, wife.” He said as he embraced me. It seemed he said it as much for him as for me. My ears could hear the quickening of his heart. He is as afraid as I am. My strong god is slowly losing his battle with his torment. His warmth and love left as quickly as it came when he released me then left the room, locking the door behind him.

I am more determined than ever to end this curse. The earth and my family are all that I have. I will fight to keep them and give them all that I have. I will hide no longer.