Chapter 1
This is book 2 of The Vampire Goddess Series. Read Trials of Fortitude before continuing.
Anubis
To say I was elated over Lara’s victory would be an understatement. I was concerned when her soul reached out to me and feared I had pushed her too far; however, she decided to remain among the living.
I cared not if she perished, for her soul would come to me either way; however, I preferred the soul remained in its vessel as it gallantly walked into the god’s realm. A feat no mortal had ever done and one I was adamant she could achieve.
While Lara slept, I slipped into the underworld, where a backlog of souls waited to be organized. I sighed in frustration when I arrived and found hundreds of blue wisps strolling about near the storage building.
I had become too distracted with the mortal and neglected my duties, which was something I never did. Thankfully, my uncle, Osiris, had already separated the tainted souls from the pure souls.
I was anxious to play with three of the most recent souls; however, I could not ignore the chaos plaguing my kingdom. I opened the gates to the Valley of Souls and touched each innocent soul with my power. The precious little beings responded as I knew they would and immediately crossed over where they would sleep and dream of a time of their choosing.
“Anubis, we must speak,” Horus summoned me from my throne room.
It was rare to hear from him or even meet him in person. I had been preoccupied with the soul in the mortal realm, and Horus was busy fashioning the war that would ultimately destroy Lara or open the god’s realm to her.
Once the last soul entered the Valley of Souls, I closed the gate and commanded the tainted ones to remain in the storeroom. Ruth, Olivia and Ann were among them. Lucky for them, Horus called when he did. They would have another night at peace before I cast my judgment.
Horus stood tall with a seasoned warrior’s body and the head of a hawk. His bottomless eyes were the color of dark amber as he waited for me.
I envied the god at times because his knowledge surpassed mine. Fate spoke to him from time to time, revealing secrets of future events. Knowledge was a powerful tool to wield. It had come to my defense more times than I could count, and I was always seeking more knowledge to store in my arsenal.
“It is time, brother. Go to your mother and acquire Una.”
His seeming disrespect was not meant as an insult. Horus was a soft-spoken god who could not speak as other gods did. He must use his words carefully and speak with purpose. It was an honor when he chose to use his voice.
Horus had been grooming the Nundi and the Enopi to accept an alliance with the vampires in Scotland. It had taken him two millennia and the use of my jackals and hybrids to achieve his goal. The jackals and hybrids served as a moderator between the three races. They were strong enough to control any outbursts the mortals created and frightening enough to gain the mortal’s respect.
The House of Scota was primed for a new authority now that Ruth and her sister matriarchs had been destroyed. A fourth matriarch had been asleep and hidden by Nephthys. She was the reason Ruth sought vengeance on Lara, and she would be the one to bring the three races together and win my army’s loyalty.
I grinned to myself as I teleported without a word to the small duplex that housed the gods. Each god was given a throne room and condo-style living quarters. The condos were rarely used because the gods were busy elsewhere, preferring to soak in the mortal’s praises in their temples.
My skin rose in fine bumps at the thought that Lara would soon visit my temple in Egypt. It was where I planned to reveal myself.
I knocked on my mother’s door, and she opened it soon after. Nephthys was a beautiful goddess with burnt caramel skin and raven black hair. She had styled it into hundreds of tiny braids and sporadically clasped a golden or turquoise bead to them. Glowing violet eyes peered up into mine with a silent question.
“Greetings, mother.”
“Greetings, Anubis.”
The goddess of magic hoarded potions, armor, trinkets, and weapons, all with magical properties. She tucked them away to keep them from the wrong hands or use them in a time of need.
“Horus’s prophecy is upon us, and my game is at an end.”
Horus prophesied about a war between the goddess of life and the god of the dead. Both would meet in a deadly battle in which the goddess would lose, only to be released by the god of the dead, who then was rewarded with the goddess’s heart.
“It is about time!” She growled angrily, “Eight millennia is much too long for a god to play with a mortal. I thought you would have lost interest in the vampire a long time ago.”
“She is to be my queen, mother. You will show her respect as such,” I growled back.
I would wait another eight millennia if required; however, the vampire had lived far too long. It was time for her to discover what she was capable of or perish.
Nephthys huffed and rolled her eyes, “I will give her the respect she is due if she survives your army, Anubis. She must prove she is worthy of your heart. Be warned, my son, your father, and I do not approve of your intentions.”
“I care not. My business is my own. Set knows this. Perhaps you should learn your place!” I banged the door further open to emphasize my displeasure with her disrespect.
I grasped her neck and pushed her further into the room until the back of her knees hit a nearby chair. I released her with a push, and she fell hard into the chair.
She glared at me as she rubbed her bruised flesh. If I were a young pup, I would have second-guessed my decision to attack her the way I did; however, I had reached my godhood, and I was a male from her lineage. By our laws, Nephthys must submit to me when Set was not present.
“As you wish. The casket is in my temple to the far east in Scotland. Seek out the old king of the Nundi and bow before his feet. Kiss the falcon, and you will be rewarded with what you seek.”
I chuckled, “It has been too long since you last played your games. You must be desperate to think I would willingly fall prey to your riddle.
“I care not where the casket is or where the sleeping vampire is hidden. It is you who will dig up the casket and awaken the vampire. You will take one of my own and follow Horus to Scotland. I must remain here with my prize.”
Her glare darkened as her eyes flashed. No doubt she had a petulant remark about digging for a mortal. She did not wish to hide Una or be involved in my foolish game in the first place.
I ignored her and proceeded out the door, “You have until spring when the snow melts and the first wildflower blooms,” I called over my shoulder as I slammed the door shut behind me.
I could not wait for this next and final stage. I was confident Lara would prevail and become my queen. Her soul would never cross the gates and into Bardo.
Horus is wrong.
Lara
I woke to find Gabriel still in bed. He lay on his side facing me with both hands tucked under the pillow. I could not recall a time when he appeared so peaceful. He was never in bed when I awoke.
The window no longer revealed an angry storm overhead. Instead, warm rays of the afternoon sun blanketed the room. It had been far too long since I had seen the sun, and I was thankful to be alive to see it.
The farmhouse buzzed with life downstairs as the clans visited. It pained me to think Queen Mum would soon be returning home. Despite our past, I still loved her as a mother.
I rolled over to get out of bed, unintentionally disturbing Gabriel. His hand brushed my shoulder as I stood.
“Good morning, my mate.”
“Good morning. Must you get up?”
I did not wish to. I cared for my clan dearly; however, I wished to return to a simpler life where I was a new creation guided by a masterful vampire. Unfortunately, I had a past and unknown enemies who might seek me out as Ruth did. I could never ask a clan to protect me from something powerful enough to destroy them.
“It is already midday. It will soon be time to feed. Queen Mum will wish to leave. I must attend to my duties.”
I pulled my pants up and then looked at my beautiful mate. His head was propped in his hand, and a pillow was tucked under his arm. The rays of the sun reflected off his stunning eyes. He looked nothing more than perfection. He exuded power and dominance.
I wished to run into his arms and beg him to love me. To build a home for just the two of us to spend eternity together.
Gabriel had a home, and it was passed down to me like an inheritance from a wealthy estranged relative. And we had a family who relied on me.
It sounded surreal. A child born by a king was lost and adopted by a family within the kingdom, only to discover she was a princess and next in line to the throne upon the king’s death. A mighty and noble knight falls in love with the girl and becomes a beloved king through her.
Such fairy tales were childish, yet the last few weeks proved fairy tales could come true.
“You and I have much to talk about.”
Gabriel’s tendril vibrated with amusement, and his eyes sparkled with a hidden smile. I turned away from him, embarrassed that he heard my thoughts, to dress the remainder of the way.
“I know of your decision. It is a grand idea,” his deep voice caressed me with a lover’s touch.
My love for her grows deeper every day. I must continue to guide her into the role she accepted. It will not be easy for her.
How did I become so lucky? After a final glance at my beautiful mate, I left the room and ran down the stairs. He was making it difficult not to give in to my impulse to climb back into bed with him.
Everyone greeted me with their tendrils, and I returned the favor as I approached Queen Mum.
“Sister Mum, did you sleep well?” I asked as I sat in my chair next to her.
“I did, thank you. I must be returning home.”
“Yes. Will you eat with us and leave at first light?”
“I will do that,” She replied as the queen of her clan.
She sits in her chair with a straight back and with an emotionless expression.
“I am planning to take Gabriel and my clan to the House of Khalid Rahal,” I projected, “Will you join me?”
“I am grateful for your offer, but I will remain with my clan.”
She did not seem surprised by my decision. Perhaps she assumed I would reclaim my home.
“I think you misunderstand. I wish to bring the entire clan. I do not go to the matriarch’s home to rule. We are a family. I would like to live as one family.”
Queen Mum’s spine stiffened for only a fraction of a moment. The movement was so slight I thought I imagined it; however, her tendril stilled, and I sensed her outrage.
“Thank you, no. I am quite happy where I am.”
“Very well. Please visit me, and do not take a hundred years to come,” I softened my voice and projected my apologies.
I did not mean to insult her. I was uncertain what I said that upset her.
“I will visit,” Queen Mum turned her steel eyes to mine and grasped my hand, forgiving me.
The next morning, I said good-bye to my sister and her clan.
“I will miss them,” I said, leaning against Gabriel’s chest.
“It is time for us to go home,” His deep voice purred in my ear.
I turned to enter the house. Gabriel caught my arm and pulled me tight against him. The longing in his eyes made my body weak. He kissed me hard and demanding. His ecstasy flowed through the tendril, awakening my desire.
Gabriel held me to him for several moments, then released me and wordlessly walked into the house. I was putty and could barely walk. It took a moment to calm my rapid heartbeat and slow my breathing. Watching his powerful frame disappear into the house did not help the process.
