Everything to Gain (Book 2)

Atum-Ra, the creator of the world and father to the gods, rested in his private chambers dreaming of new creations. The world was vast and sparsely populated. There was room to be creative and bring life to the world.

He faced the opened window overlooking a courtyard filled with his favorite flowering bush. His desk was adorned with a large sheet of paper and artistic utensils not yet invented by the mortals.

He prepared to draw anything his imagination came up with. Once the drawing was finished, he would scrutinize it from every angle, contemplating his work. At times, he would sculpt it out of clay and breathe life into it to test its compatibility with the rest of the world.

His chambers and throne room were decorated with statues from previous designs. Their movements were slight as if they were frozen in time. One could only see it from the corner of their eye.

“Father! Help!”

Ra opened his eyes and blinked against the brightness of the opened window. A chill forced an involuntary shiver as though an icy draft caressed his exposed chest.

Laurissa’s soul called for him. He wondered if she reached for the black jackal as well. The souls who prepared to cross over call for the god of the dead; however, Laurissa heard his command to call for him in a time of distress, and vowed to live.

Ra teleported away from his chambers and appeared in Lord Dunkan’s chambers. Laurissa laid on the fur covers of his bed. Her body was severely injured and the soul within whimpered in pain. Anubis was nowhere to be seen.

What did the fool vampire do this time?

Ra knelt by the bed and caressed Laurissa’s shattered jaw, then rested his palm on her chest. “I am here,′ amal.”

“He did it again. He sold my body and let another torment me. His betrayal hurts more than my broken vessel.”

The mate bond between two vampires was strong enough to kill one or both of them; however, when a vampire created another, the bond between them was like an umbilical cord. It never faded forever, tying the two vampires together like a parent and a child.

Despite Laurissa’s hatred for the male vampire, she would always feel a connection to him. Not only did Lord Dunkan turn her into a vampire, he mated her, solidifying the bond between both vampires.

“Lord Dunkan’s heart is damaged, and his soul is tarnished. You are pure and strong. You must save him or destroy him. Everything you feel and endure will give you the strength to lead the vampires into peace.”

“I wish to go home. I do not wish to endure this any longer. Please, father, let the god of the dead take me.”

Ra swallowed hard. He despised seeing her in agony; however, her torment must continue if the gods were to survive. There was a delicate balance to his creation. If it tipped too far in one direction, chaos would devour the world, and the gods would perish along with it. Lord Dunkan was the tip of the destruction of the world, and she was his balance.

A warm golden glow grew from under his hand as though the sun rose from Laurissa’s chest. The soul within sighed as her pain lifted, “Listen to me,′ amal.” Ra’s voice thundered around the room as his command grew in strength.

Ra created the world with free will; however, he also created consequences to balance it. To command the soul, even a light command, went against his nature. Perhaps Fate and Horace were right. Perhaps it was folly to allow the vampires’ free rein. Or, perhaps, the soul he created was not strong enough.

He would not believe that. Laurissa was unique. She must discover her potential on her own. His presence would only do harm.

He closed his eyes tight as he uttered words that could destroy him in the end. No matter what his children thought, he could not kill Lilene’s children.

She would come back to him one day, and as a wedding present, he would present her with a population so great it out-number the sands of Egypt. The world was big enough to nourish vampires and humans and many new creations he chose to create in the future.

“You will live until Lord Dunkan breathes his last breath or changes his way. One day you will meet the black jackal who guards the underworld. Until that day, you will believe the gods do not exist. Life after death does not exist. You will cherish life above all until the day you face the army of Egypt’s God of the Dead. You must never give in.”

Laurissa already cherished life and fought for its right to exist, while Lord Dunkan fought to bring death to the world. His command to continue fighting should be easy; however, it broke his heart that she would never call out to him or that her song would be silenced until Anubis came to collect her.

The soul continued to look for a way to leave the world of the living. By his command, the soul would have no choice but to fight with every ounce of strength it possessed. She was destined to stop the vampires from annihilating his creation; however, she could become a living goddess who would destroy his perfect balance. He had no choice.

The glow under his palm brightened then pulsed like lightning. The soul pulsed at his command then dimmed as it fell into a deep sleep with its body, and her voice became a void in the world.

Its world had become tiny. The god’s realm was no longer an option. A peaceful slumber in the Valley of Souls was only her imagination. The comforting voice of the god of the dead was only a memory. Ra no longer existed.

Ra clasped his hands with a loud clap. Sparks of white light danced on his fists like tiny arcs of lightning. The world groaned in response to his summons. His hands spread in an offering and let the white light twirl within his palms, then he blew on it like a human blew on dandelions. The light flew from his palm out the window and pulsed a brilliant white as it contacted the ground. A soft white blanket covered the surface of the earth.

Bind the vampire called Laurissa with your life. Sing your love song and let all know who she is. The god of the dead shall not claim her until I command it.

A loud explosion rocked the earth and the god’s realm, as the earth drank the power soaking it down to the depth of its life force. He could feel curious eyes on him as he gained the attention of the other gods.

Ra teleported back to his chambers with a heavy heart and swept his desk clean with one fluid motion of his arms. Paper and tools clacked as they scattered along the sandstone floor.

His most recent drawing slowly drifted down to his desk like a leaf released from the high branches. Scribbles of thoughts and scratched-out ideas surrounded a small blue pulsating orb.

His creations had many things in common; however, one thing constantly stood out. They all desired compatibility and comradeship. One bright soul could walk next to Laurissa even if he could not.

You will never be alone,′ amal. I shall be with you, always.