“Greetings, Charles .”Her name rolled from his deep rumbly voice like velvet. Charles was infatuated with her husband. They had dark times in their lives; however, no matter how angry she was with him, she could never resist him. Her mind and body continued to react to him as though she had met him for the first time.“Greetings, husband. Are you ready to face your daughter?”“I am.”Charles touched the nearby pillar and summoned Sha’ní, then stepped down from her chair and embraced her god.“I wish to run away with you, master of my heart.”Her desire to be with him and to feel his special embrace grew into a powerful need. She did not care about the world or her daughter at that moment. She wished to be his as it had been before when he was not a god but her master, and she was a vampire who found love and submitted to a male. Those were the best times of her existence.“That can be arranged. Our daughter has matured. I believe she has reached her godhood.”His voice rumbled in his

“I will not ask again, child. Speak, or I will force it from you.”Charles ' cool fingers gently touched his tightening arm, Give your word, husband. If what I suspect she is protecting is true, then you will wish to know. Do not react to what your eyes tell you.“Not until you promise, daddy. Promise me you will trust me and not jump to conclusions,” Sha’ní continued. She was unaware of their private conversation.Jasper whipped his head around to glare at Charles . He would not be ruled by his family. Spit it out, wife. What is it you think you know?“Daddy, please! I am begging you. You control your emotions all the time. You control your mind and demand we do the same. I am only asking you to continue.”Charles ’s eyes widened, and her pupils dilated as she focused on something behind her. Her vision through the bond and the speed of her heart caught Jasper by surprise. Somehow a demon escaped the battle and was approaching Sha’ní from behind.Charles Charles could not believe wh

She gripped Sha’ní’s shoulder, then teleported them both to Jasper ’s chambers within the god’s temple.“No!” Sha’ní screamed and fought to free herself from Charles .Charles had wrapped her arms around her daughter, pinning her back to her chest.“You will stay here, Sha’ní. Your father is of sound mind. "Do not forget Kebachet is his son and the treason he committed against him. Jasper must decide if his soul is worth saving,” Charles whispered in Sha’ní’s ear.She kept the comforting illusion hoping to pacify Sha’ní enough for her mind to see reason.“He paid for his crimes. He is your son too! Why don’t you want him to come back?” Sha’ní growled angrily.Charles knew she flew words around in a desperate attempt to get her way; however, they still hurt. To think her daughter would believe Charles was incapable of loving her children shattered her.Charles released Sha’ní and stood in front of the door, “Do not question my love for my children.”The pain in her voice made Sha’ní f

“If you create a new body, he must be consummated or begin to perish. It is the way of things,” Jasper explained. His voice softened to the respect Ra demanded.“He does not have to be consummated, Jasper . Only a god willing to share power.”“That is a high price to ask of any god. They will be forever connected. They will forever know of each other’s pain or joy. Thoughts will not be private. It is best for him to be mated to the one who will share the power.”It was not the physical pain that worried Jasper . He was concerned about the effect on his son.Ra enjoyed watching Jasper raise Kebachet. There were lessons Jasper learned as he grew up that he instilled in his young son. Privacy was a powerful shield against an enemy. Blocking his thoughts and shielding his mind from foreign probes would protect him from the most ruthless demon.Sharing a god’s power would expose Kebachet’s mind. No matter. The god must adjust, and the perfect goddess to connect to would be Sha’ní. She was

As Sha’ní traveled through the blue sea, the souls paused in their wanderings and turned toward her. Charles had never seen such a thing. They did not respond to the god of the underworld once they went to sleep. Jasper had stated Sha’ní found her godhood. This must be what she could do.Sha’ní paused in her trek, and the entire valley lit up in a brilliant blue. Every single one, as far as the eye could see, turned to face Sha’ní.“I wish to speak to the ancient soul who lived during the time the Matriarch Lara ruled in the house of Khalid Rahal.”Charles ’s jaw unhinged as the souls pulsed to her command, sending brilliant blue ripples through the masses. The sea slowly parted until a single soul stood alone in the split.Charles could not speak with the souls or see their past lives like Jasper ; however, she could see the faded features resembling their recent life. Jasper could command living souls and the ones waiting for judgment. The only god who could control a sleeping soul