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
Atumn-RaRa sat alone at his personal workstation, gazing out the window; however, he did not see the honeysuckle bushes that decorated the courtyard. The events over the last century played over and over in his mind like a song he could not shake.He could still feel Lilene’s caress and hear her soft whispers as she made promises to return to him. He was foolish, and it nearly cost the lives of his children.Charles ’s sentence was more than fair. He deserved much more for his actions; however, he was thankful for her mercy. He only waited for the council to summon him.“My Lord, please come to me. There is a demon among us who has a soul,” Jasper called from Ra’s throne room.Ra’s heart leaped with joy. He found his son and resisted killing Gegleth.Ra teleported to his throne room and rested in his chair. Jasper and Gegleth both knelt with their chins tucked to their chests. Both were plagued with a burden.“Speak, Jasper .”“My Lord, I wish to know if you were involved with banish
“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
Jasper ’s mind and emotions were still flowing through their bond. He truly believed she was jealous of Horace’s affection toward Sha’ní. It sickened him that she would desire Boros and infuriated him that she grew to love him before he could claim her heart as a mortal. Loving another, especially his brother, stroked his possessive nature and left him crippled to do anything about it.“No, wife. Had Boros remained alive, you would have attempted to mate with him.“At the time, I did not see it. My brother was extremely attracted to you. He said as much to you while you hunted your master’s allies.“The night you laid by my side as my body transitioned into a vampire, your thoughts lingered on my physique and reminisced of Boros.“‘If any of (your) clan wished to mate with (you), he would have been (your) first choice,’” He quoted.Charles gaped at Jasper in disbelief. He was truly a calculating, cunning jackal. She barely remembered that thought. She had just turned Gabriel into a va
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
Sha’ní clenched her hands into fists to keep from reacting to a burst of power emitted from Ra. Everyone’s thoughts and surface emotions rushed into her and overpowered the eerie silence.Both her parents stared at Atumn with extremely different emotions. Charles was concerned for Ra and was surprised at how well he handled himself.Her father was furious with him and anxious for the meeting to be over. It was the first time she had ever physically felt an emotion from him. The connection was overwhelming.The others had varying degrees of respect toward Sha’ni, including her new friend, Horace; however, the one who stole her attention was her daddy. She dared not ask him about Kebachet but based on his reaction to Ra, it could not have been good. She just wanted him to tell her if he lived.“It has come to my attention that there is a need for an adjustment among us,” Ra’s commanding voice demanded Sha’ní’s attention. His presence weighed heavily in her mind as his power consumed her
“In order for Kebachet to return, there must be one among us who would bond with him and share their godly power. I will take your votes on whether or not Kebachet returns to us.”Sha’ní’s heart thundered in her chest from Ra’s revelation that Kebachet was still alive. She wasn’t sure where he was being held, but it did not matter. He was still breathing air, and his heart still beat.Her hope soon turned into anxiety and the grin on her lips faded as she waited for an answer. She glanced at each god, and none of them returned her gaze. Every god around the table remained emotionless and expressionless.“What is your vote, Sha’ní?”Sha’ní nearly leaped from her seat as Ra’s strong voice entered her mind. His brown eyes peered deep down as he waited for her answer.There was no doubt she wished for her brother to live; however, she was not sure she should voice her opinion. The others didn’t seem to want a traitor in their midst. Even her parents refused to say anything, and she was ce
“Horace will continue creating wars as you command, which also cause chaos.”Charles shivered with a chill, “Remind me to never anger you.”Jasper ’s chuckle was a deep rumble that vibrated her soul as he pulled Charles into his lap, “You could never push me to do this to you.”Charles hooked an arm around his broad shoulders and melted into his chest. She loved the way it rumbled when he spoke.“Your mother? How is it you have power over her?”“It is a law among the Gods. It is not spoken of often, as children are not born often, nor do marriages happen often.“The male of the family is head of the household, regardless of age. In Set’s home, he is the master, and everyone must submit to him.“He placed my mother above me as you are above Sha’ní. In Set’s absence, she is to defer to me.“Set is no longer the master of her family. I am the remaining male, and so, must submit to me.”Charles could not imagine submitting to a child. Both Kebachet and Sha’ní were her children and would r