“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
"Run little goddess, before I flail your hide!” Kebachet roared in the demon dialect.He swung his armored arms toward her and mimicked the beast’s mating dance.Sha’ní yelped and tumbled away from the swipe of his arm, “Stop this, brother! I don’t care what you have seen. I won’t give up on you.”Kebachet growled and stomped toward her. Her eyes dilated, and her mind screamed to run; however, she refused to leave him. He will not win this battle. Sha’ní’s tenacity was as strong as Charles ’s.Kebachet morphed back into a doppelganger and sighed, “Call your father. He must witness this and begin the process of teaching us how to control our thoughts and emotions."I do not care that we will know where the other is at all times. I do not wish to share your life, and I wish for my thoughts to be private.”“As you wish, brother,” Sha’ní beamed, then bounced out of the throne room.Jasper Jasper ’s ears tingled as the familiar sounds of his daughter’s padded feet ran through the hall of
“Thank you for coming.”Jasper gave a curt nod and said, “I am here to help where I am able.”Those were not the words the doppelganger expected. His red eyes shifted to Sha’ní, who stood next to him and then returned in a silent question to explain what he feared.“It is her decision. She has been warned and is still willing to bond with you.”"Are you mad?” He blurted and grasped Sha’ní’s shoulders with his clawed hands, ”Let me die, Sha’ní.”“Ra said you are to be made whole. If I do not bond with you, then another god will.”“Command my soul to leave. For her sake,” He pleaded with Jasper .“My apologies, Kebachet. Ra has spoken. My hands are tied.”The doppelganger stood back and helplessly gaped at the both of them. It was the same look of helplessness he gave when he begged Charles and Jasper for his life.Jasper taught his son that Ra’s word was law and must be respected no matter how strongly he disagreed with it. There was nothing that could be done. Jasper would not disobey