Page 97 of Monsters in Love: Lost in the Underworld

Despite the gravity of the situation, I couldn’t help but think how absurd it all was. I was going to have a talk with Anubis once this was all over. I wasn’t going to put up with all these women hanging around him with ulterior motives to get into his metaphorical pants.

“Nice moves!” I shouted between blows. “I didn’t realize you were moonlighting as a fighting deity. What did you say your name was again?”

She screeched and lunged. I nimbly leaped as part of my skimpy long dress tore from her hit.

“Ugh! Do you know how hard it was to put on this dress?”

I ducked under her swing and slammed my shoulder into her chest, taking her down to the sand.

“You’re playing with forces you don’t fully understand!” Nephthys gritted out as she threw a punch to my jaw.

I grabbed the back of her hair and slammed her face into the sand. It wasn’t as satisfying as slamming her face into the street, but it would have to do. “Nephthys, please. There’s no need for hostility.”

Nephthys slammed her body back, knocking my hand off her hair as she twisted and straddled me. I felt a surge inside me, an energy that shot through my veins like a live wire. We grappled on the ground and I slipped my feet between us, kicking her off with more force than I could imagine.

Nephthys flew in the air crashing into a familiar dark form that emerged from the shadows. Anubis’s voice boomed, a divine command that shook the very air around us. “Enough!”

Nephthys was quick to turn around, placing her hands on his chest, with crocodile tears in her eyes. “Anubis! I don’t know what’s wrong with her. I’ve done nothing to deserve this!”

My anger grew into fury at the sight of her touching him. Before I realized he shoved her away with a snarl, I grabbed her hair from behind, jerked her head back and deeply sliced throughher neck. I watched with satisfied glee as her blood sprayed forth, landing in crimson droplets on the sand.

I shoved her forward and she fell onto her knees before falling face-first at Anubis’ feet.

“You should not have done that,” Anubis sighed, running a hand down his face.

I shrugged, too high on my jealousy and whatever was stirring inside me to care much about his reprimand. “Well, it’s a bit late now, isn’t it?”

I watched with fascination as Nephthys’ body dissipated into the air, leaving only the faint imprint of her form behind.

Just then, a new, more powerful, energy filled the air. I turned to see another deity materializing before us, his presence commanding and suffused with an authority that instantly demanded respect. His eyes glowed with a fierce light, and his form seemed to radiate an aura of power that made even Anubis stiffen.

“The mortal known as Mara, Anubis,” Amon’s voice boomed, each word resonating with a sense of inevitability. “It seems the balance of life and death have been shaken by… recent events.”

Anubis straightened, his face a mask of resigned acceptance. “Amon..”

Amon’s gaze shifted to me, his eyes piercing through my defiant exterior. “Mara, your actions have not only violated sacred boundaries but also disrupted the balance we strive to maintain.”

I tried to meet his gaze with a challenging stare, but the intensity of his presence made my defiance waver. “And whatif I did? Nephthys was the one who appeared out of nowhere bothering my late-night duties.”

Amon’s expression darkened but his eyes revealed amusement. “The disruption you’ve caused cannot be overlooked. And as a demi-god yourself, you too will have to pay for such misdeeds.”

I felt a shiver run down my spine. What did he just say?

Anubis stepped closer to me. “Amon. I agree, Mara’s actions were reckless.”

I shot him a glare. Traitor!

“And I am willing to deal out her punishment. I’m sure Nephthys will reappear soon enough.”

Amon’s gaze softened slightly, but his authority remained unyielding. “Recklessness is a serious matter. Both of you will need to account for the consequences of your actions.”

I swallowed hard, wondering what kind of crazy sentencing he was planning to throw my way.

When Amon let out a laugh, I jumped back, watching with a bit of horror and confusion as he placed a hand on Anubis’ shoulder. “See that you keep your pet in line, Anubis. I will thank you for keeping Nephthys out of my hair for a while. The peace and quiet before she rematerialized is a reprieve we all needed.”

Anubis nodded, his expression exposing nothing as if this was exactly what he was expecting.

Amon’s eyes narrowed as he regarded both Anubis and me. “You will both come with me. There will be a formal sentencing where your actions will be judged in front of the other deities.The balance must be restored, and the consequences of your choices must be faced.”

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