Page 93 of Death and Desire

Khalid’s heavy sigh provided no answer. He closed his eyes and murmured beneath his breath, the ancient words lost in the gentle breeze as it drifted through the garden.

The first to appear was Bast in her cloud of gold smoke. She stepped clear of it, wearing her human form, her green eyes shifting between them as a coy smile toyed at her sensual mouth.

“What’s this, then?” she asked Violet before studying Khalid.

“If I am to remain in Egypt with Anubis, I wish to reveal the truth to those closest to me.” Violet explained, hoping the goddess would understand her reasoning.

“Honesty is an admirable trait, but do you truly believe they can process such a revelation?” Bast tapped a curved fingernail against her cheek.

“My brother is quite taken with you,” Violet said carefully. “Tell me what you have observed during your time in his company.”

Bast’s sly smile betrayed nothing. “Do you also wish to revealmypart in this?”

“Not unless you wish me to do so.” Violet inhaled deeply to steady her racing heart. “I will honor your decision, but I wished for you to be aware of my intentions, as well as hear yours...especially those involving my brother.”

“I will not allow any harm to befall him,” Bast vowed. “You have my word.”

It wasn’t exactly what she wanted to hear, but it would have to do. Violet nodded before turning to Khalid, who stood still with his eyes closed, murmuring in ancient Egyptian.

“He deserves happiness.” Bast’s soft words lingered between them as she nodded toward Anubis. “You both do.”

“Thank you.” A weight lifted from Violet’s shoulders at the affirmation.

Bast lifted a finger to her lips, and the cloud of gold enveloped her once more. When it vanished, a black cat sat on a nearby bench, tail swishing leisurely behind her, golden eyes fixed on Violet.

Violet leaned close to Khalid and whispered in his ear. “Summon them.”

Three identical pillars of smoke rose before her. As the darkness faded, three familiar faces appeared, pale and stricken.

“What happened?” Isaac asked, turning to them. “One minute I’m in my room, and the next...”

“Same happened to me,” David said before turning to Dina, who swayed on her feet. He reached out to catch her, but she swatted his hand away.

“Don’t touch me,” she hissed. “I’m perfectly fine.”

Violet blinked at the open hostility. Questions burned her tongue, but she swallowed them.

“Forgive my intrusion,” Khalid interjected, forcing all of them to look at him.

“Your intrusion?” Isaac asked, blinking in confusion. “What the hell is going on here?”

Violet took her place next to Khalid. “As you know, I explained my intentions to remain in Egypt with Khalid.”

The three of them nodded in unison.

“But I didn’t reveal the whole truth.” Violet took Khalid’s hand and squeezed. “I wish to do so now.”

Khalid closed his eyes, and the familiar scent and smoke enveloped him. His hand shifted in hers, elongating and widening as he assumed his true form.

Violet’s gaze remained on her brother and her friends as the smoke cleared. Their eyes grew as wide as dinner plates, and their mouths hung agape. Dina grasped David’s arm, her fingers clawing his shirt and the flesh beneath. Isaac stepped closer to them. The three clustered together in a huddle, staring up at the man she loved.

“Anubis.” Dina’s voice trembled with awe and terror.

“How is this possible?” David asked. “It must be a trick.”

“No trick, I assure you,” Anubis replied, softening his stance. He wore his full regalia, as he had the night he revealed himself to Violet in the Netherworld. “I am Anubis, god and protector of the dead.” He looked at Violet. “And this is my beloved.”

A soft squeak rose from the huddled trio.

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