Page 30 of Death and Desire

“And yet, here I am,” Violet shot back. “Wait...the Netherworld?”

“Yes.”

“Are you sure I’m not dead?”

“You were close to death.”

“How do you know?” she asked, narrowing her eyes.

“I know many things.”

A soft blossoming of realization unfurled within her as the texts she’d studied rushed forward with clarity. Surely it couldn’t be true.

“Who are you?” Her voice trembled.

“I am Anubis.”

Disbelief choked her. “You...no...” She shook her head vehemently. “You can’t be.” A startled laugh lodged in her throat at his serious expression. “I don’t believe it.”

“If you will not believe my words, perhaps you will believe this.” He stepped back and closed his eyes.

Violet jumped when black smoke wrapped around him, starting at his feet, curling around his muscular thighs, his narrow hips, encompassing his broad shoulders, followed by his black hair. The last to vanish into the smoke was his face.

Fear permeated her. What was happening? Surely, this was a dream...a nightmare. She would wake in her bed, slick with sweat, her heart racing. As she watched, she poised herself, ready to dart back to the room, to the waiting exit.Wasthere an exit? She had no idea, yet she could not remain here should he be a villain shrouded in heroics.

The smoke dissipated quickly, drifting away on the same breeze she felt when she’d first woken in this place.

“Khalid?” Violet attempted to comprehend the intimidating being before her.

At eight feet tall, he towered over her, and his pale skin was now black and shiny as a beetle’s wing. Gone were his handsome features, replaced with the stark lines of a sleek, muscular hound. Golden eyes fixed on her as pointed ears twitched atop his head, pivoting when a gasp escaped her throat. His muscular body flexed with restrained power. Gone were the garments he’d worn, replaced by a belted, jeweled white...kilt, for lack of a better term. The gems along the gilded belt glistened in crimson moonlight.

She’d seen this being before. Never in person. Only in ink on a page or carved from stone and covered with faded paint, worn with the passage of time and the forgetfulness of humanity.

“You are...” She backed against the balustrade, bracing herself with one hand as the other held her locket tightly. “No. It can’t be. You’re—”

“The protector of the dead.” His wolflike mouth curved into something resembling a smile.

“Anubis.” The name broke from her lips in a reverent whisper. “You’re Anubis.”

He bowed to her, a gesture almost comical in his god form. His ebony skin glistened in the moonlight, blending with the surrounding shadows.

“Wha...?” She stammered. “I don’t understand. Why are you doing this? My father will pay you dearly for my safe return.”

“I have no desire for earthly treasure.”

“Then why am I here?”

“You fell into the Nile...when I found you...” He trailed off.

“I was dying.”

He inclined his head in affirmation.

She studied his new form, even though it terrified her. The mere strength he exuded left her trembling. It would be nothing for him to crush her, to end her life without effort. And yet...

“You saved me?”

He nodded again.

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