Page 33 of Death and Desire

After regarding her for a brief moment, he turned to a door on his left. The solid wooden mass swung open, and a vibrant golden light filled her vision. She blinked, again shielding her eyes from the unexpected brilliance.

When her vision adapted, she gasped at the sight before her. Gauzy curtains fluttered from the ceiling, encircling a crystalline pool in the center of the room. The soft burble of water from a fountain filled the air. Delicate orbs of light hovered throughout the room, filling it with light.

Anubis gestured toward the pool. “After you.”

“What is this place?” Violet asked, her tone stricken with awe as she stepped into the warm chamber. “It’s beautiful.”

“These are healing waters.”

Violet spun to face him.

Anubis leaned against the doorway, watching her, golden light dancing across his black skin. In this light, she could make out the details of his features, the intricate design on his garments, the bands of gold clasped around his wrists and biceps. His muscular physique was defined by shadows, the power beneath his calculated, graceful movements.

For all his cold, intimidating presence, thiscreaturewho had saved her was magnificent. His gold eyes held no malice, but muted curiosity gleamed in their depths. It was difficult to read his expression, given his likeness to a hound more than a man. And yet, she could not help admiring the size and breadth of him. Strength radiated from him in waves, and his muscles stood prominently beneath his dark skin.

How soft is it? Violet shook her head and turned back to the pool.

“Healing waters?” She ignored the draw of his presence and investigated the room instead.

“The reason I brought you to this place.” He nodded to the shimmering surface. “Bathe in it and you will be restored. Only then can I return you to the land above.”

“You brought me here...tohealme?” She looked at him with newfound curiosity. “Why not take me to the hospital in Cairo?”

“Your injuries were too severe. You would have died.”

A smile split her lips, even as she shivered at the morbid possibility. “Everyone will think I’m dead.”

“Time has no meaning here.” Anubis crossed his arms over his broad, bare chest.

“So you will return me before anyone realizes I’m gone?”

“Not exactly.”

“What game are you playing?”

“I do not play games.” His demeanor didn’t budge. Stoic, he gestured to the pool. “Now bathe and get some rest.”

“Why save me?” Violet asked, crossing the space between them.

His eyes flared. “It is not your time.”

“How can you possibly know my time?” She grasped the locket as thoughts of her mother filled her mind’s eye. Her voice cracked. “How can we possibly know when it’s our time?”

His gaze dropped to her hand tightening around the small tether to her mother.

“You miss her.”

Violet blinked away tears, a waspish retort lodging in her throat. “I...don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Your mother.” Anubis’s voice softened a fraction, belying his sympathy but maintaining his cold, indifferent facade. “You miss her, don’t you?”

“Not that it matters to you.” Violet dropped her hand, releasing the locket. “But yes.”

“You would give anything to see her again?”

“I would.”

Anubis nodded. “Bathe.”

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