Page 84 of Immortal Sun

The sacrifices.

Enki

And yet you tell them that you’re going to bang them into next year.

Though I’d be lying to myself if I didn’t say I was tempted with her. I made a vow though, and I’ll never go back on it. I have people like Enki who are more than happy to take on the tedious task of sleeping around.

Me

Because it scares them, idiot.

Enki

Because you’re Ra and the idea of your dick somehow getting anywhere near them means burning them alive.

I roll my eyes and stare at the tally marks in the tree. Most of them don’t make it that long.

They all have to come willingly, because every single one of them knows the myths and sees it as an honor. After all, every single one of them, regardless of what corner of the earth they come from, has one single interest—finding their twin. Chaos does not create one, it creates two each time.

I don’t respond to Enki’s crude comment. Instead, I walk back inside and do what I always do before a sacrifice.

I make toast and pretend it’s another mundane day. Then I dress and send the text to everyone.

Me

It’s the year of the dragon. Tonight. Seven.

Nobody replies; it’s not necessary.

I look out at the sky and shake my head as the sun comes out, reflecting against the suddenly calm water.

“Ken.” I salute the island. “I’ll see you in a few hours.”

He says nothing.

For once he’s quiet during the calling as though he’s sad, and while that may be so, emotions are for the weak. I wonder if he’ll miss me, not that it matters, what am I even thinking?

It doesn’t matter how beautiful she is, or how different, her ending will be the same as the beginning.

Getting life breathed into her only to be sucked right back out.

“Pity,” I whisper. “That she was as unfortunate as she is to be born that way.”

Another leaf falls from the tree.

Rat stares down at it and then hides next to the rock by the lower branches.

How nice to be able to hide from destiny.

How foolish.

CHAPTER 20

CLEO

“Where wolf’s ears are, wolf’s teeth are near.” —Volsunga Saga, ch. 19

What do you do when you’re living with someone who thinks he’s an actual immortal and you’re seeing weird things? No wonder he was talking about vampires and everything else the other day; he’s clinically insane. So, I have one choice. Believe him and freak out or get to work and ignore his rumblings.

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