Page 51 of Ra
Voices picked up as everyone whispered to whoever they’d attended with.
“Hello, Ra. Fancy seeing you here,” Dr. Weaver said haughtily backstage.
“I should have known you were behind this.”
“Behind what? Giving you a chance to redeem yourself? You’re welcome.”
“This is wrong, Neith.”
“What’s wrong with a prophecy coming to fruition?” she asked.
“You have no right to meddle in the lives and hearts of humans.”
“You didn’t have a problem with it when I laid it out for you when I locked you away. Well, that might not be entirely true. You were quite upset with me. Was it the prophecy that upset you? Or maybe it was the fact that you have to redeem yourself enough to have a human willingly fall in love with you before you could earn the right to walk among the living again? I do know that you questioned the stipulation that you’d not be able to manipulate whoever the female was into falling in love with you. She either loved you freely of her own choice, or you gave up any chance at living.”
“I’m aware. But neither did you inform me that I’d be human!”
“That part didn’t occur to me until later. I thought it quite the twist of fate. But back to the point, you’ve not manipulated Dr. Clement now, have you?”
“You know damn well I haven’t.”
“Good. Very good. You should have no problem seeing the prophecy to its end successfully then.”
“She should be made aware of how you’ve used her.”
“How I’ve used her? I haven’t used her at all, other than giving her access to the temple. All the rest was her own free will. All of it, unless you used that charm you were so well known for.”
“You know I have not. I’m not allowed to. She should know, Neith. It’s not fair to involve her while not giving her all the pieces to make decisions with.”
“I must say, I like this new Ra much better. When did you become concerned with the needs of anyone but yourself?”
“I don’t want her hurt.”
“Azenath? She’s an academic. She’ll throw herself into her work and doubtlessly find another great temple, or tomb, or some such building. She does thrive on such things, you know.”
“I suppose you expect me to believe it’s a coincidence her name is associated with you.”
“One could make an argument either way. Regardless, I must say I’m very impressed with her. Had it been another time, I might have considered her for one of my sacred priestesses.”
“She’s not meant to belong to you,” he snarled.
Neith really looked closely at Ra. “Well, well. Isn’t this an interesting turn of events.”
“What are you talking about?”
Neith simply smiled. “Nothing at all, Ra. Nothing at all. Enjoy your evening. I have investors to see to.”
“When will you give me back my powers?” he asked, taking two steps to follow her when she walked away from him.
Neith turned only halfway toward him, a heavy dose of side-eye in her mannerisms as she didn’t quite look at him. “Are you sure that’s what you want?”
“It was completely unnecessary to make me human. I am not built to be human. And I can only guess the others will be exactly the same.”
“If they’re freed at all. Your actions have yet to be determined,” Neith reminded him. “And don’t forget, even given the chance, they must wait their turn and take their chances in order of release, or all will be forfeited.”
“You have made so many bad decisions with this prophecy,” he declared.
“I beg to differ.”
