Free Soul Awakened by Jean Murray

in his head. Did he remember anything? He remembered too much. Things he wanted to permanent erase from his mind. Things done to him against his will. It was the other indiscretions that he forced to that dark side of his mind, locked behind an internal cage. “No.”
    “Do you know who we are?”
    He sneered. “Come a little closer, maybe then it will all make sense.”
    The large god frowned. “We both know I cannot do that.”
    Bakari hissed and gnashed his teeth together. It would take only a thought to rip this god’s life from his soul. If he had his daggers, he could extinguish the fine ember of light that burned in the god’s chest. Permanently. He craved it like a starved animal, salivating with unrepressed savagery. “Release me.”
    Stress painted the formidable god’s face. “I’m sorry, son. I cannot do that.”

Chapter Twelve
     
    “What in the name of Isis went on here?” Asar asked, raking an agitated hand through his hair. Three of his best guardians lay dead on the floor.
    Inpu motioned to the guards to lift the sarcophagus up onto its pillars. Stooping, the priest picked up a gold goblet. His finger dipped into the black liquid. “Animal blood. Looks as if it was knocked over onto the floor. She could not have used this during the spell, there is too much of it wasted.”
    “Then how did she do it?”
    After righting the large wooden lid, the priest laid his hand on the center of the hieroglyphics. He brought his hand to his mouth with a small red drop on the tip of his finger. He closed his mouth around it. Inpu recited a small prayer.
    “Isis! Please don’t tell me she used her own.” Asar grabbed the back of his neck and turned his gaze to Bakari. “Gods be damned. Why the hell did she not wait?”
    “Kendra? I think you already know the answer to your question.” Inpu stood up and joined Asar to stare at their caged animal. “You know what this means?”
    “I’m going to have to tell Lilly.”
    His son bucked against Asar’s tight restraints. “Give her back to me. She is mine !”
    Asar moved with the weight of a thousand elephants out of the dungeon and through the palace corridors. He could not tell which was worse, the anguish of seeing his son in such a state of insanity or the fact that it was his fault. His regrets were too numerous to count and his only son had suffered for it dearly. He was certain this was his punishment for so many misdeeds, mainly his involvement with Kepi. It was his misjudgment and lust that had lit the fuse to this blight against his family and the Mother Goddess.
    Bakari would have never been exposed to Kepi had Asar not given her a second chance. His cock was doing the thinking for him at the time. If only he had heeded Nebt’s warning in the beginning, but he was too self-centered to see beyond Kepi’s seduction which she had turned against his son.
    Asar did not blame Bakari for falling into her trap. He had. It had been Kepi’s objective all along to kidnap his son and use him against the Pantheon. She would have succeeded if it was not for Lilly entering his life and that he would never regret.
    He pinched the bridge of his nose. Kendra’s quarters stood before him. He needed to break the news to Lilly. She knew Kendra best. Gods help him. He was the one who asked Kendra to help break the spell with the knowledge his son was siphoning living energy off her soul. Lilly’s life force had been enough for his own beast to be sated; he assumed Kendra would have the same calming qualities on Bakari.
    He rapped on the door.
    Bomani greeted him. Nodding he opened the door wider. “Lord.”
    His wife’s concerned gaze lifted to meet his. Lifting the side of his mouth in a half-smile, he kept the dread from showing on his face. He looked past Lilly to the small woman curled on her side. Her face was as pale as the white bed sheets. “How are you fairing, Kendra.”
    Kendra’s swollen red eyes drifted his direction. “I’m okay.” Her hand