Free Caress The Dark God [Scions of the Ankh 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) by Toni L. Meilleur

happened. But if he left her here, there would be no saving her. It was a question of one life versus hundreds, maybe even thousands.
    He made the only choice he could. In fact, it wasn’t a choice at all. It was what had to be. He could not live with any other scenario. Anubis summoned Tessa’s lifeless body into his arms.

Chapter Eight
     
    I need your help . Anubis sent out the call to Jonathan as he whisked Tessa through the dead plains, aiming for the pyramids. She had but the smallest spark of life left in her. He didn’t know what that being was or exactly what it had done to Tessa, but it was damn near lethal. She lay limp in his arms. Her breathing was so shallow that more than once he had to check to make sure she still lived. Damn him! He should have known better. He had sensed the creature in the area, but thought it further away. He had sent Tessa to the car thinking to make her safer. Instead, he had only endangered her more.
    What is it? You sound… worried. Thoth’s almost immediate answer lessened his fears slightly.
    The one responsible for the deaths is captured in a ’clone. I do not know how long it will hold him.
    Why not just bring him here? There was no mistaking the puzzlement in Thoth’s voice.
    I am otherwise engaged.
    Anubis you know how dangerous this person is. Why would you leave him—
    Tessa has been hurt .
    There was a long moment of silence. Anubis knew Thoth was thrown off by his behavior. If nothing else, he was always dependable, efficient and a mechanical killer. Anubis always did what needed to be done. He could feel Thoth trying to read his emotions, but blocked him. As important as this being was, right now his main concern was Tessa. It was no one else’s business. For the first time in his life, Anubis wanted to do something for himself. He wanted to save Tessa. He wanted her more than he wanted anything in his long life.
    Show me where he is , Thoth said at last. Anubis flashed him a quick image of the area in which he had left the prisoner, then he promptly shut down all communication with Thoth. It would take all of his concentration to save Tessa. With little effort, he entered the great pyramid. An object that had been the subject of curiosity for thousands of years, no living human really knew its purpose. Anubis set Tessa down gently in a large chamber and mentally lit the sconces adorning the walls.
    This was a place of rebirth, of metamorphosis, to be more exact. Anubis and the other travelers built the pyramids to aid the humans. It healed them when they were sick. However, the power changed the humans more than intended. It gave them talents humans had not had before. They gained the ability to see the future, and some could read minds. The effects were various, but one thing was clear: It was in violation of the code of the travelers. They were not to interfere with the natural life of a species by drastically altering it. The pyramids were shut down and no one had used them. Until now. Anubis quickly transferred himself into a shade and entered a nearby forest. As quickly as he could, he gathered the necessary herbs and twigs for the ritual and returned to Tessa. He made a fire, throwing the herbs into the flames to begin the ritual. Carefully, he cleaned the blood from her face. He knew the moment Tessa’s soul left her body and he met her at the river.
    Her soul was beautiful. A golden glow surrounded the outline of her body. He stood in front of her as she tried to get around him. She had no idea she was dead. He knew what was happening — she was following the powerful song of the dead. Its melody lured souls to the other side. It was within his judgment to allow them over to cross and either live out their days in happiness or punishment. If there was a question, he judged them using a scale. He would not judge Tessa. He would not let her pass.
    What are you doing? Where are we?
    Do you not remember anything?
    Pain and lots of it. Is he gone? Did you save