Page 10 of Immortal Sun (Dark Olympus)

CHAPTER 10

CLEO

“That which has a bad beginning is likely to have a bad ending.” - Hen-Thorir’s Saga, ch.. 4

T he precinct isn’t that big. I see maybe five officers present and Daggon sitting in his blue uniform, hair pulled back. He’s texting on his phone, typing furiously with a super smug grin on his handsome face.

He’s arrogant, then again they all seemed that way at dinner.

Has he been the one I’ve been talking to without even knowing it? There’s a front desk area, and behind that at least eight other metal desks with laptops. The hallway in front of me is long, and at the end of it is a single jail cell. They must not have a lot of crime because every single cop seems extremely bored and all of them are on their phones.

“Feet off,” Cyrus says, kicking Daggon’s feet off the desk. They slam into the floor with a thud. “Have respect for the furniture and your guests.”

Daggon lazily looks up, then grins and drops his phone onto his desk. Standing, he looms over me, arms crossed. “Well, look what my brother dragged in.”

Ah, he’s one of those, like his brother grabbed me by the hair and pulled me in here. It could be my imagination, but he doesn’t look at me; he looks through me as if I don’t even really exist or won’t in the near future. He’s predatory and arrogant in a way that’s the opposite of attractive. His auburn hair is pulled away from his face in a short ponytail, his muscles bulge beneath his shirtsleeves.

I bite my tongue to keep from saying something mean to someone I hardly know. Besides, I need him to help with Jake.

I move closer to Cyrus for protection and to fortify myself with a deep breath. He puts a hand on my lower back as if to encourage me to step closer and say what I need to say. I shudder at his touch, I like it because it’s warm, that’s the only reason.

He’s not my boyfriend, just a nice man helping me with my brother. I really need to stop relying on him so much.

I remind myself of that about ten more times before lifting my chin and facing Daggon with as much confidence as I can muster. “I just wanted to be kept up to date on any information you can get on my brother.”

Daggon frowns. “Listen, we’ve done all we can but from what we’re gathering, he’s not missing, he took a quick break and dove down the rabbit hole of research which tends to happen to a lot of interns around here. They catch the bug fast, right Cyrus?”

Cyrus’s smile is tight. “Right.”

“Well it’s at least nice to know where law enforcement is,” I say.

Daggon raises his hand. “That’s me, all law, all enforcement. Hey, are you hungry? I can take you out, show you a good time.”

Cyrus all but growls, “She’s eaten.”

“Or will be.” Daggon winks down at me.

“Gross, no thank you.” The word comes out before I can stop it. I cover my mouth with my hand.

Daggon’s eyes widen in shock.

Cyrus drops his arm.

All goes silent.

“Sorry.” I hang my head. “I just meant?—”

“No apologies necessary.” Daggon suddenly shifts moods; his eyes are keener, and he finally truly looks at me, not through me, almost begging me to look deep into his gaze. A calm heat rests there.

I shake my head and stumble backwards, and a pulsing sensation tightens around my temples briefly before disappearing.

“Hey, are you okay?” Cyrus asks.

Daggon reaches forward like he’s going to touch me then drops his hand at his side, his expression concerned. “She’s probably exhausted, what the hell are you doing taking her around town right now?”

“She was curious, and I wanted to show her the museum,” Cyrus says in a terse voice. “We’ll let you do whatever the hell you think you do here, and don’t be late for dinner next week. It pisses everyone off.”

“Because food tastes sooooo good,” Daggon says in a dry tone. “Yeah, I’ll be sure to bring my appetite.” He looks back at me, eyes narrowing. “Did you feel it, then?”

I blink at him, once, twice. “Feel?”

“Thought so.” He nods slowly. “I wish things were different.” Then he laughs without any true humor “You know, because I’d love to take the cute new guest out to lunch, but my brother’s such a cock block. Wonder why…”

“And we’re going.” Cyrus guides me out. “Sorry he’s a complete waste of time, space, air, take your pick.”

I felt.

I don’t say anything.

But I definitely did feel something. I still feel something in my chest. It’s burning to escape.

What is with this place?

I should be more freaked out. I’m not. I blame Cyrus and how calm he suddenly is.

I take a long, deep breath and walk with Cyrus, slowly, purposefully toward his car and notice that Enki is leaning against one of the crosswalks with an empty plate.

“Ride back?” he asks.

Cyrus curses.

Enki waves at me with two fingers. “What? I need to return your plate.”

“Ah, so it was a good day, yes?”

Enki sobers a bit and nods. “It was, brother. It was. Most were escorted exactly where they needed to be.”

Cyrus swallows and looks down. “And the others?”

Enki shakes his head and then looks over at me; it’s an odd look of sadness and loss.

“Is everything okay?” I ask, curious as to why the mood shifted from tense to teasing to morose.

Cyrus opens the car door for me. “Don’t worry about it.”

Enki draws a breath as if to speak, but Cyrus shakes his head and opens his door too.

We’ve both been silenced, but over what?

The drive back isn’t as tense as the drive in. The mood feels more like everyone has lost hope, and I don’t like or understand it. One minute they’re joking around the next minute they look so depressed they could cry. The tension in the air is thick, palpable.

Even the sea is calm next to us, and I’m oddly unsettled. Since when did I ever prefer the chaos of storms to the light? I’ve always been petrified of them, until I got here. Frowning, I tuck away the alarming thought and fold my arms across my chest.

When we pull up to the bar Enki exits the car without a word and walks down the sidewalk. Cyrus says nothing, just grabs the plate with a sigh and walks into the house.

Frowning, I stroll through the bar and take a seat at the Mahogony bar top, but something tickles my nose. Every hair on my arm starts to rise up, and I try to place the odd smell that seems to linger in the air, warning me that somethings not right.

“Cyrus.’ I whisper his name as understanding dawns on me. He wasn’t going into the kitchen, right? One spark…I gather my wits and stand up from the bar. The stool scrapes along the floor and I wince, no friction, no sparks. There’s a gas leak somewhere I’d bet my life on it.

“Cyrus!” I shout, taking purposefully strides toward the kitchen, then finding it empty, I take hall toward his office. The thick door is closed tightly and I knock a panicked rhythm.

“Come in.” His deep voice is muffled by the door, and I slowly open it, careful to not create static, not create any friction. “Cyrus, don’t you smell that? It’s a gas leak, we need to get out of here, and oh no! Cat!” I panic and turn, looking for the him .

When I turn back to Cyrus, I expect some sort of urgency in his expression, but what I see is exhaustion, and then reluctant acceptance. Does he not care? His bar could blow up at any minute, his cat’s missing, and what about other employees? Tenants?

“It’s probably better this way.” He mumbled so lowly I almost missed it. I do a double take. Is he insane?

“Did you want your bar to blow up? Am I missing something? I mean, I kind of have a will to live.”

His eyebrows rose, then he gives me a scornful grin.

I try to stay as calm as possible. “Call the fire department, isn’t what were supposed to do? I can’t remember, I?—”

He actually as the audacity to flip the page he’s working on and keep reading. “Thinking under pressure isn’t your strong suit, is it?”

I cast him a baleful glare, then sober. “I’m leaving and grabbing Bast. I’m saving myself.” Turning I was about to leave when I hear him murmur,. “If only.”

Whatever I’m not going to stay for any more cryptic remarks. I start towards the front door. “Bast! Kitty kitty!” I call . When I open the front door of the Pub its to find the naked cat waiting for me on the porch. “Ah, so you’re the smart one, unlike your owner.” I reach down and pick him up. His warm skin presses against my hands. The sound of fire engines fill the air. Maybe Cyrus decided to live another day and call the authorities.

An hour later, I decide that maybe moving to Deer Harbor wasn’t the best decision I’ve ever made as I watch the Fire department put a sign on the Bar’s door that it’s closed for the next few weeks while the gas company does repairs.

I feel rather than see Cyrus walk up beside me. Odd how I can always tell it’s him, like instinct.

“The gas is shut off but they can’t find the leak, so you can’t stay here. But don’t worry, I’m not going to turn you out onto the streets. I have a guest house, you’re welcome to stay there. As far as employment, the bar’s closed, but I have some research I need another set of eyes on. You were studying similar subject matter as your brother, were you not?”

I take a deep breath. “Yeah, I took a break from University, but I’m familiar with all the Egyptology material.”

“That’s good, then I can still offer you employment, just of a different variety. And you’ll be at my house where I have the collections so that will be easier for you as well.”

Being in that close proximity to Cyrus presented a new sort of danger, one that seems riskier than the gas leak at the bar, but what choice did I have? “Thanks, I appreciate it. Um, my stuff? Can I go and grab my things or is the whole place shut for the time being?”

“I’ll ask the firemen.” Cyrus replies , then moves away, taking the ever-present heat that surrounded him away as well.

It was later that night, lying in Cyrus’guesthouse bed attempting to fall asleep that I first dreamed of the light, and the fire. The dream was so real, it took me a minute to clear the fog from my mind when my eyes finally open and adjusted to the sunlight streaming through my window. “Ok, weird.” I croak . Rolling to my side, I slowly stood from the bed and frowned. The pristine white sheets were smeared with faint black streaks, like thick pencil marks or…smeared ashes. The faint scent of campfire lingered in the air and I wondered if maybe I’d missed a bondire the night before, but I was exhausted, so I’d fallen directly asleep, clothes and all.

I wake up and stretch, then move over to the window. I need fresh air, but when I look out I see the same squirrel from the bar or I’m assuming so? The other animals are gathered all around too. Cryrus must have moved all the animals too, which would make sense since no one will be there to care for them. I wave at the squirrel, odd that it seems normal, and make my way outside.

I stop at the tree where the squirrel lives. He scurries down and stops right by my feet. His fur’s a deep caramel with black stripes down to his tail.

I touch the tree, and my palm heats when it hits the bark. The tree feels so warm and alive that I end up putting both palms on the main trunk. I glance around and count a few more just like this one. They almost look like several sticks stacked up against the bricks protecting the animals or creating a sort of cage. They aren’t trees I would normally see in the Pacific Northwest.

I don’t know what makes me do it, maybe frustration, curiosity, or just a dumb decision, but I climb up to the spot in the middle of the tree and sit. I hold onto the old branches. It’s somewhat flat, almost like this used to be a bench or something.

I smile. The view’s perfect. It’s the bar my brother frequented and it’s my new home even if it is a bit strange just like it’s owner.

“Hey!” A loud voice shouts. “Nobody sits in the tree without permission, it’s used for other purposes.” A man is walking toward the tree, the groundskeeper, I think. He’s wearing green working clothes with brown gloves, and he’s holding a shovel that I’m not entirely sure he’s not going to wield in the air toward me. I mean it at least makes sense that somebody takes care of this idyllic little getaway behind the bar and between the streets.

“Sorry.” I look over my shoulder and back away slowly. “I just thought…it would be nice.”

Rat starts to make a ton of noise then throws his nut like a petulant child. I don’t dare laugh.

“My apologies.” The groundskeeper tilts his head then looks between me and the squirrel like the animal is the boss and the groundskeeper is just managing things for him. “Sit wherever you want, ma’am, my apologies.”

The old man scurries off, shovel in hand. Rat retrieves his nut then comes back and actually sits next to me.

“I have to admit, I’m not the Disney princess sort, but you’re super cute.” I reach out and lightly touch his head, and I swear the damn thing looks up and smiles at me then sighs.

Weird.

I’ve never even had a pet.

Other than the naked cat upstairs, that is. Which reminds me, he probably needs to be fed again. Where does Cyrus keep his cat food?

I make a mental note to ask if I need to figure all that out since the cat seems to be attached, and so does Rat. Of the animals I’d met they all seemed attached, well except for the mean cow, which Cyrus assured me actually used acts of violence to say “hi”.

“It was a weird day, Rat. A very weird day.” I don’t know why I’m talking to a squirrel.

Apparently, this is what I’ve come to; plus he wouldn’t think I was crazy if I suddenly told him I saw his tree burning or that earlier when looking at Dag I felt nothing but chaos in my soul, an unsettling storm I still have issues coming to grips with.

Rat moves closer, then closer again, until finally he rests a paw on my thigh, before scurrying off again.

My imagination must be strong here.

The wind suddenly picks up and roars around us in a chaotic rhythm. I see it in my mind’s eye. A tree on an island snapping in half falling over for no reason. I frown and hear myself whisper. “Why?”

“Because.” I hear an answer in the wind. “Chaos demands it.”

I fall out of the tree and land so hard that I hit my head against the ground. The whisper was hoarse, full of so much pain that my chest hurts and my hands shake. It feels like someone just spoke into my brain.

“What the hell are you doing? You scared the shit out of the groundskeeper,” comes Cyrus’s voice.

I rub my head and get up to my knees, he pulls me to my feet. He’s changed into a black sweater and black jeans, but he’s in a pair of Birkenstocks which frankly would look ridiculous on most people.

Why am I staring down like a lunatic and admiring his feet?

The grass next to it is hypnotizing. I start to sway a bit.

“Careful.” He tugs me toward him roughly. “You could get hurt. You are in unfamiliar territory.

”Sorry, this isn’t the most normal environment.” He looks back at the mountains and frowns as a storm starts to build over Mount Olympus. “Anyway, you want to go to the warehouse where we keep the collections.”

I nod.

He inclines his head and lets out a rough exhale, how it’s possible for his dark hair to look so immaculate is intimidating in and of itself. “Follow me.”

I have a feeling I’m not going to like this, but I follow him anyway. We go around the side of the house and to a large blacked out building and then through another set of doors after the first entryway until we’re in a dark hall with torches lining the sides. It feels like I’m in an actual Egyptian temple.

He doesn’t look back but grabs a torch and keeps walking. “Trust me, the interns lose their minds when they see this place. I had it designed to look like The Temple of Ra or at least one of them. There’s only one way in, one way out. The windows face the Nile and the ocean respectively but once inside, it’s easy to get lost in the dark. Whenever you are, search for the sun coming in from the windows and follow it to the entrance.” We go down another hall, then another. Torches are lined down the entryway. Everything is set in old stone down to the cement statues we pass on each side, until we go into the first room.

He holds the torch high and puts it on the wall closest to him. “The first chamber, the second is used for rest if needed, and the third is the bathroom.”

I perk up. “Really?”

“No.” He laughs. “It’s for worship. When I say I built it for Ra, I built it to the exact specifications of what ancient Egyptians would. But, the bathroom is only back the way we came in the main house. It’s not like we lock people in here.”

“Oh,” I laugh. “I wasn’t thinking that.”

He gives me a warm smile. “Your brother and the other interns aren’t locked in any dungeons. Shall I show you the third chamber then?”

I nod, not entirely sure I really want to see it since it keeps getting darker, and then the sun from the windows seeps in lighting up our walk down one more hall until we enter into a small room with a massive stone altar in the very middle.

I take a step back.

Cyrus grabs one of the torches lit up on the wall and tosses it into what I thought was water lining the walls. Instead it lights up the entire room, surrounding us and the large black altar. So, apparently that wasn’t water.

There’s a mote on the altar that looks like something out of the Mummy series. I’m not exactly getting happy feelings. It’s killing me not to ask if it’s ever been used, because of course in ancient times it was probably used, let’s just pray it was for a cow and not a person.

“So.” Cyrus clasps his hands together. “Go ahead and take a look around. Your brother mostly worked in the second chamber going over different stories about The Book of Life and the different family lines that were traced back to Egypt. He jokingly said he was looking for yours and found your name in one of the entries. He’s been obsessed ever since.” He pauses. “I trust you’ll be fine. I’m back at the house in my office if you have any questions, stay as long as you want. I hope it helps.”

I take a much needed breath. “It’s kind of dark in here, is it always like this?”

Cyrus smiles. “The world is dark without a sun is it not?”

“Right.” I laugh. “And we’re in a building, makes sense.”

He inclines his head as sunlight seeps through the window landing across the wall and lighting it up.

A spear is hanging on the wall. Its spearhead is covered in what looks like real gold and is around two feet long before it molds into the shape of a sun then goes down into the rest of the spear. How would one even hold something so sharp? As the flickers of fire dance off the walls, the weapon almost glistens. “What the hell is that?”

“A god killer.” His gaze softens, and he reaches out to touch it like he’s fond of it. “Or so they say. It’s the Spear of Ra, what else could it possibly be?”

“But that was fake.”

“Of course.” He smiles and crosses his arms. “It’s the only replica of what they thought it would look like in the modern world.”

I smile as he tilts his head at it. “Do you, um, also read bedtime stories to it at night and cuddle with it or?—?”

“Of course not.” His lips quirk. “Sharp objects and all.”

When I get closer it seems to have its own sparkle of sunlight. I stumble back as I realize that there are several Egyptian hieroglyphics lining the walls. And the walls themselves have claw marks like someone was trying to break free but trapped here instead. “And these, do I want to know what these are?”

I know it’s not an ancient prison, but it sure feels like it used to be part of one. Maybe they took part of that wall as an artifact and kept it here? Yeah, that has to be it. Totally makes sense.

I did not sign up for dungeons for Spring Break. I’m more of a Panama Beach sort of girl at least until I have to buckle down, like Jake clearly already has.

Cyrus keeps following my gaze. “I know you’ll have lots of questions about his research. You can always use your phone to look things up—that’s allowed in here, but that’s also why Jake went off to wander. This is one of the only islands in the Puget Sound where archeologists have found Egyptian hieroglyphics. Nobody can explain it, some things just can’t be. Anyway, be careful when you go out. He points. “Use the power of that shiny thing in your pocket.”

“Shiny thing? I didn’t steal anything. I promise.”

“Your phone,” he whispers.

I can do this, and if doing this means I get one step closer to finding Jake, then it’s going to be worth it, sacrificial table or not.

“Try not to think too much into it, it’s not like your grade depends on it like Jake’s did.” He starts to leave.

“Wait!” I call after him. I really don’t want to be alone. “How far will you be?”

He tilts his head in a predatory manner. “How about I go as far as you want me to?”

How far will he take you. A voice whispers.

I stumble back.

He smiles. “Ignore the voices. It’s a hazard of working in here. The dead scream from the Nile and everything in here has been dipped in it. They can’t help it.”

I frown. “You really believe that?”

“You don’t, even after hearing what you just did?”

“How did you know?—”

“—Because you looked like you saw a ghost. Should I calm the voices for you, Cleo?”

I lick my dry lips. “How would you do that, Cyrus? I’m genuinely curious now.” And a bit terrified but I don’t say that.

His eyes light up matching the sun. He walks towards me then around me until he’s behind me. He covers my eyes from behind with one hand then leans in to my right ear. “May I have permission?”

What’s happening?

I’m compelled to say “yes” but I can’t find my words so I simply nod with his warm hand still covering my eyes. “It’s an ancient spell after honoring the sun but only certain people may speak it. And no, you don’t want to know why. Never repeat this…” His lips graze my ear. “Sa, Sa, Sa.” I think it means protect. “Al Mawt Asfet. Protection. Death. Chaos. The Sun now silences them all.”

He moves his hands from my eyes down my face to my ears. In my head I hear listen . I can’t hear anything but my ears are burning from his hands. Watch , it says.

I open my eyes and stumble backwards against him. In front of me is Anubis, like actually Anubis. He’s wearing the head of a jackal, has gold rings around his arms and tattoos lining his body. He’s in nothing but a short black leather skirt and sandals. “Really?” His voice is nothing like I would imagine, not that I spent any time thinking about that particulat subject matter. Nope, none of this is part of my normal, that’s for sure.

Wait, did he just say really?

“She was hearing the voices.” Cyrus says from behind me. “I had no choice but to call you in.”

Anubis puts a hand on his hip then stares or I think stares at me unless I’m hallucinating which I probably am right? This is all a dream or I’m going crazy. “Fine. Hi there, Cleo. I’ll silence the voices for now, next time text you jackass.” He slams his staff onto the ground and disappears in a plume of white smoke.

“See?” Cyrus says from behind me. “All better?”

All better? All better? I try to wrap my head around it.

I don’t realize I’m shivering until Cyrus wraps his arms around me from behind. He’s so warm, so comforting. It’s so wrong but I like it. I don’t even know him but I feel like I could trust him with my very life.

“It gets easier.” He turns me in his arms. “Seeing things you think you shouldn’t see. But I assure you, Anubis is real, as is the underworld, you just need to know how to conjure it.”

I gulp and finally find my voice only able to stare at his chin when I talk. “So what? You’re some sort of wizard.”

His laugh startles me. Straight white teeth are in perfect contrast to his tan skin. “I make your wizards look tame.”

The hair on the back of my neck rises. “You can let me go now.”

“Eventually, I guess I’ll have to.” He says cryptically releasing his arms from me. “All better now?”

“I can’t believe you’re actually asking me that after what I just saw!” I take a step back, reality slamming into me and making me question everything.

He smirks. “Makes you wonder why everyone wants to work for me right? It’s quite magical here. Enjoy your time, Cleo.”

He starts to walk away. “Oh hell no. I’m not staying in here by myself! I just saw freaking Anubis or at least I think I did, I’m not sure. Am I hallucinating?”

Cyrus shrugs. “You seem lucid.”

“Thank you?”

“You’re welcome.”

“Stay.” I’m practically begging. “Or let me come with you.”

“But I got rid of the voices.” He smirks. “Do you need more assistance?”

“What are you a robot?” I shriek. “No. None of this is normal.”

“Do you want to forget it happened?”

“YES!”

“Ah, it was too soon. Alright.” He walks up to me and grabs me by the shoulders. “This spell is quite easier.” Before I can say anything, he’s kissing me. His tongue dives into my mouth. He tastes like sweet heat. I wrap my arms around him. He picks me up and sets me on the sacrificial table, exactly not where I want to be—his taste is everything. I’ve never been kissed like this before. I’m jumping into the flames when suddenly it feels like cold water got dumped on me.

I pull away. Wait, what just happened? I blink, frowning at the close proximity of Cyrus’ face.

Why am I sitting?

Cyrus tilts his head at me. “Like I said, enjoy your time. I’ll see you soon.”

He leaves.

And I’m still sitting wondering what the hell just happened and why I blacked out the last few minutes of conversation. I frown the entire way back to the second chamber then sit at my brother’s workstation. I continue to frown for the next half hour. Something’s off I just can’t figure out what.

Annoyingly confused, I hop down from the stone altar, fleetingly wondering why on earth I’d ever choose to take a seat there , and walk over to my brother’s desk. The only two books he has are part of The Book of Life with a listing of various spells for the afterlife, ones that involve people turning into light so they get a free pass to attack any snakes that may follow you to the afterlife.

The only topic I know about the books on Immortals and Book of Life is that one explains the Egyptian lifestyle of worship and the gods. I hazily remember a few names of people who have died and conjured spells into the afterlife. Every family member would record their line as to not be forgotten and earn a spot in the afterlife. I’m sure my history is a bit fuzzy since I’m not as far through the program as Jake but if this is what he was looking at, then I’m curious.

I frown and slowly crack open the first page of the historical book.

I read, thankful I actually know some Egyptian and Greek words. “These are the accounts of Ra, God of the Sun, the Forefather of Heaven, Earth, Hell.”

I almost drop the book.

The statue I saw earlier, that was Ra. I know him, he’s like…Cronus from Greek mythology, but according to the myths and legends he was chased by Chaos his entire life. Apep would stop at nothing to destroy him, so day and night, Ra would fight him with his spear. I gulp and look over at the wall and shake my head, even though the spears in the other room it’s like I can see it. It’s fine. It’s not real. He would fight him and in order to keep humanity human, he would spear the God of Chaos in the skies only to fight him again. The only reason the world exists, according to this mythology, is because Ra does as well.

I turn the next page.

Then the next.

And I see a picture of something I didn’t expect and almost shut the book.

Ra, shining like the sun, overlooking the earth, encompassing half of it with his body, and he’s smiling.

And Apollo? Wait, why is Apollo in this? Anubis? Osiris? I jerk back and look at the title of the book again. Why are non-Egyptian gods in this book?

Ra stands tall, the sun behind him, and then he bows. The rest of the gods do the same around him. What sort of book is this?

No, he’s…smiling as his hands are spread wide and blood drips down his body, while everyone raises weapons around him.

He’s smiling like he’s happy he’s about to die.

Why would he want to die?

Wait, why is he getting thrown off a mountain? Or is he falling? Is the sun falling? The next picture has him landing on earth in fire. That’s terrifying. The sun actually falling out of the sky. Why was Jake studying Ra, of all gods?

I turn the next page carefully and find another picture.

Ra falls and his blood spills over an altar eerily similar to the one in the other room, his hand is reaching up toward the sky, fire engulfs it..

The page next to it shows more pictures and one specifically of a feral looking storm with teeth trying to devour Ra.

It’s the same bloody scene I saw at the pub. Is it Ra and Apep then? Chaos chasing the sun?

I hate it even more now that I’ve seen the other pictures.

I hate that someone would paint this, how could this ever benefit anyone? Even if you did believe it? I flip the page and let out a gasp.

A piece of paper falls out of the next page. It’s been copied front and back and lists name after name of people.

At the bottom of the first page in my brother’s handwriting it says:

The heart of Ra isn’t broken. It simply turned to stone with Apep’s sword still in it. Ra’s mouth is open, and his essence pours across Apep. Ra’s brightness, the brightness of the sun, swallows Chao’s darkness whole.

I quickly read the script beneath it.

“And then, the worshipers knew who the true god was, as the demon was revealed, the world was turned into turmoil, so Ra along with the remaining gods made a pact, while Apep was sent to Earth to roam. The gods would have one human trial each to prove their place on Mount Olympus, for the wars between the gods have destroyed what was left of each strong deity. Only those remaining will absorb the rest of the powers and reign for an eternity.”

That’s where it ends?

I flip the paper over and in his same scribble he writes:

“The gods agreed, each of them slicing their palms and dripping blood over this very book. They would go to trial one at a time—but if they failed—trapped on Earth and bound to a job given to them by the gods they failed—will be their destiny .”

I want to keep going but I’m a bit freaked out reading my brother’s handwriting and findings. It doesn’t help that the same sacrificial looking thing is in the same building as me. Plus, I’m getting tired, I probably need to see the sun and go for a walk.

When I get up and turn, Cyrus is leaning against the wall by the door.

I jump a foot. “You scared the crap out of me.”

He pushes away from the wall. “Sorry. Find anything you like?”

Clearly, when it comes to Cyrus I have no censor, so I just blurt, “Why would the gods agree to human trials? I mean they’re gods.”

“I didn’t think that book was in here.” Cyrus frowns and looks over at my desk, he doesn’t expand on it at all. “Let’s feed you first. I can see you’re liking your brother’s research?”

I relax a bit. “Yes. It’s perfect.”

“Thought so.” He glances at me again then away as he grabs the torch. It’s almost like he wants to say something else, but instead he locks the door behind him with one hand, hangs up the key, and carries the torch down the hallway. “All journeys are hard. Jake’s. Yours. Try to enjoy the lessons you learn on the way. That’s my only advice. Maybe you’ll find yourself here in the next week. You never know. The universe always has its reasons.”

We walk out of the warehouse and into the main part of the house, and his voice lowers. “You should retire directly after dinner. I think it’s best you rest now. It’s been a rough few days.”

As if on cue, I open my mouth and a yawn slips free.

He smiles and looks down.

Damn, the man is gorgeous. How could I not be attracted to him?

His dark hair and hypnotic eyes that I refuse to actually meet now. His massiveness. He moves toward me.

My breath hitches.

Is he hitting on me?

My back hits the wall, and his smirk widens. His hand raises, and I stop breathing altogether. Then the torch is set back in its place. “Sorry, had to return the fire. You’ll need it tomorrow.”

“Oh, right, yup, thought so, yup.” Did I say “yup” twice, really?

He nods and holds out his hand. “Dinner? I know we skipped lunch.”

“Will we have visitors?” I ask.

“We always do.” He shrugs.

“Because you’re so kind?” I suggest.

He lowers his head and gives me a sad look. “Because they really can’t help the loneliness time brings.”