Sett and his King (Demon Gods #3)

10. Drew

Drew

I t was only supposed to be a simple display of gratitude but it had turned to so much more overnight.

Before Horus had taken me in, I enjoyed sex. I enjoyed flirting and kissing and dating. I enjoyed my sexuality with all of my being.

But since Horus, it was something that had been reserved for him and only him. So, offering Sett my body it was a way for me to reclaim it once again. I never anticipated that it would also feel this good, this liberating. This redemptive.

And the worst part was that I wanted more of it. I wanted him again and again and again. And that was exactly what I did after I shut the bar down and took him back home.

Even the house knew what we both wanted, as it opened straight into the bedroom. So I had no choice or excuse but to have my wicked way with him.

Being with him made me forget. It made me forget even if for moments at a time of the fact I didn't belong to myself. It made me forget I belonged to a monster.

Being with Sett made me lose myself just a little bit.

Wasn't it funny that a few hours ago—or was it days? I was starting to lose track of time—I’d thought Sett was the same as his brother, but now I was giving myself to him, without hesitation, of my own accord? There was something seriously wrong with my head, but after so many years of enslavement that was bound to happen. Could anyone blame me if I was so fucked up that I didn't know what I wanted? That I changed my mind so easily? That I was not a good person and that I did some not-so-good things?

Eventually we let exhaustion send us to sleep and we lay next to each other, on the same bed, as if we were more.

It was strange sleeping with company I didn't detest. That I didn't feel like throwing up or wanting to gouge his eyes out. Because that was what I was used to after sleeping next to Horus all this time. Not that he often let that happen. The man was obsessed with his safety but it had happened occasionally.

When sleep took me that night I dreamt of pyramids and sand dunes and bright blue skies and butterflies. So many butterflies.

They were so strong I could still feel them fluttering about deep inside me when I woke up.

"Good morning," he said beside me and I turned to find him staring.

Was it wrong that I liked him here? And was it bad that he looked at me as if I were a snack and I didn't mind?

"Good morning." I sat up and gave the god in my bed a kiss.

The butterflies in me flared with excitement. So did little Drew. What was happening to me?

"How long have you been up?" I asked.

I didn't even know what time it was. I couldn't remember the last time I'd slept so peacefully. So either I'd spent the whole day in bed or his company had put me at ease.

"Not long." He sighed and I winced.

"Remind me to introduce you to mouth hygiene, dude." I laughed.

He glared at me with a confused expression for a moment before realization crossed his eyes and he clasped his mouth shut. "I'm so sorry," he said.

I laughed harder.

"I'm so sorry."

He shot out of bed and I tried to grab him, to pull him back to me, to give him a reassuring hug, but he pulled away glancing at me as if he'd committed a cardinal sin.

"I was just kidding," I said. "Come here."

"No." He shook his head. "I need to do the thing."

"The thing?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Brush my teeth. Yeah, that's it," he explained. "Will you show me?"

It must’ve been so confusing and yet so handy having another person in his head giving him all the information and knowledge he was missing. I couldn't fathom what it felt like, although I probably had an inkling it was similar to being compelled to doing something against my will.

"Of course." I chuckled and pulled him by the hand into the bathroom so I could introduce him to the wonders of modern hygiene.

It wasn't long before I got back to exploring his mouth with my tongue. I feared it was quickly becoming my favorite pastime. Somehow, we ended up under the shower, kissing, stroking, sucking. Eventually, we made it to the kitchen for a much-deserved, much-needed breakfast.

Yaya was in front of the hob, her favorite place in the world, busy with the oil and dough mix that smelled sweet and greasy.

My stomach grumbled in response.

"Well if you two aren't glowing this morning. I wonder why."

My cheeks felt warm as I leaned in to kiss her cheek.

"Uhm, yeah. It's this new face cream," I told her.

"Of course it is, my love," she rolled her eyes and as I took my seat, Sett walked up to her and kissed her on the cheek too.

Weird, but not gonna lie, cute.

"You must be the new cream," she said and Sett looked from her to me with confusion while I died a little inside.

"Yaya!" I shouted.

She laughed.

"Oh it's nice having people in the house again." She sighed. "Although, Evgenios is still not home. Have you heard from him?"

And just like that, reality came crashing back down.

It was good while it lasted, this bliss, but we had a job to do and I'd all but forgotten. Or more accurately, ignored it.

I had to save my brother.

"Yeah, I just spoke to him actually." I turned away from her so she couldn't see the pain and guilt in my eyes. "He's just having fun with some new friends. He's fine. I promise you. He'll be back in no time."

I'd make sure of that.

"Well, tell him I love him and that I've got his favorite meal in the freezer for whenever he's back."

I gave her a noncommittal nod and took the plate of deep-fried dough balls from her, poured honey all over them and placed it between us so Sett and I could share. Though my appetite had disappeared.

Sett on the other hand, wolfed them down one after the other and for the first time I wondered if gods had different appetites. After the night we'd just had I was tempted to say yes.

Focus Drew.

I needed to get back on track.

"Don't worry," he said in between mouthfuls and I glanced at him. "We'll get to him and bring him back home. You'll see. When can you do the trick you mentioned to find the scarab?"

I almost flew out of the chair. Yaya jumped but I handed her the plate of dough balls and dragged her out of the kitchen.

"You better keep her out!" I warned the house then got to work.

I got a pot and put it over the stove next to the still sizzling frying pan.

"What?" I asked when I noticed Sett staring. "There's no time like here and now."

He stepped forward and wiped his sticky mouth I wanted to taste so badly and said: "How can I help?"

I bit back the desire to lick him clean, to hold him close, to gaze into his eyes and focused on the pot instead.

"We need a tracking spell," I mumbled.

The kitchen reorganized itself around me so everything I needed was close and I reached for the first ingredient.

A sprig of rosemary for clarity and connection.

Fifty grams of dandelion root to divine what was lost.

A whole ginger root, full of energy and intention.

Cook until charred, add three pinches of powdered quartz, ten grams of moon water and the feather of a white owl to clear the path.

Drawers, cupboards, whole pieces of furniture moved to give me what I wanted.

And what I wanted was answers.

I took a deep breath, stormed out of the room and came back in to add the last ingredient.

I popped the vial open and poured the sand from the pyramid into the pot—the only connection we had to the eldritch witch that had entered the secret chamber and stolen the scarab I needed to save my brother.

Stir three times clockwise. Wait five seconds. Stir three more times clockwise, and once counterclockwise.

In an instant the ingredients combined and all turned into a deep green sludge that I scooped up and put in a wooden bowl.

"It's ready." I turned to him and smiled.

He was staring at me. He'd been staring at me the whole time, but I hadn't acknowledged him. I didn't need any more distractions. But his gaze? It set my fucking heart on fire! I could get lost in it. I reveled in the way he looked at me and right now he looked at me as if I was a marvel.

And the dream butterflies flared inside.

Those damn butterflies.

Where had they come from?

It was because I was close to freedom. I was so close to liberating myself and my brother from Horus's hold that I'd manifested those damn creatures.

Yeah.

That was all it was.

That was all it could be.

I took a deep breath, picked up the wooden bowl with the potion and carried it out of the kitchen and into Dad's office.

His desk, with the ancient computer sitting on top, was waiting for me.

"Okay, how does it work?" Sett asked.

I switched the computer on, dipped my fingers in the sludge, and smeared it across the screen. It glitched for a second, the magic mixing with technology but then the sludge disappeared and I clicked on the browser, typed Who is the eldritch witch that stole the scarab from the pyramid of Neferirkare and hit enter.

The tower fan whirred louder and louder, an ugly noise that made me fear it would break before the potion could take effect, but then it slowed down and the screen loaded up on a map with a pin drop in the very middle.

"I think we found them." I zoomed in. "Amethyst City, New Jersey."

Sett narrowed his eyes, licked his bottom lip and nodded.

"Okay, let's go get the scarab back," he said and gave me his hand.

The butterflies got going again, not that they ever stopped but I huffed and let Sett guide me out of the door and into the streets of Amethyst City.

It was nice and sunny there, unlike London, which always seemed to be so miserable and cold, as if out of spite.

I hated being tethered to London because of Horus, because of what he needed from me. I missed the days when we could go anywhere, work from anywhere in the world, and still come back home to each other.

Hopefully soon we could go back to that.

We only had to turn the corner before we came across a sign that read Magickal Apothecary .

"This is it," I said.

Sett puffed up and walked ahead of me with purpose. When he got to the front door he opened it like a gentleman.

Definitely not like his brother .

A petite Asian man peeked through stacks of boxes, books and clothes with a big smile and an even bigger magical signature.

"Hi. Welcome to the Magickal Apothecary. How can I help?"

"Are you the owner?" I asked when we reached the counter.

"I am indeed." He offered me his hand and I made to shake it. "I'm Yu-jin. Nice to meet you."

My body seized and I almost choked on my own saliva.

The owner stared at me but it took me a moment to compose myself and realize he'd said Yu-jin. It sounded a hella lot like Eugene. It was as if fate was laughing at me.

"Drew," I said.

Yu-jin squeezed my hand. "Your accent is delicious," he said.

I grimaced.

"Thanks. I guess."

"Sorry. That was weird. I have a thing for accents. Just ask my husband."

I looked around but I found no one else.

"He's not here, but believe me his British accent is demonic. Well, it would be, considering he's a demon."

Yu-jin was so nonchalant about the statement that it took a second to register.

"Wait, your husband's a demon?" I asked.

"Yeah he is." His face darkened. "If you have a problem with that, you'll have to find another shop to stock up on your magical supplies. We don't serve bigots here," he warned.

"No," I said. "I-I don't have a problem. It's just…demons are not very common, that's all."

"I know," he said and crossed his hands. "But they're becoming more common. Demons, gods. It's a new age."

"You could say that again," I mumbled.

A new age of destruction and greed and…servitude.

"Anyway, how can I help you today, Drew?" Yu-jin asked.

"Well, Yu-jin, I'm looking for an eldritch witch," I started. "I don't know their name or who they are or how long ago they came into possession of what I'm looking for, but…my potion brought me here."

A slithery black tail wrapped around Yu-jin and it leveled with my eyes, its sharp end swaying from side to side as if threatening me with impalement.

I put my hands up in surrender just as Sett growled. "I promise I come in peace. We both do." I glanced at the god and put my hand on his shoulder hoping it'd be enough to stop him from doing something stupid.

"Yeah, I've heard that before," Yu-jin said.

Sett flashed Yu-jin his teeth again.

I couldn't have this. I couldn't let these two go at it. Not right now. Gene's life was at stake. I didn't have time for this bullshit.

"Stop. Both of you. I-I promise you, Yu-jin. I don't want to hurt you. I…it's just…how do I explain this?" I sighed and looked up for help, but of course there was no divine intervention. I closed my eyes, swallowed the frog in my throat and bit my lip. "Okay, here's the deal," I began. "I am enslaved to an ancient Egyptian god, and in order to save myself, I summoned another Egyptian god, him, to help me. But the only way to free me and my brother is with a magical scarab."

I hoped it was magical.

Were we looking for an actual, live scarab?

I shook the errant thought from my head and focused on Yu-jin.

"A scarab has the power to trap a god's powers,” Sett interjected.

“Yes, and when we went to find it in the pyramid it was hidden in, it wasn't there, but…my friend, the god, here managed to detect the energy signature of an eldritch witch as the only person to step through the pyramid since he locked it away. So I brewed a locator potion and it brought us here."

I felt out of breath. How could I not be considering everything that had happened in the last twenty-four hours, let alone the last three years.

I patted my pocket and checked for my inhaler. Still there, thank fuck.

Yu-jin's tail dropped back behind him, and he straightened.

"That is quite the story." He exhaled.

"It's not a story. It's true," I said.

He pursed his lips and nodded. "Yes, I know. I…I think I know what you're looking for. My mum, she was a collector, just like her mother before her." He took a pause to look around him as if contemplating something before he continued. "Let me show you something."

He walked around the counter and continued into the depths of his shop.

Sett went after him first. I followed closely, navigating in the dark until a single light bulb flickered on.

Yu-jin took a painting off the wall and revealed a safe behind. Inside was a small, square glass case. And right there in the middle? A bejewelled stone in the shape of a scarab.

"This is it," Sett confirmed. He turned to me with a beautiful reassuring smile.

"It's been in our possession for as long as I can remember. I'm not even sure my mum knows how it came in our possession. We didn't know what it was, but we could feel the energy coming off it, which is why we've kept it sealed off."

We were so close I could almost taste it. Close to freedom.

I put my fingers out to touch the glass when Yu-jin shoved the whole thing into my arms.

"Take it, please," he said.

"I can pay," I said.

He shook his head. "I wouldn't know what to do with it. I wouldn't feel good with myself charging you for it. Besides, if it grants you your freedom it's all worth it."

A pang of guilt beat in my chest, making my heart ache.

"Thank you," I whispered and accepted the gift. "I…I hope I'll be back again soon to patronize your shop."

"I'll look forward to that. I hope you're free next time I see you," he answered with a sad smile. I turned to leave when he raised his voice. "And you." He pointed at Sett. "You better protect him with all your might because you have no idea what he's going through."

It sounded as if he was talking from experience but I didn't prod for answers.

Sett breathed in and squeezed my shoulder. "Trust me. I do," he said and we walked out, back into the streets of Amethyst City and one step closer to freedom.

"Does it work?" I asked Sett when we returned home.

I went straight through to the living room where a bottle of wine and two glasses were already waiting for us and laid the glass case down.

Sett took the glass apart as I obliterated my glass of wine and watched him move the scarab from one hand to the other, rolling it between his fingers as if it were a dice and not my whole life he was playing with.

"It does." he said. "It's so strange. I can…I can feel his power inside. I don't understand how he retained part of it. It was supposed to wipe it out completely."

I shrugged. "Beats me."

Sett sighed.

"Well, we've got what we need. Now we can save your brother."

He leaned into me with joy and I felt rotten.

I took him into my arms because I could use some of his positivity. I really could.

My lips guided me to his as if on instinct and the butterflies got wild within me yet again. They made me feel almost sick but I couldn't find it in me to stop.

He set the scarab down and pinned me against his body as I laid us down on the sofa and explored his body with my hands. His fingers trailed along my spine all the way to the small of my back sending shivers all over me.

I needed this one last time. I needed him.

So I took him, kissed his mouth, his neck, his everything, shedding clothes and time as if they were trivial. He was so hard for me, so needy. I fed off it. It was intoxicating, and even more intoxicating was how much he enjoyed being dominated.

I'd never tried to use my power before but after seeing how much he wanted it, how much he enjoyed it, I didn't know why I hadn't tried it sooner. Maybe I needed someone like him to show me it was okay and give me permission.

Choice and consent was so sexy.

I groaned as I worked my way down his body taking him in my mouth. He was big and thick and hot. And I couldn't have enough of him.

Unlike Horus, he didn't try to push himself deeper, he didn't try to force me. He just laid back and enjoyed everything I was giving him. How could these two be so completely different?

Why did they have to be so different?

He gazed into my eyes as I sucked him dry, and the guilt rubbed at the pit of my stomach. I couldn't stand it. I really couldn't.

I let go of him, spread his legs wide open, froze him in time, and fucked him. At least when he was frozen he couldn't look at me with those puppy dog eyes. Or to be more precise, I could look at him and not feel like the worst person in the world.

When I came, it was inside him and he was none the wiser. Not until I crawled back up to him and kissed him back to reality and he cuddled me to sleep.

When I woke up, he was still asleep.

I had no idea what time it was, or how long I'd been out. What I did know was that I had a job to do so I froze him again and got out of his arms, walked into the kitchen and got to work.

My insides flared as if grieving for what could have been, but…

There was nothing I could do now.

I walked back into the living room, coffee in hand and woke him up with a kiss on the lips.

He smiled when he opened his eyes. My stomach sank.

"Hey," he said.

"Hey. I made coffee."

He took in a deep breath and hummed with pleasure before sitting up and taking the mug from me.

"We need to make a game plan," he said and took a sip. "We might have the scarab," another sip, "but he's tricked me before. This time I need—" A third sip.

The effects were instant.

The mug slipped from his fingers but before he could burn from the hot liquid, his eyes rolled back and he collapsed, dead to the world.

And dead to me.