15. Long time no see, Anubis
Aleiraah
Closing my eyes I incant the spell that Mother taught me all those years ago.
Thinking of her always makes me feel warm from within. And for some reason, I miss her fiercely right at this moment. If only she were here, she'd have given me a long hug and then picked up a sword and wreaked havoc on those who had dared harm her own.
Before she died, she taught me how to fight. As a succubus without horns or claws, she insisted I learn basic self-defense, stating my lack of demonic traits were due to not being raised hell-side. She’d shrug and say I could move underground anytime—that it wasn’t all that exciting.
Mytherra's magic rich fresh air and vast skies always appealed to me more. Mytherra's hell was more about gloom and doom, and powerplays that I steered away from.
Teaching me sword skills had been important to Mother. And I loved our sparring sessions.
One day after I won, she had been reminiscing hard about Father. She missed him something fierce even after decades. He was the love of her life. It’s then that she rewarded me with this summoning spell to call upon Anubis—jury and guide to the deceased mortals in the afterlife.
I had met Anubis a couple of times before.
He had been my mother's friend and visited us once when I was a child and then years later when Mother passed away, to offer his condolences.
They spent time traveling together in her youth.
She was awesome like that, questing with gods.
She'd tell me stories of her youthful adventures and I'd gobble them up like my favorite fairytales.
She had promised me that if I were ever in need, Anubis would come for me. Well, this is as needful as I'll get.
By oath unbroken and bond once sworn
I summon thee, Anubis, in my hour of need
Through time and space, and friendship worn
Honor the bond, you must heed
Pierce the veil, defy every ward
Anubis, my friend, please come forth
As soon as the spell’s cast, a plume of smoke rises behind me. I look into the mirror and see a wide jackal smile.
"Aleiraah! Darling! You summoned?" Anubis, god of the Egyptian Underworld, with the head of a jackal and body of a man, inquires in his rich smoky voice.
His aura hits me like I'm standing in front of a fifty-foot wave that suddenly crashes into me, catching me unaware.
I stumble, almost falling face first onto the floor but he catches me just in time.
Holding onto my arms. He steadies me while reeling in his power with a, "Whoops!
You called me and I appeared here before I could tone it down! "
A huge gold head-dress sits on his jackal head, unlike the last time I saw him, along with a golden kilt and a solid gold chest-plate covering his basalt-dark skin. The gold cuffs at his wrist and upper arms shine brilliantly in the sunlight.
He had attended Mother's last rites taking a more human-like appearance to avoid drawing attention away from the rituals. I hadn’t seen him in years but the familiar jackal grin makes me feel at ease.
"Long time no see, Anubis. Looking handsome as ever." I smile a little, finally catching my breath.
"It's the dreadlocks, darling. The consorts are digging it." He winks, shaking his head a little. It makes his shiny shoulder length braids swing. The gold beads at their ends make a clink-clink sound.
"It's been a while since I've set foot in Mytherra. Love the magic-rich air! And you’re as gorgeous as ever." He drawls, with another cheeky grin.
"Flattery will get you absolutely everywhere." I quip, shaking my head. Comfortable with my nudity, I turn around. Something’s broken free within me, making me uncaring about propriety. Then again, succubae aren't known to be blushing maidens, like some factions of the nymphae pretend to be.
Maybe those seven faithless toads can take some pretentious nymphs as concubines!
"Uh-Oh! I know that look." Anubis chuckles. "Who pissed you off, darling?"
"My hus...the seven males I'm married to, Anubis." I swallow, feeling dejected and angry at the same time, shoulders drooping a little.
"Could you please get me out of this mansion? Actually, this realm, if you please. There are wards around this place that would alert them if I leave on my own. Besides, I need a place to lay low for a few days. And one cannot literally go any lower than the Underworld."
He observes me thoughtfully for a few moments, his intelligent jackal eyes boring into my face. "Your wish is my command, Aleiraah. Ilzara was a true friend, and being her only child, you can always count on me. I can cloak us, and the wards won't detect us leaving."
He waves his hand and I'm dressed in a golden gown with thin straps made of polished lapiz-lazuli beads.
"As much as I admire your beautiful skin, Anput and Bastet would tear off my dreadlocks, and possibly my head if I walk in with you naked. And judging from the looks of that trampled virginal gown lying on the floor, I didn't think you'd prefer to wear it again." His smiles ruefully.
"Thank you, Anubis—of course I understand—I should have thought of it myself. And you're right, that piece of fabric disgusts me." I acknowledge, slightly embarrassed, then grimace seeing that white gown again.
I've heard of Anput and Bastet, Anubis's consorts, known to be fierce warriors, and terribly possessive of Anubis. I'm glad he thought of lending me a dress to wear.
"You seem to have a lot on your mind sweetheart. But not to worry! We'll talk once you are ready, and your belly is not screaming for food. Now, let's hurry, I'll have you settled in no time." He grabs hold of my hand, ready to whisk me away, but I stop him at the last moment.
"There's something I need done before we leave. I need your claws to cut something into ribbons." I say carefully, my voice laced with menace.
"Oh! Sounds vicious, darling!" He replies with a sly grin.
Once I’ve explained, his grin turns into a full-blown smile. "Lead the way!"
He grabs my hand once more and we wink out of the room.