Chapter 5
Chapter five
ANUBIS
Anubis listened to the human’s heartbeats in the silent cavern, cinnamon and honey filling his senses. Each beat made him question why he held the fragile, sleeping human so carefully.
Thanatos was a close friend, so he’d answered Death’s call without hesitation. Now, outside the Greek Underworld, he watched over her as if she mattered. This wasn’t how he hoped to spend his time away from the Duat.
He eyed the Underworld’s gates. Should he let her enter?
She didn’t belong in a place so filled with death.
Though she was pale and underweight, no sickness touched her.
Thanatos had described the curse seizing control of her will, dragging her toward death.
Anubis had seen death magic before, but never like this.
Thanatos trusted him. That loyalty alone was reason enough to keep her close. Safe.
Restless, he scanned the cavern, needing something to do. He spotted a stone bench in a shadowed alcove. With steady steps, he sat and settled her securely beside him, studying her.
She was pretty in an understated way, her long auburn hair coming loose from a bun, and a slightly upturned nose giving her a somewhat mischievous look. The cartoon dinosaur on her oversized shirt suggested she didn’t take herself too seriously.
As he looked over her, curiosity filled him.
Anubis placed his hand over her chest, his eyes closing as he reached out with his senses.
Heat radiated beneath his palm, unlike the peace of the dead he often communed with.
During that brief moment, her soul surged—defiant, unwilling to be extinguished.
His eyes snapped open.
Her soul burned with familiar strength. It was the same defiant fire he’d seen in warriors and leaders who fought death until their last moment. In the end, they all fell, their willpower merely delaying the inevitable.
The beads in his braids clinked together as he shook his head, clearing his thoughts. He hadn’t cared for anyone since Anput left him. He wouldn’t start now.
Anubis forced himself to look away from her. The deceptive silence broke with a nearly imperceptible sound behind the gates. It set his nerves on edge. Stillness in the Underworld couldn’t be trusted.
When Thanatos spoke in his mind, Anubis exhaled.
“Ani?”
“What is the verdict?” he asked.
“Hades approved a temporary stay in Hyp’s cave. We cannot allow her to leave or enter the cave on foot. We will need to take her in and out when we are ready to return her to the mortal world.”
Thanatos hadn’t said who was in charge of that duty.
“When will you return for the girl?” Anubis asked, his concern growing. Hades never granted favors lightly.
“I need you to take the girl to Hyp,” Thanatos admitted.
“That is all you want me to do?” Anubis was tired of wandering the Duat with only his duties and the souls that he judged. He needed a change; a new purpose that would snap him out of centuries of boredom.
“If you have time, see if you recognize the curse. I have things to take care of for Hades.”
Anubis frowned. “What things?” The Greek gods could be unpredictable. Some were twisted. “We can take her elsewhere if the price is too high.”
Thanatos let out a humorless laugh. “He asked me to be his proxy for three days while he spends the last days of winter with Persephone.”
Anubis laughed at the idea of the quiet death god having to deal with the Underworld’s inhabitants. But that amusement faded fast. “That offer seems too generous. Are you sure there is no ulterior motive?”
Thanatos paused. “He asked nothing about the girl. Most of it was about my duties and the threats he would make good on if his realm fell into chaos. I think he genuinely wants more time with his wife before their separation.”
He’d do the same if he had only half the year with the woman he loved, though that worry was gone now. Helping Thanatos with this human was the most involvement he’d allowed in centuries.
“I will take the human to your brother’s cave,” Anubis said at last. “I have things to handle at home before I can return, but I will help with whatever you need. Will Hypnos be capable of watching her while we are both away?”
“Hyp will be cranky about it, but he will not let anything happen to her. I’ll make sure he knows to keep her safe at all costs.”
Anubis would remind the god of sleep when dropping off the girl. If she woke confused, it could get complicated. Hypnos, once peaceful, had grown moody and unpredictable after withdrawing from the world.
“I will take her now,” Anubis said. “Do you want to warn him first or let my visit be a surprise?”
Thanatos chuckled and pulled away from his mind without answering.
Anubis grinned, excitement filling him. Perhaps this wouldn’t be as dull as he’d expected.