“You must be quite a huntress to take down a beast like that,” Asten said.
Tia shrugged, or perhaps I was the one who shrugged. The lines between us seemed to be blurring, especially since we’d reunited with Asten and Ahmose. But neither of us said anything as we glanced warily over the side, watching the huge white forms surging beneath the water.
Hippo heads rose from the depths to eye us. Sometimes we saw only the rounded tops, black eyes blinking as they stared at us curiously. Other times they lifted half their bodies out of the water, which made me think the water wasn’t really that deep. I couldn’t imagine animals of that size floating. Tia quickly assured me that they weren’t able to—at least, they couldn’t in the mortal realm.
“Ah,” Ahmose said. “Even the bull wants a peek at you.”
Off to the side, a huge male hippo blew water from his nostrils, opening his mouth as he bellowed loudly. His canines and incisors were incredibly thick.
“The rest of these are his harem and offspring,” Ahmose said.
The big bull hippo he indicated sucked in a mouthful of water and spat it over us, then submerged beneath the river.
“If he’s letting you pass, the rest of them will, too,” Ahmose said.
“Then why are the others sticking their heads up?” I asked.
“They probably haven’t seen a living being here in quite some time,” he answered.
“That’s right. I forgot you two don’t count.”
“We don’t,” Asten said with a twinge of sadness in his voice. “As of right now, our bodies are moldering on earth somewhere in the elaborate sarcophagi that Anubis made us.”
I stretched out a hand and placed it on his arm. “But I can still touch you,” I said. “That’s something.”
“Yes. But we can’t feel it.”
“You can’t?” I asked, shocked.
Asten shook his head. “At least not in the way we do when we take our physical forms. I am aware of pressure and warmth but the touch does not hold as much feeling, as much sensation, as it would normally,” he said.
“But Amon can feel my touch in the netherworld. Why would it be different here?”
“Perhaps it is due to your bond,” Asten suggested.
“Maybe it can work with you, too. The three of you are bound together also. Can I try?”
“If you like,” Asten answered, curious.
He held out his hand and I grasped it. When he squeezed my hand lightly and began to rub his thumb in small circles, I opened my mind to experiencing the touch. I felt the warmth of his palm, the little hairs on the back of his hand, the lines and whorls of the pad, and even the tiny pulse of his heartbeat through his fingertips.
I used the power of the sphinx to enhance my touch even more. Soon I felt a current running just beneath my skin. It was warm and alive and I became aware of each breath that filled his lungs, the way he bit his lip, the feel of the wind on his face, and his racing heart. The scrape of his skin against mine was a pleasure more delicious to me than even the kiss of Horus had been. It was like someone rubbing the back of your neck or beneath your jaw in just the right place so that the tension in your muscles melted. I liked it. A little bit too much.
Pulling my hand from his, I gave him a weak, apologetic smile. I could still feel the tingles from where his thumb had caressed me. Looking up, I found I was momentarily caught in his melted chocolate brown eyes. Instead of his characteristic mischievous smirk, he gifted me with a small, genuine smile.
“Could you feel that?” I asked softly.
His mouth was slightly parted and it didn’t take enhanced vision to see his pulse jumping at his throat. “Oh, yes,” he answered, and swallowed. “The sensation was…it was startling. I’ve never experienced such a thing in the afterlife.” He paused, then added quietly, “Or any life for that matter. Thank you.” He turned away.
My heart beat erratically, thoughts muddy and confused.
“We were pleased to touch you,” Tia admitted flatly.
Asten’s smile grew, his eyes darting back up to meet mine. “I’m glad,” he said, not a drop of mirth in his words. “Feel free to practice on me anytime.”
Shifting slightly away, I asked, “How long until we get there?”
“We must pass through the burning tree first,” Ahmose said.
It wasn’t long before I could no longer see the white forms in the shallow river and when we came to a wooden dock, another one where Amon did not wait for us, my heart fell. Ahmose guided us up to it and tied off the boat. When Asten got out, he turned to me and offered his hand. “May I?” he asked.
Something about the way he looked at me and wrapped his arm around my waist to steady me as I stepped onto the dock made me feel both elated and sad. He kept hold of my hand as we walked up the path and I didn’t withdraw it. I knew he couldn’t feel my touch unless I was channeling the power of the sphinx, but I could very much feel his, and it didn’t feel like the way a brother would hold my hand.
There was a part of me that thought he could be something more if he wanted to and guilt filled me. Against my shoulder I felt the beat of Amon’s heart, and I wondered if he was dreaming at that exact moment, seeing me hold hands with Asten, and if that would make him upset enough to want to give in to a second death.
Giving Asten a tiny smile, I withdrew my hand, and though he seemed to understand, I could tell he was disappointed. He wasn’t the only one either. Tia’s discontent filled my mind, too, though she didn’t say anything. My feelings were so jumbled I was surprised I could function at all.
Ahmose led us down a path until we came to a giant tree encircled by fire, its heat washing over us.
“What do we do now?” I asked.
“You must find a way to the other side,” he answered.
“How?”
“We cannot tell you. Each soul that journeys the Isle of the Dead must find its own way.”
Letting out a breath, I nodded and headed to the right, but there was no end to the flames. Going left didn’t get me anywhere either, and the longer we stayed close to the blaze, the more concerned Tia became.
We cannot make it, she cried in my mind. You must ask the guardians for help.
But they can’t help us. They told us as much. I craned my neck to try to see over the wall. The tall tree beckoned with thick trunks and very green leaves despite the fire surrounding it. Maybe we can climb over it, I suggested.
Tia hated the idea but helped me focus my eyes to try and discover tree limbs that overshot the crackling flames. There were none.
Should we walk through it? I suggested. Maybe it’s a test.
Absolutely not! Tia insisted.
Then what’s your big idea? Not hearing too much from you. And I’d think I would, considering how vocal you’ve been lately.
I did not know my thoughts were so repulsive to you.
Not repulsive. And it’s not your thoughts I’m having a problem with—it’s the surprise takeovers. I sighed. It’s just…getting hard to keep us separate sometimes.
I, too, am having a hard time remembering myself. We are…bleeding into one another.
Maybe that’s a good thing.
Maybe.
So then let’s use that to our advantage, I said.
What do you mean, Lily?
Let’s call on our power.
I didn’t need to hear her words to know she agreed. Closing my eyes, we drew upon the power of the sphinx and I felt Tia’s thoughts entwine with mine, our purpose becoming one. We wanted to get over the wall of fire.
We called upon the wind and it banked the flames enough that we could traverse them. Backing up a few feet, we ran, leapt, and then somersaulted in the air before landing on our feet safely on the other side. The moment our feet touched ground, the flames disappeared and Asten and Ahmose approached us.
“I’ve never seen a crossing done like that before,” Asten said, an appreciative gleam in his eyes.
“Most of the dea
d just walk through the flames,” Ahmose added as he folded his arms across his chest. “They know they can’t be burned.”
“Well, we didn’t know that,” I replied. “Besides, it’s very likely we could have been burned. Our flesh is still living.”
“And we wouldn’t want to scar something so lovely,” Asten said.
“Come,” Ahmose said. “It’s not far now to the Porch of Judgment.”
The dirt and pebbles of our current path were replaced with stone as the dark expanse of a stone temple came into view.
“Is that it?” I asked.
“It is. Don’t wander now,” Ahmose warned as if I would suddenly decide to leave them.
The Porch of Judgment looked like an ancient palace in ruins. Large blocks of stone lay broken and shattered in various sections. There were no windows, just large, carved recesses with sealed-up sections where window should have been. The pillars that stood on each side of the imposing stone door were hollowed out, and fires burned inside them, giving haunting life to the images engraved on the outside. They looked like frightening iron jack-o’-lanterns with gaping maws, waiting to swallow the dead. Braziers burned on the top, sending flaming ashes and smoke skyward.
“Little scary, isn’t it?” I asked.
“It’s meant to be intimidating,” Ahmose answered.
“Well, it’s working,” I said.
Ahmose grabbed an iron ring on the door and pulled while Asten took hold of the other one. With a substantial creak, the doors swung open. Without thinking, I reached for Asten’s hand. Though he seemed surprised at the offer, he didn’t hesitate and enfolded my fingers in his.
Once we were inside, the doors closed on their own. Torches lined the hallway, rings of smoke sticking to the stone walls like the dark shadows of tortured souls. I squeezed Asten’s hand, and though I knew he couldn’t feel it in the same way, I soon felt an echoing squeeze. It comforted me and helped soothe Tia’s nerves.
“What’s next?” I whispered.
“We meet the gods and your heart is weighed,” Asten replied.
“Do I need to do that? I mean, I’m not dead.”
“Honestly, I’m not sure. If what you said is true, they’re expecting you. It should go easier for you than it does with most of the souls who find their way here.”
I swallowed. “That’s what I’m hoping for.”
We entered a large room where three thrones sat empty. In the center of the space was a large golden scale, with torches casting a dim light over the vast chamber. I felt like I was in a dungeon waiting to hear my sentence. After Asten guided me to a dais, giving me a reassuring smile, he had me stand there while Ahmose stepped forward and began chanting a spell.
“This Soul has come to the afterlife
She has journeyed the channel of the sky and the earth
She has walked with the guardians
She has trod the path of the white hippos
She has passed through the tree of fire
And she has come through unscathed
She is prepared for the judgment
She seeks to have her heart weighed
And is ready to follow the path you choose for her.”
The three of us stood there, waiting for something to happen. When nothing did, Ahmose added:
“She is noble and she is beloved
Please give her audience.”
This time the room shook. When it finally quieted, a storm cloud of sand filtered in from the open passageways and created a human-sized cyclone. The sand solidified and a familiar shape took form.
I lifted my hand slightly, waving at Anubis as he approached, a tiny smile transforming his perpetual glower. “You made it,” he said.
“No thanks to you. Your directions were rather cryptic.”
“I told you what I was able to. Did you come through Heliopolis?” he asked.
I nodded.
“And how did you get there?”
“Nebu. He asked if I would pass along a message.”
Anubis took a step closer. “I already know what he asked of you.”
“And? Will you tell her?” I pressed.
He sighed. “She already knows.”
Asten stepped forward and placed a protective hand on my arm.
A familiar glower stole across Anubis’s face. Just then, three more cyclones appeared and Anubis stepped back and took a position along the stone wall.
Three beings materialized upon the thrones. Sucking in a nervous breath, I narrowed my shoulders and looked at the three gods seated before me. Two of them were women; the other was a man. The man’s skin had a greenish tinge to it. He was handsome, with dark hair and piercing eyes, and I remembered the story Amon told me about Seth and Isis. I guessed that the man seated before me must be the winged goddess’s husband, Osiris.
I had no idea who the other two women might be. The one on the left had flawless dark skin and glossy lips. Her hair was wound and pinned on top of her head with an elaborate headdress, her back stiff and her demeanor regal. She reminded me of a strict schoolmarm, albeit a beautiful one. Her eyes flicked over me with a calculating expression, and I got the impression that she was extremely on top of things; she was surely the one in charge. This was despite the fact that both Anubis and the man I guessed was Osiris were pretty much as intimidating as Horus and Amun-Ra.
Everything about the other woman was soft, her demeanor sagacious and kind. Her long blond hair hung to her waist and the jewelry she wore was thin and simple—a silver bracelet, a thin belt made from different precious metals, and a tiny chain that hung across her forehead and draped down around her cascading hair. She wore silver sandals and the folds of her dress fell to the floor. She actually gave me a smile that was part encouragement and part curiosity when I glanced in her direction.
Out of nowhere, a group of shabtis materialized in a corner and began playing soft music. I recognized a flute, a harp, and a sistrum, a golden instrument that looked like a badminton racket, only instead of a net it had tiny disks that slid back and forth when shaken. The only reason I knew about it was because Dr. Hassan had unearthed one recently and described it in his usual meticulous detail in a letter.
Maybe the gods summoned the musicians as a way of soothing the dead before they ripped out their hearts for judgment, I thought.
It is pleasing, Tia noted.
You missed the point, I said.
What was your point?
Heart ripping.
Other servants stood by the gods, waving ostrich feather fans, holding plates of grapes and goblets glistening with condensation. Not one of the shabtis made eye contact with me. Actually, they appeared to be studiously avoiding looking at the entire judging area.
The austere-looking beauty spoke first. “What is your condition?” she asked.
“My…condition? I don’t understand.”
“Please answer the question. What is your condition?”
“Um…alive, I guess?”
“This will never do. She isn’t ready,” the testy woman complained. “Remove her from my sight at once.”
Immediately, Ahmose and Asten began to protest, and a burst of power from the woman’s fingertips froze the two of them instantly. Anubis took a step toward me then, but one glance from the woman made him reconsider his decision and he moved back into his former place with a wince.
The kind-looking woman wrung her hands and said, “Please, won’t you reconsider?” but the first woman glared at her until she turned her head aside. Finally, my questioner took a step closer, raised her hand, and said, “She will be banished and sent back to the place from whence she came, only to return when she has shuffled off the chains of mortality.”
She waved her hand in a flourish to leave, but not before the man on the throne stood. “No, Ma’at,” he said. “She won’t.”
“Osiris?” The goddess Ma’at spun, her mouth shaped in a surprised O.
“My apologies,” Osiris said. “I meant no disrespect. Bu
t you know as well as I do that we need her.”
“That’s your opinion,” she replied. “The law is—”
“The law means nothing in this case,” Anubis said, taking a bold step forward, his eyes sliding briefly to me.
Ma’at glared at him like he was a naughty schoolboy ready to be punished with a ruler. “How dare you say such a thing?” she spat. “The law is everything. Without it, there is no balance, no order.”
“Ma’at,” Anubis countered as he gestured with his hands. “Don’t you think you’re being a bit extreme?”
“Me? You have allowed your mind to be clouded by the mortals you favor. You hold out hope for redemption where none can be found. Even if it were allowed, which it isn’t, the likelihood of success is infinitesimal and absolutely not worth risking this one’s immortal soul. Besides, it would be ill-advised for me to endorse such a foolish venture when Amun-Ra refuses to offer his support. And furthermore—”
“Um, he did, though,” I interjected. “He guided me to Cherty as the benu bird.”
Ma’at turned on me. “You will cease speaking immediately!” she bellowed. “You are only to answer the questions I pose to you. Otherwise remain silent.”
“Shouldn’t I get a say in deciding my own fate?”
“She has a point,” the kinder goddess proposed.
To say that Ma’at didn’t like to be contradicted would be an egregious understatement of vast proportions. She turned her back to me, ignoring me completely, as she addressed the other woman. “This is not an occasion where we should allow the influence of a mortal to color our decisions, Nephthys. I know how you love them, but you must cede to my experience regarding this matter.”
Nephthys twitched her hands with nervous energy and glanced in my direction. She then nodded and sat back in her chair. I stared at her, wondering how so delicate and beautiful a creature could have agreed to marry the creepy god Seth. Amun-Ra had said she could see into his heart. Personally, I wouldn’t want to get close enough to the guy to do any such thing. A shiver ran down my spine as I thought about him.
Ma’at turned her attention back to me, likely preparing to banish me yet again, but Anubis interrupted. “Wait! I will offer to be her patron.”