Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 123065 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 615(@200wpm)___ 492(@250wpm)___ 410(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123065 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 615(@200wpm)___ 492(@250wpm)___ 410(@300wpm)
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.”
CHAPTER 11
CYRUS
“Sometimes it’s best not to take an adventure. Not all end in life.” --Anubis
Iimagine dinner will be no different tonight than it often is. I want solitude, yet I never get it.
I’m sure I’m being surly.
And I know Cleo will be here soon while everyone gathers yet again for what has now become a nightly instead of a weekly thing as everything progresses.
They truly can’t help themselves.
They want to watch.
They want to see if I fail like they did.
They question if this will be different, but they know it never will be. This truly is just life and how legends are made and created, written down into silly stories into even sillier books.
That’s my life, my existence.
Balance. Order. Repeat.
And now, blissfully—The End.
Something is different this time—I’m different. I’m sad. I’m tired. And I know that there is more devastating news to come to her, more than she might be able to handle despite how strong I believe she can be. Honestly, she took the appearance of Anubis very well. I was shocked. I wasn’t going to wipe her memory clean but I wanted her to read her brother’s research and selfishly I wanted a taste. I wanted it so bad. I thought I’d taste fear but all I tasted was curiosity and nervousness with a huge bout of lust. It was nearly impossible to pull away from her. Probably a cruel joke from Olympus. They want me to fail at the finish line—none of the descendants of Chaos have been tempting and I refuse to make her the first.