Page 326 of Sins of the Heart
Like you avenged Lokan?Mal bit off the question
before it could tear free. He’d be smart to walk softly.
Sutekh wasn’t known for tolerating criticism.
“Can’t promise information will be all I bring on my
return.” Mal grinned. “Osiris has some lovely baubles
that hold definite appeal.”
Ah, the telltale tic. A tiny vibration beneath Sutekh’s
right eye, almost imperceptible unless one knew what
to look for. And Mal knew. From long, long years of
experience, he knew.My work here is done.
Mal cheerfully helped himself to a square of baklava
from the platter on the sideboard. Sutekh always kept a
ready supply of sweets for his sons brought in from
Topworld because if they ingested the food of the dead,
they’d be trapped in the Underworld forever. They each
had their poison. Dagan’s was lollipops. Alastor preferred
English toffee. Lokan had been crazy for Swedish berries.
But Sutekh never stocked their preferences, just his own.
Fortunately, Mal didn’t have a preference. Sugar
was sugar. He ate it because he had to.
Sutekh glared at him, saying nothing. Mal popped
the baklava in his mouth. The time had long since
passed that his father’s glare had much impact on him.
Of course, he would do exactly as Sutekh asked.
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323
Not because it was an order, but because he had his
own agenda.
His father’s Machiavellian plots were ongoing and
ever present. Mal had lost interest in them a couple of
