Page 45 of Sett and his King
I ran into the bathroom before I collapsed. I didn’t need them to see me turn into a mess. I didn’t need anyone to see that.
I locked the door behind me and let go. I let the tears run and cried.
I cried for what I’d done, for what could have been, for who I had been before Horus, and for the person he’d turned me into.
But I also cried for Sett, because even though we'd only spent something like two days together, he'd made me feel…alive. He'd made me feel wanted and beautiful and powerful. And I would never have that again. I knew it.
Right. Focus, Drew. You can do this. You’re so close. Do this for Gene.
I glanced at my reflection and my guts turned. I was disgusted with myself. Sett was supposed to be the god of violence and yet I was the monster. I couldn’t…I couldn’t stand myself.
Just think of Gene. Everything's going to be okay. Just save Gene.
I pushed away and wiped the tears.
When I felt I could breathe again, I opened the door and found a man outside, leaning against the wall and staring at me as if he knew what I’d done and what kind of person I was.
Not that he was any better. We’d done a job together and when we were caught because of an asthma attack he killed the guard who’d unfrozen in front of us.
He would have killed me too if I hadn’t managed to get my breathing under control and use my power to freeze him.
I hadn't worked with him since, but I'd seen him around, loitering, smoking, watching me.
“What?” I snapped when he wouldn't stop staring.
I stilled and grounded my body, almost bracing for impact, but he didn’t do anything. He didn’t say anything. He pushed past me and locked himself in the bathroom too and I couldn’t help but wonder if he’d gone in there for a cry too.
I turned away, bit my lip and put one foot in front of the other.
I was close now. So close to saving Gene and gaining our freedom back.
I stopped in front of Horus's office and knocked. Another man opened the door from the inside and gestured me in.
"Drew, welcome back," Horus said with a smile and reached for a cigar, lighting it up. "How did you do? Did you get it?" he asked.
The scarab tickled my thigh with heat inside my jean pocket but I didn’t dare touch it.
“Where is my brother?” I asked with a trembling voice.
"Your brother is safe," Horus answered.
“You said you'd let him go if I did this. You said you’d let both of us go.”
“Of course." Horus grinned and beckoned at the man by the door with his finger.
Without another word, the man marched out of the room.
"Take a seat,” Horus said. “You look exhausted. My brother can be a handful, huh?"
My knees buckled and I planted myself on the chair without knowing I was even doing it, Horus’s magic wrapped around me like barbed wire.
"Your brother was fine," I said.
“That’s not how I’d describe him, but as long as you have it, I don't care.” He leaned closer, eyeing me from top to bottom and I had to bite my tongue to save myself from saying something I shouldn’t. “Show me."
I shook my head. "My brother first."
“That wasn’t a question.” His voice lowered and deepened. “I said show it to me.”
