Page 90 of Sett and his King
Gene barreled down the stairs looking under every nook and cranny as if his brother had shrunk and fallen in between the cracks of the hardwood floor.
"You!" Anubis said and rose to meet Gene's gaze. "You…you were there. In the dark. You're familiar."
Gene blinked in disbelief.
"Ani? You don't remember me? We've been trapped together for the past three days and you don't remember me?"
Ani rubbed a hand over his face and sighed.
"Everything is a blur. Horus…he kept me under his thumb the whole time, but…the more I look at you, the more I remember."
"You can look at me all you want, as long as you people tell me where my brother is!" Gene raised his voice but I didn't miss the way he slipped his hand into Anubis's.
"He…he sacrificed himself to save us," I said and the words felt bitter and gross in my throat.
"He…he what?" Gene looked from me to my son and Yaya descended the stairs, her forehead creased with concern.
"There's no way my grandson is dead. I would have felt it," she said.
"He's not," Anubis said.
"But he's my brother's prisoner again. He gave up his freedom for us."
Anubis squeezed my shoulder and turned to Yaya. "He gave up his freedom to save me. And I plan on repaying my debt to him by saving him."
He moved to open the door when Yaya raised her voice. "You're not going anywhere, young man."
Anubis turned to her and grinned. "I can assure you, ma'am. I'm neither young nor a man."
Yaya put her hands on her hips and glared at Ani. I don't care. You're not stepping right back in that god's trap. My grandson gave up everything to save you and his brother. You're not giving yourself back up to that grotesque god."
Gene nodded. "She's right. You walk back in there he'll get you again."
Ani wrapped his hands around the ankh and pursed his lips. "This seems to protect against Horus's influence."
"But it doesn't protect you from Drew's power. He'll freeze you in time and then Horus will make him kill you. You're not going anywhere," I said.
"But Father, we need to sa?—"
"Back away," I growled. "Now."
My words had an instant effect on Ani who did as ordered with very little say in the matter.
"Ew. I don't like that," he said and took the necklace off. "What is this?"
I snatched it from his hand and rose to my feet. "It's the only way I can save him."
"Everyone needs to relax right now before I make them," Yaya said.
Gene frowned. "Yaya, how can we relax when Drew is captive."
Yaya stepped closer to her other grandson and squeezed his face in both hands. "Your brother has been this man's prisoner for a very long time. He's strong. He's resilient. He can withstand it. You two on the other hand, we can't have you fall into his hands again. He clearly cares about Drew. About his power or something. He doesn't care about you and he won't hesitate to kill you. Again."
"Again?" Gene muttered. "I’ve died haven’t I? I’ve died these last few days and then…come back to life.”
“You felt it?” I asked.
“Felt what?” Gene asked.
