Soul Unleashed (Key to the Cursed Book 4) (25 page)

Nebt.
Kit should have expected the
Underworld traitor would not be far from her master. The evil tainting the
goddess’ soul called to Kit, darkening her vision. Hunger poured through her.
“Are you ready?” Kit asked.

Nebt sneered. “To rule the realms—yes.”

“For judgment day.”

The frown on Nebt’s face was the last of Kit’s
visions before everything went black. Ammut would not be denied one final
sacrifice.

The curtain had fallen, and Duat’s demons were
released upon the earth. Kamen stood in the blood soaked sand and surveyed the
battle. Apep had yet to reveal himself, but that was his trick—hiding among
them. Slithering in and out of the ranks. He was close, Kamen could taste it.

 The explosion of the volcano rocked the realms.
Power surged up to the heavens in the form of burning rain and rock. Kamen
swore he smelled roses in the current of heated air. He stared through the
barrier, searching for Kit. Despite the distance, he saw a flash of white along
the river. The
Mesektet.

The earth quaked beneath his feet. The pull of
dark energy solidified in the open space in front of Kamen. Apep appeared with
wings furled and teeth bared. The barb of his tail whipped around and struck
Kamen in the chest. He flew backwards and slammed into the stone temple.
Sandstone burst into fragments.

Kamen rolled and dodged another blow. The
Underworld forces that remained concentrated their attack on Apep. The dragon
devoured anything standing in its path. It targeted Kamen and charged. Grabbing
the two bony horns at the top of its head, Kamen dug in his feet. The force
slid him back against the temple wall. His shoulders cracked against the rock.
With all his strength, Kamen held off the jaws from snapping him in half.

The dragon’s scales began to shudder with smoke
rolling off its back. Apep emerged in his human form, his wings shifting into a
long black silk cloak.

“Katherine,” Apep bellowed, stumbling back from
Kamen. He turned his oily gaze to the barrier.

Kamen stared through the barrier. The fiery eruption
had gone dormant. Apep’s power was draining.

Apep’s disfigured face targeted Kamen. “You will
not contain me. As we speak my sickness is spreading, even among your kind. I will
destroy you all. Ammut will surrender to me.”

Rushing forward, Apep grabbed Kamen by the neck
and lifted him off the ground. “Show yourself beast.”

Despite Apep’s weakness, Kamen struggled against
the Dark Lord’s hold.

“Put him down.” Kit emerged through the veil. A
path of bodies lay in her wake. Fire burned from her, behind her eyes and along
her skin, like a phoenix, birthed by the volcano. Black blood covered her nails
and teeth.

Kamen stilled in Apep’s grasp. For as much as he
longed to see her, it was not Kit standing before them.

“It is me you want.” Ammut walked forward. Her
orange gaze met Kamen’s. The beast inside his soul stirred, waking from a
forced slumber.

Apep discarded Kamen to the ground. “Ammut, at
last we meet again.”

Asar grabbed Kamen and dragged him away.

Kamen knocked his brother’s hold. “I will not
leave Kit.”

“I am not suggesting you do. We need to get Apep
and Ammut across the barrier before the moon shifts out of alignment. We do not
have much time.”

Kamen looked around at the forces surrounding him
and his brother. His family was all that remained with only half of the
Creation younglings. Thousands of bodies littered the battlefield. Siravants
had begun consuming the souls of the dead. They had little reserve left in this
fight.

“We push the battle forward, Apep will have no
other place to go but across.”

“And my sister,” Lilly asked, wrapping her arm
around Kendra.

“I will go through with her,” Kamen said. His
brother was right, the world was not safe with either—demon or beast. Kit could
not control the power she had inside. Bloodlust would overtake her to the point
she would not stop.

Asar opened his mouth to argue but conceded. “You
will not last long brother. Remember the toll from your last trip.”

“I have not forgotten.”

“Go with the gods.” Asar embraced him.

“And, you brother.”

Asar called the troops forward. The sound of their
heavy footfalls announced the final wave. The sun’s aura shimmered along the
borders, threatening to reveal itself. Kamen turned and ran towards the barrier,
his brothers in arms not far behind.

Engaging Apep would be pointless. The demon was
solely focused on Ammut. Kamen intended on taking the one thing that would draw
Apep back over. Running at full speed, he tackled Ammut. The energy reforming
along the line tingled against his skin as they rolled to a stop on the other
side of the barrier.

Ammut jumped to her feet and slammed her fist into
him. “My fight is not with you, Devourer.”

“You have my wife. I will not let you destroy her
in your crusade.”

“Apep will meet his end.” Ammut stalked to the
barrier.

“Then do it here in his world.”

Ammut’s fiery gaze met his. “You mean to trap me,
like you did him. Control me, like you have for millenniums.”

Kamen stood. “Yes.”

Fury burned hotter in her gaze. Pain erupted in
his chest as the beast connected with its other half. Pain sliced up his back
and contorted his spine. He dropped to his knees and bellowed.

“I will destroy you.” Ammut hit Kamen in the jaw
and sent him flying across the now cooled stone.

Ribs in his chest and spine cracked with the
impact. She was on him, digging her claws into his chest. He yelled out as she
ripped them free.

Black mist formed and Apep appeared and smiled
down at them. “Finish him.”

“You have forgotten who the enemy is, Ammut,”
Kamen said. “Who do you serve?”

“Shut up, Devourer. I have seen what you have
done. The evil you are capable of?”

“Maybe you are right,” Kamen conceded and released
her wrists. “Perhaps I have not changed since we met. My bond with Kit is
nothing more than wishful thinking on my part.”

She stood up and glared down at him. “You will die
here today, Kamen. Kit has foreseen it.”

Kamen did not need Kit to tell him his time was
limited. He had seen it in her eyes, he just wanted to savor her presence as long
as he could. Even with Asar’s help, he could not avoid his punishment forever.
“And, so I will, as was intended in the beginning.”

He staggered to stand, sensing the shift of
energy. Water snaked its way along the now dry riverbed of bones to Aaru. The
barrier began to shimmer with light. Pulling his weapon, Kamen turned to Apep.
“I will not die in vain.”

Apep followed Kamen’s gaze to the almost complete
barrier. The demon let out a screech and morphed into a dragon. Kamen launched
and sliced a long jagged wound in Apep’s wing. The dragon crashed into the
sandbar. Undeterred, Apep slammed into the barrier but was driven back by Asar
and the forces on the other side.

Kamen pursued, slashing and pummeling the Dark
Lord with what strength he had left. Apep speared Kamen in the chest and threw
him across the black riverbank. Blood spilled out over the rock. Ammut stared
down at him as he struggled to stand.

“Why do you bother?”

Kamen focused on Apep and forced his legs under
him. “I do it for my family and my mate.” He spit the blood from his mouth.

“You would die for her?” Ammut asked with
surprise.

Kamen splinted his side and glanced at Ammut.
“Yes.”

“Your twin would not do the same.”

“I am not Set.”

“He will have his freedom once this is all said
and done. A deal made by your mate.”

Kamen nodded, despite his surprise Kit would make
such a promise, knowing how he felt about his brother. However, he could not
bring forth the anger he had once felt for Set.

“So, you do not have his ambition to gain the
throne.”

“You have been in my soul to know, I have no such
aspirations.” He lifted his weapon off the ground, irritated by Ammut’s sudden
interest and lack of engagement with Apep. The moon only held a tiny sliver of
light. Only when it released the sun fully would the barrier be intact.

He leapt and forced his blade into Apep’s thick
hide. The Dark Lord descended upon him. The last blow left Kamen immobile and
gasping for breath. The light burst bright in the sky as the energy barrier
ignited and sealed the realms.

Apep bellowed his fury and turned on Kamen.
Shifting to his god form, Apep glowered down at him. “You will pay for what you
have done.”

Kamen blinked, his life source fading. “You cannot
hurt me.”

“No?” Apep sneered and raised his weapon.

At peace with his decisions, Kamen braced himself
for the final blow. As the blade swung down, black hair and fire flashed before
Kamen’s eyes.

The Dark Lord stumbled back, clutching his chest.
Ash spilled between his fingertips.

“You will be no more,” Ammut said, lowering the
sacred blade.

Apep rushed her. Spewing ash across the ground,
his body crumbled with each step forward. The Dark Lord’s remains fell at the
feet of Ammut.

Kamen stared at the sky above. The dark cloud of
siravants rained down from the heavens, revealing the bright blue the universe.
The sound of battle beyond the barrier faded, followed by utter silence.

Ammut stood over Kamen, her eyes ablaze with
power. “You are worthy, Prince. Your penance has been paid.”

She knelt down and kissed his lips. “Rest, for
this is your realm now.”

Kit woke to soft rocking. Pushing up, she scanned
the black deck of the Mesektet. Blue sky reclaimed the realm of the damned. She
had no idea how she had ended up back here. The last clear memory was of Nebt.

Staring down at her blood soaked hands, she choked
a sob. Her memories were fuzzy, but one thing was certain—Kamen was dead just
as she had envisioned it. Pain and agony burrowed into her soul, robbed of what
it wanted most. Curling on her side, she pulled the blankets to her chest and
cried until no more tears fell.

She stared at the wood, clean of all the ash and
mud. The white canopy flapped in the warm breeze. Not wanting to move or think
of the world beyond, she pinched her eyes shut. It would not be the same for
her without Kamen.

Footsteps along the timber drew her eyes open. She
lay there hating whoever it was. The large shape formed behind the sail.

“You are a fool, Set for not taking what was given
to you,” Kit said.

He shifted around the benches to the back of the
boat where she lay. She closed her eyes, not wanting him to see her tears, even
as he stooped over her.

A warm brush of his fingertips had her jerking out
of his reach. “How dare—” Kit’s breath caught in her throat, her voice stolen
from her.

“Kitten.” Kamen’s black eyes stared back at her.

“You’re dead,” Kit said, tears renewing in her
eyes.

“In a matter of speaking.” He reached out to her.

She scurried back, fearful. “I don’t understand.”

His face softened and he stretched his reach
further. “Come to me.”

Staring at his hand, she hesitated. With all her
heart she wanted it to be him. Could it be some trick, perhaps Apep had not
been destroyed as she believed.

“Damn woman, you are stubborn,” he grunted. Snagging
her wrist, he dragged her into his chest. With the heat of his touch burning
her skin he captured her mouth in a kiss. A kiss that took her breath away. “I
love you,” he rasped.

She relaxed against his chest, drawn into the
familiarity of his lips and body.

He pulled back and frowned. “Still do not believe
me?”

“I—”

Grasping her hand, he pressed it over her glyph
markings embedded in his chest. A thump echoed against her fingertips. He
pulled her to stand. “I am here, Kitten. It is no dream.”

“How?” She shook her head.

“Ammut.”

She covered her trembling lips. “You were right
about Ammut. It wanted to destroy everything.”

“Perhaps not everything. I think it was more of a
test.”

“Test?” If war and death was Ammut’s idea of a
test, then Kit would gladly fail.

He pulled her to the railing of the boat. A
beautiful oasis spread out before them. She hardly recognized Apep’s realm.
“God, how long have I been out.”

He shrugged. “It was like this when I woke up a
few days ago. I found you not far from where the boat was docked.”

“Kamen, I—”

He silenced her with another kiss. “Did what you
needed to bring the souls home.”

“But your brother,” Kit said. She had lied to
Kamen. Released Set from his obligations.

“Set will find his own way.”

“For five years.”

He nodded.

“Are you feeling okay?” she asked, uncomfortable
with how less intense he seemed to be.

“Could not be better.” He smiled and wrapped his
arm around her waist and pulled her back against his chest. Grabbing the oar,
he directed the Mesektet to the shore. The sun burned bright at the barrier,
causing it to shimmer.

“What of Ammut?”

He squeezed her tight. “You will have to ask the
beast yourself.”

“God, it’s still inside me?” Kit groaned, knowing
the answer to her own question.

“I will still love you.”

“Well, I hope so.” She snorted.

Sensing movement in the tall grass, she stiffened.
“What is it?”

“Souls crossing over.” Kamen pointed to the people
milling about the banks.

“Good souls, right?”

“You tell me.”

She inhaled. The scent of baking cookies, mothballs
and tobacco filled her senses. No fetid odor. “I guess they are.”

Kamen slowed along the bank. He opened the side
door and helped an elderly lady inside. Humans of all races filed in one at a
time. Most with smiles. Some with fear and uncertainty.

“This is really happening.”

“Yep.”

“And, my sisters?” Kit asked, suddenly concerned
they died as well.

“We will see them soon.”

She chewed on her lip and her eyes burned. Not
once did she envision what would happen after the war.

Carried by the warm breeze, the boat cut through
the water. The visibility went on for miles. No fog layer, just beautiful open
skies. Kit inhaled a breath when the horizon sparkled in the light. “The
gates.”

Kamen kissed the top of her head. “We need to make
a stop first and let these souls off. Then we will go to the palace side of the
river.”

The next few minutes blurred by as she watched her
husband oversee the unloading of the souls to the Paradise Isle of the
Afterlife. Before long they were at the palace dock. Kit couldn’t wait to hug
her sisters and take the hottest shower. “I’m a mess.” She screwed up her face
in disgust.

“A beautiful mess.” Kamen smirked and wiped her
mouth and hands of the dried blood.

Kit shook her head, not sure if she would get used
to his new found humor. “I love you,” she finally said.

He tightened his grip on her. “I cannot wait until
we are alone.”

The promise of his words quickened her pulse.

Kamen broke away and threw the lines over the
edge. Bomani and Bakari secured them.

Bomani’s tired gold eyes met hers. “Welcome home.”

Unlike Duat, parts of the palace were heavily
damaged. The warrior village, nothing but rubble. “Siya and Anya.”

“Healthy and unharmed,” Bomani replied.

Kit blew out a breath and pulled Siya’s saber from
her waist. “Please return this to her.”

He smiled and accepted the weapon.

Kamen scooped her up and leapt down onto the dock.
Setting her on her feet, he kissed her again. “Your sisters are here.”

Kit looked through the bars. It seemed like
forever before Asar opened the passageway. She ran past him and down the beach.
Wrapping her arms around Lilly, she pulled Kendra into the embrace.

“Someone else is here to see you,” Lilly said.

Movement drew her gaze up. A man walked at her
mother’s side. Tears threatened to spill over.

“He has been asking for you,” Kendra said,
grabbing her other hand.

So much had happened since the last time she saw
him. Would he remember her?

She stared up into his brown eyes, uncertain of
what to say.

“Kitten.” He pulled her into his arms.

That’s when she knew, nothing needed to be said. A
simple hug communicated far more than words.

She pulled back. “Have you met Kamen?”

Her father looked towards the dock. “I haven’t.”

“Kamen.” Kit waved him over.

Her mother grabbed her hand. “He cannot cross.”

“What?” Kit met her mother’s green eyes.

“Kamen is ruler now. He cannot leave. It is a
condition of his station.”

Kit stared back at the dock as Asar handed over
supplies through the gate. “No.” She sprinted back to Kamen. “Is it true?”

“Give me a minute,” Kamen said to Asar and then
pulled Kit to the closest bench. He kissed her hands. “Ammut appointed me ruler
of Duat. It is an honor I have accepted.”

“To be locked in another realm? I can’t accept
this.”

“It needs to be protected, Kit. You have seen what
it can become, a safe passage for souls.”

“What about your family? Your life?”

“You are my life. I want to share this with you.”

Just when she thought things were turning around,
the proverbial ax swung down, severing her hope. A life in Duat? She couldn’t
forget the visions of the dungeons and the atrocities occurring there.

Despite her reservations, she refused to be
anywhere else. “I will always stand by you,” Kit said and leaned into his chest.

“You will be able to see your family at any time.
Travel to the human realm when you want.”

“Without
you
. God, this is all my fault.”

He cupped her cheek. “This is a second chance for
me. And, I will always be with you.” His finger strayed to the glyph on her
chest.

She inhaled a breath as his touch tracked heat
along her skin. “What now?”

Kamen looked out over the water. “Take it a day at
a time—together.”

“Start a family.” She stared down at the feather
glyph against her skin. A new future to be written.

His black eyes met her stare. “You would honor
me?”

There was not anything she would not do for him.
“The honor would be mine.”

“Then it is time we rule together, my queen.”

“Queen?” Kit stared at Kamen, realizing everything
she had dreamed had come true, just a different version than she thought.

Kamen’s gaze rose to greet the Mother Goddess and
her father. He stood and bowed. “Mr. Carrigan.”

Kit smiled at her father. “Dad, this is Kamen.”

“I know who he is, Kitten.” Her father’s grin
grew.

“Sir.” Kamen held out his hand.

“You’ll take good care of my girl?” Jonathan
grasped Kamen’s hand.

“On my life.” Kamen smiled back and gave her
father a hardy hand shake.

Kit shifted her gaze to her mother as the males
pulled off to talk. “Did you know it would turn out this way?”

“I hoped. Believed it could come true.”

“Thank you—for the nudge,” Kit repeated Siya’s
words, realizing in a moment of clarity her mother’s intent. The Mother Goddess
had liberated the Underworld and the gods who protected it. Saved the world.
How could Kit ever measure up?

Her mother’s brows furrowed a moment before her
eyes brightened. “You’re welcome.” The Mother Goddess held out her arms.

Kit smiled and stepped into her mother’s embrace.

Her mother’s smile grew as Kit hugged her tighter.
“Today, a new chapter begins. What do you plan to do?”

“I don’t know,” Kit said, suddenly overwhelmed by
her mother’s words. Her mind wandered to Inpu. Perhaps she could continue her
mother’s work and save the priest in some way. A daunting task, considering
what Nebt had done to him.

Her sisters’ laughter drew her attention. Lilly
and Kendra had gathered around Siya and Anya, who had made their way to the
dock. Her eyes drifted from her sisters to the baby they cooed over.

Maybe the choice was simpler than that.

Her mother winked as if she already knew what Kit
was thinking. “The world is in good hands. Go and enjoy it.”

“I think you’re right.” Inpu and the world could
wait. It was time for family. Kit turned to Kamen’s waiting arms, a place she
would always feel safe and loved.

Never again—alone.