Soul Awakened by Jean Murray Read Free Book Online Page B

few hours. When I saw you come in, I did not want to disturb you.”
    Such sorrow in his voice and no wonder, God knows what his enemies did to Bakari during his confinement. Kendra weaved her fingers through Asar’s muscular digits. “I’m okay really. I was having trouble sleeping, so I came down.”
    His mouth lifted up on one slide. “You have been working very hard. I appreciate everything you have done.”
    She exhaled heavily. Apparently she hadn’t done enough because Bakari was still trapped. She pulled the large god forward and placed her hand on the center of the tomb.
    “What was he like?” Kendra cringed, regretting she let the words slip past her lips. Asar frowned. “I meant, what is he like. Shoot, I’m sorry. I’m used to dealing with mummified remains. This is so completely different.” She clamped a hand over her mouth. What the heck was she saying? “I need to shut up now.”
    His frown deepened further. “It is okay, little one. I would be a fool to think Bakari could come out of this unchanged. Who could?” The Underworld god placed both hands on the top of the sarcophagus and kissed the lid. “He was very kind and generous.” A wry smile crossed his handsome face. “Nothing like me.”
    Kendra placed her hand on his arm. “That’s not true. I’ve seen the way you judge souls.” The breadth of his grief translated through her touch. Loss had a strange way of bringing people together. They had lost their father to the curse over five years ago and again on the Thebes battlefield, when he was finally put to rest.
    Placing his warm palm over hers, he winked. “Thanks to your sister, I have a second chance not only for myself, but my son.” He pulled away from the tomb. “Bakari had a pure soul that is why I imparted my gifts to him.” Asar touched the gold lion and moon medallion that hung from his neck. The same necklace that led Asar to their doorstep so many months ago. “Most thought it would be too great a burden for a young god, but he shouldered it with the utmost strength and fairness.”
    “The power to kill gods.”
    Asar nodded. “It was his ability to be impartial that made him so effective. He utilized his skill judiciously. Never used it for his personal gain.”
    Kendra looked at the tomb. “I’d like to think the son you knew is still in there.”
    “Me too, little one.” Despite the catch of hope in his voice, resignation darkened his eyes.
    Rapid footfalls echoed through the corridor. Kendra glanced up to find Lilly staring in from across the heavy iron bars. Her bright green eyes looked warily from Kendra to Asar. “Is everything okay?”
    Asar’s eyes brightening upon her arrival. He left the cell to intercept her sister. Although it wasn’t easy in the beginning, the pair was inseparable, always in tune to the others’ feelings. His grief no doubt brought Lilly here. Kendra sighed. She would love to have a man look at her in the same way.
    “Everything is fine. I am sorry that I disturbed your sleep.” He leaned his forehead gently against Lilly’s.
    “Come to bed. You must be exhausted.” Lilly kissed Asar’s lips before pushing him toward the hallway. “I’ll meet you there.” Lilly swatted him on the butt before turning to the iron gates. A good-natured growl echoed in the chamber.
    Lilly walked up to the reinforced bars. “How’s it going?”
    Kendra shrugged. “Okay, I guess.”
    Lilly wrapped her arms tightly against her waist. She never passed through the doors of the cell, and only came here if Asar was present. Kendra was surprised she stayed this long.
    “I want you to let me know, if you start feeling different in any way.”
    “I will. Actually, I’m feeling a whole lot better now that my headache is gone.”
    “Good.” Her sister started to fidget with her belt. “Ah, I need to go.”
    “I understand.”
    Her sister turned and dashed out the corridor. Kendra shook her head. Lilly was a powerful Nehebkau huntress with an