Deadly Secrets

Chapter 6

The sun was engulfed by grey clouds and a thick fog covered the house. I waited until Jane had left for work before I slipped downstairs. With each step my stomach growled in protest to move, but it’s not like anyone was going to feed me. I ate a bowl of cereal and stuffed a croissant in my mouth. Next to the butter was a sleek red box with a big red bow. I picked up the paper card ~Happy Birthday! Love Leo & Jane~ This must be my birthday present, even though under the circumstances I might not deserve it. I eyed the box, one elephant, two elephant, three….I grabbed the box and ripped off the bow. I opened it with a sharp snap. It had a silver chain that held a charm of silver outline of a crescent moon. The middle was filled with a dark sapphire that shined brilliantly. This was way better than socks! I snapped the clasp around my neck and let the cool silver make me shiver. Then everything went black…

The sun gave warmth to my human skin just as the moon gave birth to the warrior. I am protected by the sun, my father, my king. I devoted my life to him and my people. As the moon took on full affect I traded my skin for fur. Lethal, deadly, I am soundless through the brush. I hunt for the one who disturbs our peace. He is my father's enemy, Apep. He slithered through the grass to spread his poison. Not hex nor incantation would stop his wrath. Father was getting old and could no longer protect himself from Apep. His serpents grew stronger as the days past. He hid in the horizon waiting for the cover of dusk. Set came to Mehen, Serket, Maahes, Shu and I. He asked for our assistance, our power. Thunderstorms and earthquakes shook the land in fury. Our struggle was endless and futile, yet none of us ever thought of handing over our victory. Father's hatred and pain became ours. We fought till we bled, we bled till we died. "Awake! May you be alert as a living one, rejuvenated every day, healthy in millions of occasions of good sleep, while the gods protect you, protection being around you every day." His priests sang with hope and confidence. I enjoyed the rest I was granted while they sang. Their songs were not for me, but for Ptah. His power and gifts are true, but how mankind can see him as their creator I will never understand. He had interest in those of war and battle, Sekhmet was an obvious hint at that. So many times have our identities been switched it is enough to drive one mad. She is of the north, and I of the east. A simple understanding of that would ease this pain in my temple. But I do understand their confusion as we are the only warrior goddesses. But it infuriates me how I am seen as the lesser warrior. When was last time that someone has seen her hold her ground with teeth and claws bare? She is simply a statue. But if one were to hear these unspoken words I would be in deep regret. In truth I carry no wish for someone to endure this battle and pain. The only place that I am safe now is deep within my chest…

"Eleanor! Come back!"

 **Thank you everyone who has read up to this point! For the first person to comment I will dedicate this chapter to them. Happy reading :)