Ancient Hunger: A Modern Mythos

4

4

Li and Naram arrived near closing when Enzu was inking a vine around a woman's calf. They did not say a word, but he could hear their stuttered breathing. Enzu realized that they did not know that this was how he managed to control his affliction and certainly they had enough experience controlling theirs, though this seemed a bit much for them. He wondered how their curse manifested itself. When he was on the last leaf of the vine, he paused, remembering Tristan's blood on his tongue, and realizing that maybe the blood was a problem for them. He finished up the tattoo and contemplated the ramifications of that. He spent a moment explaining aftercare to his client as they walked to the register. After locking up and turning out the lights, he led Li and Naram upstairs.

Enzu offered drinks and they settled around the table on the deck. The evening was warm, almost uncomfortably so, but the moon was nearly full and breathtaking. No one had ever been in his living quarters besides Tristan, and he was not set up to entertain.

Enzu had many questions, but he stayed silent and allowed himself to unashamedly study the two men. It was too dark to really appreciate the view of the hills, but they could see the lights of downtown even with the moon. It was much nicer than just a month ago, when summer was showing no signs of ebbing. Enzu could not smell the subtle shift in the air as the leaves changed, but he knew it was not too far off. It was his favorite time of year.

Naram and Li still seemed a bit uncomfortable and Enzu wondered if he should inquire about the blood. He opened his mouth to speak, but Li spoke first. “Tell us about...Tristan, is it?”

Enzu nodded. “I do not really know much. She came in last week to get the Ishtar tattoo. I do not remember everything, but as I was finishing up, this last droplet of blood welled up, and I...my brain just sort of...split? Anyway, half of me wanted the blood and half of me was able to resist. I...blacked out, woke up, and Tristan did not stand a chance.”

Li looked at Naram, but his eyes strayed toward Enzu again. “Just sex, though? Anything else?”

“Just sex. It has gotten easier. I can still feel it, but it is not so overwhelming. I must have had a breaking point and it was triggered somehow.” Enzu shrugged.

Naram was able to meet Li's eyes briefly. Enzu was not sure what kind of look passed between the two. Li looked back at Enzu. “We think it has something to do with the tattoo, but we are not exactly sure how.”

Enzu shook his head slightly. He thought that was a bit of a stretch. “I felt something when she walked in. I was unsettled instantly.”

Li frowned. “Is she the only one who has ever...had that effect on you?”

Enzu nodded. “She still does. It has calmed some, but I can feel it, right under the surface.”

“We unfortunately do not have a font of experience from which to cull.” Naram said carefully with a bit of irritation coming through. “We assumed it was the tattoo and the letting of the blood that somehow changed our normal...perception of her.”

Enzu opened his mouth, but he was uncertain. He looked up and both men were looking at him expectantly. “She dreamed of Ishtar last night. Said that I was the son of her most devoted. And that she was the vessel and I was to be their consort.”

Li's eyes were wide, but Naram looked at him with a calculated gaze. He spoke deliberately. “Enheduanna.”

“What?” Enzu whispered.

“Enheduanna.” He enunciated as clearly as possible. He looked like he was on the edge of a revelation. “She was Ishtar's most devoted. A priestess. I was not aware that she had any children.”