father’s words to another deity. But not today. Today,
he sat in his father’s shadow, watching, listening.
Learning.
Though they dared not ask outright, Gahiji knew
there were those in the Underworld who wondered at
Sutekh’s political hierarchy, wondered why it was the
youngest son and not the oldest who sat at Sutekh’s
hand. The truth was simplicity itself. The Lord of
Chaos preferred to train the son who was eager to be
trained, who chose this role and reveled in it. Lokan
was a born politician, his father’s son in so many ways.
At a slight nod from Sutekh, Lokan leaned forward
so his forearms rested on his thighs, and asked, “How
did Abasi Abubakar accomplish this?”
24
SINS OF THE HEART
“He chose six innocents and killed them, face-toface, slowly, with a ceremonial dagger. With each
death, he absorbed the evil of his actions, allowing his
darksoul to feed. Then he chanted and prayed and
begged for a soul reaper to come to him.”
“Innovative.” Lokan leaned back in his chair,
posture upright once more. “But soul reapers do not
answer human summons.”
“No, they do not. And humans do not forfeit their
lives for a mere conversation. Not even one with me.”
There was no scorn in Sutekh’s tone. He was thinking,
mulling over the information. It was his way. Listen.
Evaluate. Understand. See the reasons and ramifications. Sutekh never acted in haste. At length, he asked,
“And when no soul reaper came to the High Reverend?”
“He continued to beseech and pray, eating nothing,
