Just in case.
He felt a certain…rage…at all Sutekh’s sons. They
had no idea the gift that had been given them, the
honor, the power, the beauty of what they were. He,
Gahiji, had been made a soul reaper, his human body
strengthened and transformed, but it could never
compare to the gift they had been given. They were
Sutekh’ssons,fruit of his loins. The gifted. The chosen.
However powerful Gahiji was, they were more so. A
part of him hated them for that.
At length, Gahiji led Abasi Abubakar into the
chamber. Sutekh’s manner was different now. He was
reserved, quiet, making no effort to put the supplicant at
ease.
“Master,” the High Reverend whispered, and threw
himself to the ground, his fingers reaching for the tips
of Sutekh’s toes, close, but not touching. That would
be beyond brave.
The High Reverend was weeping, his shoulders
shaking, and when Sutekh bid him “Rise,” he managed
28
SINS OF THE HEART
only to lift his face from the floor, his expression one
of fanatic’s joy.
Sutekh cut a glance at Gahiji, who moved forward
to close his meaty hand around the supplicant’s upper
arm and help him to his knees.
“Speak,” Sutekh urged, his voice gentle.
Abasi glanced at Gahiji, and his brow drew tight in
a frown. Then his head jerked up as he spied Lokan,
