I bang my head against the hard earth and grunt. Stars explode in front of my eyes like a second night sky opening up.
Pain explodes through me, but I push through it when I hear my brother cry out.
I call to my rats in desperation. Unlike Bloods, animals have never let me down.
By the Power, my noble whiskered friends, protect my brother.
The rats skitter in a furry sea around Lazarus. Their bodies heave in dangerous, furiously hissing waves.
I shove myself to my knees, raising my hands.
A monstrous darkness rises inside me, screaming my agony and fear. It feeds on it, swelling fat and hungry.
I am the legendarymonster prince.
Generations of animalists with The Power live on in my blood; I feel them now, united with me for the first time.
Shadows rise up, tar-like. They swell out from me, as my Alpha pheromones become deeper and more dominant.
My eyes glow in the dark. My waist length hair flows around me, coated in shadows.
I straighten my shoulders, trying not to show my terror. I can’t hide the unhinged rage, however, which isn’t all mine but belongs to the spirits of my ancestors who swirl around me like smoke.
A woman stalks from the shadows of the pyramids.
I am shocked by her sweet lotus scent because she is an Omega, but she isn’t backing down from my furious bursts of Alpha pheromones.
Instead, she looks amused.
She is tall and stately, dressed in a long dress that trails along the ground behind her. The dress is entirely made up of red ribbons that weave around her serpent-like, as if they are alive.
Her face is covered by a veil that masks her eyes. I can only see her lips that are painted with a slash of red like a wound.
Her fangs are unusually long and curved.
I have no idea how old she is: She could be Mother’s age or ancient.
So, this is the High Priestess, Nebet, of the Scarlet Temple.
My skin crawls.
Her magic makes my shadows recoil.
I bare my fangs at her.
“I do enjoy a hunt.” Nebet’s voice is seductive but cruel. “How entertaining. I wish that I had been able to play with princes before now.”
“Eat burning poison,” I snarl. “Ribbons aren’t my style of play. I prefer daggers.”
Nebet’s smile dies. “It appears that no one has taught you manners yet. I will enjoy teaching you. Also, with all your pretty hair, you truly should be wearing ribbons. I shall improve how you dress. Don’t worry, princeling, you shall have as many daggers as your dark heart desires.”
“Lan,” Lazarus’ eyes are wide with fear, “we’re not going with her, right?”
I narrow my eyes. “Right.”
I shove myself to my feet, squaring my shoulders.
Nebet towers over me, but the possessive way that she is looking at my brother is enough to surge rage through me.
