“Because, out of all the goddesses, they’re the one who can control ghouls.” Osiris turned his gaze away from Anubis and looked at Star. “I also think it would be good for you to introduce them to your mate.”
“No,” Anubis said. “Nephthys will have no part in my life. And I can't believe you would ask me to see them.” Anubis huffed and walked away.
“He really is a stubborn child,” Osiris tsked, looking at Star. “Convince him to see Nephthys.”
“Why? I won't do it unless you give me a good reason.”
“Just do it.” Osiris sighed and disappeared.
Star looked at the empty spot, wondering what had just happened. He shook his head and followed Anubis, wondering why he felt a little different suddenly. Brushing off the feeling, he thought about what he could say to convince Anubis to see Nephthys.
* * *
“So, what do you think?”Tanji Cuttler asked Anubis.
"It's a good script.” Anubis set the packet down on the table. “But like I told you the last time we met, I'm not interested in producing anyone else’s work unless I get to pick my own cast.”
A few months back, Anubis had met with Tanji Cuttler, a director who had won an acclaimed award for directing the action-thrillerOmega Protocola few years back before dropping off the radar. A few months ago, Anubis had one of his people search for information on what happened to Tanji Cuttler after the young director contacted him. Anubis had been wondering why Tanji had wanted to meet him when he had made a killing with his last movie.
Not only that, he figured with the amount of money Tanji made from his first movie, everyone in Hollywood would be clamoring to work with him. However, looking at his appearance, Anubis could guess what had happened. He’d partied hard and spent everything on his indulgences. Now he was looking to get back in the spotlight, seeking investors for a new movie,Inferno Rampage, another action-thriller about a cop with a shady background on the hunt for a serial killer who killed his family. The plot was intriguing, but Anubis felt there could be more to it. If he agreed to work with Tanji, as always, he would want to make a few changes to the script, partly because he could see himself playing a role in the movie, and he would definitely make it happen.
“I thought about what you said.” Tanji sighed. “And if it will get my movie made, I'll adhere to whatever you want.”
Anubis quirked a brow. “Really? Why?”
“I need the money,” he said, picking up his glass with shaky hands.
Anubis sighed and shook his head. He'd seen things like this before and knew what kind of sickness Tanji had. Addiction was a sickness that sometimes not even gods could escape. Whether it was to drugs, alcohol, or power, everyone was subjected to a weakness. Seeing Tanji like this reminded him of his Star and the life he had lived in the past. His fingers curled in anger, and he realized he hadn't done enough to make Thornton Miller and Sundi Noxx pay for their crimes.
Sure, he couldn't do anything to the ones who lived in this world, but the souls of the dead were something different. He was Anubis, the judger of souls, and their doppelganger souls had yet to pay for their crimes. Unfair as it might be, Anubis never claimed to be a good person. In fact, he was just as maniacal as any god who would destroy the world for greed or the ones they cared about. He knew their sight agitated his boy and planned to ensure they could not darken his eyes. A smile crossed his lips. He hadn't given Star a mating gift he deemed worthy, and buying a new entertainment company sounded perfect.
A crashing sound pulled Anubis back to his senses, and he looked at Tanji, noticing the water glass had slipped from his shaky hands. Tanji stood hurriedly and started apologizing, bending to pick up the broken glass, but a server came over and stopped him, quickly vanishing the mess away. Tanji looked in shock, as if he didn’t know magic, but the man was a shifter who had fallen on hard times. Anubis didn't say anything or respond; all he could think about was Star, and he wondered if anyone in his previous life had helped him when he hit rock bottom. Anubis couldn't help Star then, but he could help someone in a similar situation.
“Sit down, Tanji.” The man quickly obeyed and stared at Anubis with shameful but submissive eyes. “I'll fund your movie with the previous terms we discussed. I will choose the cast. You will have your say in the main lead.” Tanji's face lit up, but it became sad after Anubis's next words. “However, you won't get a penny unless you get clean.”
“It's hard,” Tanji whispered in a trembling voice. “I've tried before.”
“So you're just going to give up?” Anubis snapped.
“I don't want to get clean. But what am I supposed to do?”
“I have a plan. You should thank my forever one for what I'm about to do.” Anubis pulled out his phone and called the one person he knew who could help Tanji get clean. “Sobek, I need your help,” he said when the line was picked up.
“Tell me what you need,” Sobek said, not questioning what Anubis needed. Anubis smiled. “Meet me at Aetherbane Bistro, and I'll tell you everything.”
“Okay, I'll be there in twenty minutes.”
Anubis hung up and looked at Tanji, who was staring at him as if he was his hero. “Don't look at me like that. If my lover discovers another man is lusting after me, you will be in danger.”
“Who? Who is your lover?”
Anubis smiled. “Someone who will be in your next movie.”
“Oh,” Tanji said, and the two remained silent until Sobek arrived.
After explaining everything to Sobek, Anubis paid the bill and left, knowing his cousin would take care of everything. When he walked out of the restaurant, Anubis pulled up the collar of his coat and placed his fedora on his head, running a finger along the rim, smiling. He decided to take a walk toward the jewelry store. It had been a while since he bought Star some new diamonds. He hadn't been far from the store, but Anubis stopped walking when he felt eyes following him. Anubis scanned the area and froze when he spotted someone he hadn’t seen since he was the king of Egypt.
Nephthys or Dark Raven to those who feared them. But to Anubis, they were a nuisance.
