“Don't worry; I can handle anything Azazel throws at me.”
“I don't doubt it.” Sobek smiled.
Anubis removed the magical barrier and ordered dessert for them both. Sobek ordered cream puffs, and even though he wasn't much for sweets, Anubis got a crème brûlée that tasted like heaven with every bite.
* * *
Star stopped walkingand leaned against a pole, looking at the dark water. It fit his mood. However, he couldn’t deny that something majestic about the moon called to him. It had an alluring, almost hypnotizing pull, and he wanted to roll around in its splendor, hoping to gain its acceptance. Star chuckled at his silly thought. In his previous life, he had been so out of things, he never took the time to notice the moon or anything else.
“Beautiful night, isn’t it?”
Star followed the voice and connected eyes with a gorgeous woman with a brown complexion that matched her brown-gold eyes. Her make-up was elegantly done, and it complemented her dark blue dress. Star wasn’t sure why he took notice of her features, but something about her reminded him of the moon and the dark water. If Star were rude, he would pretend he hadn’t heard her. However, before they died, his parents taught him manners.
“Yes, it is,” he responded.
“Did you know, full moons are when magic is at its peak?”
Star didn’t consider magic real, so he didn’t respond.
“You seem to doubt my words, young one, but what I say is true. I see you have been touched by magic.” She gently laid a hand on Star’s right shoulder, and he felt a cold sensation, as if he were walking through the arctic without any clothes on, and just like that, she was gone, giving Star the feeling that she was a figment of his imagination.
What a weird woman. Beautiful but weird.
Chapter Seven
ANUBIS
In the wee hours of the morning, when the moon was at its fullest and brightest, Anubis stood on the top of the Valleywood Overpass bridge. It was a new favorite spot in the city. From this position, he could observe the residents, easily spotting the night owls, partygoers, those on their way to and from work, and especially those sneaky-links on their way to or from a late-night booty call. There were even a couple of insomniacs running or walking on the partially finished bridge, hoping the exercise would tire them out.
Even if he hadn't chosen the time to perform his suggestion magic, he would’ve been in his office either working on a new script or going through edits on some project he’d directed weeks or months ago. Although he was powerful, he and all the other gods were not that different from their worshipers and dealt with mental and physical issues that couldn't quickly be snapped away with magic. Like mortals, gods had desires; they craved money, power, and love. Anubis scoffed—love.
No, let’s not lose focus on why I’m here.
Shaking off the melancholy, Anubis closed his eyes, feeling the wind ruffling his hair and his trench coat billowing around him, giving him the most peaceful vibe he’d felt in a long time. Holding out his hands, he could sense his magic connecting with Valleywood's. It was drawn to him like a moth to a flame, seeking refuge, but he didn't let it overtake him because he could also feel Loki's power lurking below the surface.
Loki's magic was potent, but it was unstable, and it made Anubis understand the recent changes that Azazel and Loki were making, especially with the new magical districts. It would be good for the town if Odin gave Loki his powers back, but that would leave Valleywood in worse shape than before. However concerned Anubis was for Valleywood, he had to put the issue aside for now.
As much as he disliked Loki, Anubis was enjoying his life in the magical city. So, against his better judgment, he would help the mischievous god regain his powers without putting the town and its residents in danger. But until then, he had things to take care of. Taking a deep breath, Anubis opened his eyes, and with a slight turn of his fingers, he released some of his powers. After a few minutes, a thick fog descended over the entire city and most of the lake.
He didn’t need to say a complicated spell. The dense smoke was the easiest way for his suggestions to enter the subconscious dreams and thoughts of the mortals, supernaturals, and gods who were susceptible to suggestion magic. But Anubis was confident in his powers. He could go overboard with his mind manipulation but would rather stay within a particular boundary. Leaving his magic to do its job, Anubis teleported away. There was more work to be done.
* * *
Star curledup and burrowed himself deep into the covers as a delightful purr escaped his lips. He was having the sweetest dream and didn’t want to wake up, but his consciousness kept forcing him awake. He wanted to stay in his dreamland, where the sexy man he'd seen in the restaurant was doing wicked and delicious things to his body, rewarding him for being a good boy. In his dream, the handsome man’s voice was deep and sultry, making it hard for Star to disobey any order he was given. Star groaned and covered his ears, disliking the sound of his phone ringing. Yet as soon as it started, it stopped.
Maybe it was Tanner reminding me of our lunch meet-up.
He’d gotten back to the apartment late last night. But rather than taking a cab home, he walked since it was such a pleasant night, and the bright and whole moon seemed to call out to him, making him want to bask in its presence. Also, since he saw the gorgeous man in the restaurant, his body hadn’t calmed down. He thought the walk would help, but it didn’t. Before bed, Star took an ice-cold shower, which seemed to help more than the walk home. He also opened the living room windows to let air and moonlight into the room.
However, during the night, his body burned with heat. He kicked off the blankets, tearing off his clothes and could only fall back to sleep for what seemed like a couple of minutes, before he was awoken by a scream echoing in the air. Before he could figure out who or where it came from, he was attacked with the worst agony imaginable. It felt like his bones were contorting and reshaping themselves as his skin stretched and tore apart. He wanted to cry out for help, but all he could manage were whimpered as he buried his face in his pillows. Minutes after the pain started, it slowly faded away, taking all his energy and pulling him back into a deep slumber, which was when the handsome man appeared in his dream.
Ping. Hearing the alert from his cell phone informing him he had a message, Star figured it was time he got out of bed and did what he needed to take care of before meeting up with Tanner for lunch. He dazedly sat up, yawning wide as he scratched behind his ear, turning his yawn into a delightful purr.
“Oh yeah, that's the spot.” Feeling content, Star stretched out and rolled around in his makeshift bed. He played for a bit, then stopped when he realized something was seriously off and not in a small way. He tried sitting up but realized he was tangled in the sheets and had to fight his way loose, tumbling to the floor.
“Ouch,” Star shouted in pain when he fell on his ass. “Fuck, that hurt like a bitch.” Star stopped talking when he heard a cat meowing.
Why the hell do I hear a cat?
